Variation Modeling of Lean Manufacturing Performance Using Fuzzy Logic Based Quantitative Lean Index

Abstract

The lean index is the sum of weighted scores of performance variables that describe the lean manufacturing characteristics of a system. Various quantitative lean index models have been advanced for assessing lean manufacturing performance. These models are represented by deterministic variables and do not consider variation in manufacturing systems. In this article variation is modeled in a quantitative fuzzy logic based lean index and compared with traditional deterministic modeling. By simulating the lean index model for a manufacturing case it is found that the latter tend to under or overestimate performance and the former provides a more robust lean assessment.