THE NEED FOR FUNCTION PLATFORMS IN ENGINEER TO ORDER INDUSTRIES

Many industries base their innovations on product platforms. Platforms have predefined modularity with standardized interfaces. However, product platforms provide significant challenges to engineering industries that rely heavily on R&D, such as microlithography systems. Developing these systems depends on advanced technologies, that are still immature. Therefore, predefined modularity with standardized interfaces cannot be assumed. However, although platforms in the classical meaning cannot be achieved, this paper argues that function platforms offer a feasible alternative. In this paper, a longitudinal case study is described at a large engineer-to-order firm delivering microlithography systems. The study analyses the platform concept in practice together with the emerging use of function platforms. It studies how function platforms are developed and used, and specifically what happens in the stages before the development of a physical platform; the phase where interim (functional) modules are defined. It considers the process of forming the architecture of the functional modules and examines the potential of reusing the functional clustering principles. The paper focuses on methods that model and exemplify function platforms. This study broadens our understanding of function platform management. It exemplifies the dynamics of managing reuse and commonality in R&D based engineering industries. The evidence from the case study shows that function platforms allow nuanced design freeze, since the platform describes the functional elements that will remain stable within the development of a product family. Therefore, function platforms enhance change management of the functionality foreseen. Also, defining an up-front function platform helps to sustain the functional decoupling of the physical product architecture. The paper finalizes with conclusions and implications for industry