Optimisation of product realisation processes

Product development is the most critical success factor for manufacturing industry. Many means have been created to support single tasks of product realisation and improvement approaches are concentrated on single phases or only partial aspects of the process. However, effective planning and an optimal process definition requires to adjust optimisation activities to the entire process. Currently, existing methods and tools for process modelling and optimisation do not support this comprehensive approach in an adequate way. The authors describe the importance of appropriate models of product development processes and discuss their application. Simulation has proven to be an effective means to analyse and optimise highly dynamic systems and processes. The product development process in its entirety will be object of interest, weak points can be identified and optimised flows of combined, interrelated processes can be derived. The result are product development processes which secure and increase the success of the enterprise.