ABC analysis

Activities

• Activity 1: Clarifying and itemising the problem or task
• Activity 2: Determining functions and their structures
• Activity 3: Searching for solution principles and their solutions
• Activity 5: Subdivision into modules - interface definitions
• Activity 6: Designing the modules
• Activity 7: Integrating the product as a whole
• Activity 8: Elaborating the details of execution and use

Necessary tools

• Spreadsheet program

Description

Method for organizing and easily classifying a set of objects. The focus is determined and transparency is created.

Procedure

1. Ask simple questions such as: Where are the most parts installed? Where can the highest weight or cost components be found? How often? Are certain optional assemblies sold to certain customers?
2. Arrange elements according to their characteristics
3. Elements with the largest specific proportions form class A (often around 20% of the elements with an 80% proportion of the target size) and the elements with the smallest proportions are class C (often around 50% of the elements with only 5% share of the target size)

Sources

• Lindemann 2009, p. 242
• VDI 2221 (1993)