The previous post about Data Models included a bit of a long winded discussion of why strict monolithic data models are not the alternative in the new paradigm. The main conclusion was that rather than focus on design of a strict data model for all of manufacturing lets step back and understand the problem that needs to be solved. The discussion is a bit theoretic and that is why I am compelled to go one level of detail deeper in an attempt to clarify some of the concepts.
What do we need to help us in the transformation journey to maturity, how can we achieve Visibility, Transparency, Predictive Capacity and Adaptability? We need to shift the thinking from "what is the correct data model?" to "what do we need to become predictive, and adaptable?". First of all we need more data, start digitizing your operation - the majority of the data we need is still on paper and diverse electronic documents and spreadsheets. Second, and this is the topic of this post, understand the inf
In my close to 30 years of studying the manufacturing domain it has become clear that there are just a few main and critical informational elements to a manufacturing operation. With that in mind I recommend an approach that uses generalization to help create transparency and interpretability but still allow for flexibility for specific use cases and varying degrees of complexity. The following generalization allows for a top down perspective into the complexity of a manufacturing operation.