Determination of manufacturing strategy using interpretive structural modeling

Abstract

The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology was applied as a tool for determination of optimal manufacturing strategy. For this purpose, a group of experts who had agreement to each other in their objectives and decisions about manufacturing strategy determination was selected and an algorithm containing seven steps was proposed. In the first step, improvable manufacturing capabilities of company (elements) were recognized. Then we made contextual relationships between the elements using the experts' opinions. In the next step, the reachability matrix was developed and driving and dependence powers of each element were calculated. After that, the reachability matrix was partitioned into different levels. Then related digraph was drawn, the ISM-based model extracted and related cluster of each element determined by drawing driving-dependence power diagram. The required time for performing each task was estimated by experts and the alternatives of action plans for improving elements were created using proposed rule related to each cluster. Finally, the related cluster of each element and the alternatives of action plans for improving elements were explained for experts. When the experts found desirable action plan and accepted the results, the algorithm was completed; otherwise, afore steps had to be repeated. We applied the algorithm for a case study.