Aggregate analysis of manufacturing systems using system dynamics and ANP

Aggregate analysis in manufacturing system design is a useful approach to relegate the non-feasible alternatives at earlier stages. A reusable System Dynamics model and the Analytic Network Process is proposed for a rapid and strategically consistent decision-making. The SD model captures the causal relationships and interdependence of the factors that can be simulated while the ANP provides the preferences towards the performance objectives consistent to the strategic objectives. The basis for the SD and ANP is the Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) that shows the relevant relationships and feedbacks among the model parameters. The approach is exemplified via a case to select the best among competing system configurations. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.