Methodology for the design and application of customized maturity models with consideration of the information uncertainty

Reifegradmodelle stellen ein stufenbasiertes Entwicklungsmodell eines spezifischen und quantitativ schwierig zu erfassenden Betrachtungsobjekts (z. B. Prozess, Produkt oder System) dar, um auf Basis qualitativ ausgelegter Indikatoren dessen Reifegradstufe zu ermitteln. Der Reifegrad repräsentiert dabei den Entwicklungsstand zu einem bestimmten Bewertungszeitpunkt. Derzeit verfügbare Reifegradmodelle sind entweder zu generell verfasst oder in ihrem Anwendungsbereich auf bestimmte Betrachtungsobjekte limitiert. Ebenso werden Informationsunsicherheiten wie die linguistische Unschärfe, die der Reifegradbewertung prinzipiell innewohnen, sowohl in bestehenden Reifegradmodellen als auch in den Vorgehensweisen zur Auslegung neuer Reifegradmodelle außen vor gelassen oder unzureichend berücksichtigt. Aufgrund dieser Defizite wurde eine Methodik zur Auslegung neuer Reifegradmodelle mit einem höheren Bezug zum Betrachtungsobjekt sowie valideren Reifegradaussagen durch die Berücksichtigung der Informationsunsicherheit konzipiert. Die Validierung der Methodik stellt durch Konstruktion und Applikation ein Reifegradmodell zur Bewertung und Verbesserung des Entwicklungsstands neuer Fertigungsprozesse der Umformtechnik bereit. Für eine effektive und effiziente Unterstützung des Anwenders in der Umsetzung der entworfenen Vorgehensweise wurde im Sinne eines Informations- und Assistenzsystems eine entsprechende datenbankbasierte Softwareapplikation realisiert.Maturity models are stage models of a specific and quantitatively difficult to examine object (e.g. process, product or system) to evaluate its maturity level on the basis of qualitative indicators. The maturity represents the development status at a particular valuation point. Currently available maturity models are either too general or limited in their area of application. In the same way information uncertainties like linguistic fuzziness are either disregarded or considered insufficiently, although these uncertainties are in principle inherent in the maturity assessment. Due to these shortcomings, a methodology for the design of new maturity models has been created. This approach enables a higher reference to the object of examination and thus more valid information about the maturity by taking into account the information uncertainty. The validation of the methodology provides a maturity model for assessing and improving the development status of new metal forming processes. For an effective and efficient support of users in the implementation of the created approach an appropriate database-supported software application has been realized as an information and assistance system

Maturity determination and information visualization of new forming processes considering uncertain indicator values

Operative or strategic decision-making during the development of novel objects is complicated and mostly based on fuzzy assumptions or uncertain information. Consideration of information uncertainty would enhance the reliability of any evaluation of the current development status of new objects. Decisions could be made with a higher safety. The development status equates to the maturity and is to be assessed by previously elicited indicators in relation to phase-dependent requirements. Within this paper, a reference-model based maturity method considering uncertain indicators is introduced for enabling the determination and assurance of the development status in a quantitative and systematic way. The method is applied within the development of a novel metal forming process namely the Sheet-Bulk Metal Forming, which aims to unite the advantages of sheet metal and bulk metal forming. Additionally techniques for visualizing the determined maturity value are proposed to support subsequent decision processes in the context of maturity assurance or improvement

Metrology-Base for scientific cognition and technical production

For understanding today's metrology a brief historical review is given, starting with the definition of units for trade and construction of buildings. Later on, industrial metrology is needed for the development of modern production processes and interchangeable manufacturing. In order to support the international exchange of goods and the development of precise manufacturing processes traceability of measurement results had to be established. Global trade as well as international companies profited from the standards to achieve lower costs for products from all over the world and simultaneously new measurement techniques were developed. The firstly defined two point-size-tolerances and measurements with simple measurement devices like calipers became soon insufficient. Together with the improvement of manufacturing processes and increasing demands for an economical way of production, advanced measurement techniques were found. In this overview, the development from tactile to optical measurement techniques with some important examples is shown in parallel with the development of standards. The requirements for today's manufacturing metrology methods as well as the role of measurement of geometrical quantities in industry and trade are derived and future trends are pointed out