Evaluating flexibility of alternative FMS designs - A comparative measure

Crucial for a successful implementation of FMS is the selection of the most appropriate system from available alternatives. To aid management in the decision-making process, a "measure" is proposed that ranks different competing FMS designs according to their inherent flexibility as they relate to the maximum flexibility possible stipulated by the state-of-the-art. In developing the proposed "measure", the attributes governing the flexibility of FMS major components are defined. A notion of "strings" representing alternative production routes for different products is set forth. The method allows the integration of the eight points of flexibility stated by Browne et al. (1984) into a single comprehensive flexibility indicator. An example is given to illustrate the method.