Nested Lifecycles: A Framework for Managing Diverse Product Lifespans in Smart Factories
Smart factories require a 'nested lifecycles' approach to effectively manage the varying lifespans of integrated digital technologies and assets.
Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology · 2022
Key Findings
- 01Smart factories comprise systems with assets and digital technologies possessing significantly different lifespans and innovation maturities.
- 02Existing PLM models are insufficient for managing the complexity of these varied lifespans, leading to a loss of clear end-of-life phase definition.
- 03The 'nested lifecycles' concept offers a systems perspective, acknowledging subsystems with different lifespans managed by various actors.
- 04A framework can be derived to strategize lifecycle management by clearly identifying and addressing nested lifecycles.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for smart factories, explicitly map out the lifecycles of all integrated components and plan for their interdependencies and varying end-of-life scenarios.
How to apply
When developing a new product or system for a smart factory, create a visual map showing the expected lifespans of each component, including software, hardware, and infrastructure, and plan for upgrades, replacements, and end-of-life disposal for each.
Project actions
- 01When researching a product, consider not just its own lifespan but also the lifespans of the technologies it interacts with.
- 02Think about how different components might become obsolete at different times and how this impacts the overall product's usability and maintenance.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a novel conceptual framework for a complex problem.
- +Addresses a gap in current PLM research concerning heterogeneous lifecycles.
Limitations
It can be challenging to find precise lifespan data for all components in a complex system, and actual lifespans can vary due to usage and maintenance.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability and validity are based on an integrative literature review, which synthesizes existing knowledge. The conceptual framework's validity would be further established through empirical testing and application in diverse industrial settings.
Think critically
How might the 'nested lifecycles' concept apply to consumer electronics, where software updates often have shorter lifespans than the hardware itself?
Design Principles
"Design for heterogeneous lifecycles: Acknowledge and plan for the diverse lifespans and obsolescence rates of components within a complex system."
Traditional Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) models struggle with the complexity of smart factories where components have disparate lifespans and innovation maturities. Understanding these 'nested lifecycles' is crucial for holistic asset management and strategic planning.
What This Means for Your Design
Imagine building a smart home. The smart bulbs might last 5 years, the smart thermostat 10 years, and the Wi-Fi router 7 years. You need a plan for when each part needs replacing, not just one plan for everything. This is like 'nested lifecycles' for factories.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference the 'nested lifecycles' concept when discussing the long-term viability and maintenance strategies of your design within a larger system.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2022). Nested Lifecycles-Improving the Visibility of Product Lifespans in Smart Factories. Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmtec.2022.837478 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/e55b7551-2bb3-4791-bb75-e1a2cc08c909/nested-lifecycles-a-framework-for-managing-diverse-product-lifespans-in-smart-factories
Paragraph starter
The concept of 'nested lifecycles' highlights the challenge of managing systems with components of varying lifespans, a critical consideration for smart factory environments. This research suggests that traditional lifecycle management models are insufficient, necessitating a more nuanced approach that acknowledges and plans for the distinct lifecycles of subsystems and their interdependencies.
Source
Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology
Nested Lifecycles-Improving the Visibility of Product Lifespans in Smart Factories
journal · 2022
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about nested lifecycles: a framework for managing diverse product lifespans in smart factories?
- When designing for smart factories, explicitly map out the lifecycles of all integrated components and plan for their interdependencies and varying end-of-life scenarios. Evidence: Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology (2022).
- Why does "Nested Lifecycles: A Framework for Managing Diverse Product Lifespans in Smart Factories" matter for design?
- Traditional Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) models struggle with the complexity of smart factories where components have disparate lifespans and innovation maturities. Understanding these 'nested lifecycles' is crucial for holistic asset management and strategic planning.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for smart factories, explicitly map out the lifecycles of all integrated components and plan for their interdependencies and varying end-of-life scenarios.
- What were the main findings?
- Smart factories comprise systems with assets and digital technologies possessing significantly different lifespans and innovation maturities.. Existing PLM models are insufficient for managing the complexity of these varied lifespans, leading to a loss of clear end-of-life phase definition.. The 'nested lifecycles' concept offers a systems perspective, acknowledging subsystems with different lifespans managed by various actors.. A framework can be derived to strategize lifecycle management by clearly identifying and addressing nested lifecycles.
- What research method was used?
- Integrative literature review and conceptual framework development..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2022 journal from Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product or system for a smart factory, create a visual map showing the expected lifespans of each component, including software, hardware, and infrastructure, and plan for upgrades, replacements, and end-of-life disposal for each.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is primarily theoretical and conceptual, requiring empirical validation. The framework's practical application may vary across different smart factory configurations.
- Is there evidence that smart factories affects design outcomes?
- Smart factories have many parts with different lifespans, and current management systems don't handle this well. The idea of 'nested lifecycles' helps to see and manage these different lifespans more effectively. Traditional Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) models struggle with the complexity of smart factories where Source: Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology (2022).
- Where does this nested lifecycles research apply?
- Smart factories and industrial asset management. It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
smart factories design research · evidence on smart factories · does smart factories improve design outcomes · nested lifecycles studies for designers · smart factories and nested lifecycles findings · innovation & design research evidence