strategic flexibility

This paper describes a process oriented method for the planning of versatile production as well as logistics systems. The authors demonstrate how the necessary structures, resources and management capacities can be calculated by using a simple six step planning procedure. Due to the numerous potential applications, the holistic approach as well as the relatively basic design it is possible to file planning results sorted. In doing so, factory designers can compare them easily with new challenges emerging. In combination with permanently available simulation models the process oriented planning procedure is a significant step towards permanent planning disposition.

Decisions regarding strategic flexibility are qualitative and complex. This article introduces an attempt to operationalize the construct of strategic flexibility. As a decision support tool for strategic flexibility management - a management of intentional change, it will be developed a qualitative performance-measurement-system. This tool will provide the user a deeper knowledge of relevant design parameters of strategic flexibility and their relations.