Decision support for the implementation of Industry 4.0 methods: Toolbox, Assessment and Implementation Sequences for Industry 4.0

Abstract The economically successful implementation of Industry 4.0 methods in industrial companies requires a structured introduction process. The main objective of such a structured implementation process is the case-specific analysis and evaluation of available Industry 4.0 methods to select the most suitable ones for an individual company. The presented methodology aims to establish a financial, strategic, and benefit-oriented evaluation approach for Industry 4.0 methods to assess their potential. The core of our methodology is a general Industry 4.0 toolbox providing a structured classification of different methods. In the first phase, a limited set of Industry 4.0 methods is derived from the toolbox by classification into production typologies. In the second phase, all Industry 4.0 methods of the derived set are strategically assessed as well as evaluated from a monetary perspective. The evaluation of the methods is based on company-specific characteristics, its strategic focus, and its (market) environment. Based on this evaluation, we develop specific, value-adding implementation scenarios. In the third phase, the identified implementation scenarios with their specific order of prioritized methods are simulated in a System Dynamics model. The three phases ultimately result in a recommendation for a company-specific Industry 4.0 implementation roadmap.