Framework to evaluate manufacturing capability using analytical hierarchy process

Manufacturing capability of a firm is given by the level of output generated by the production system employed which in turn decides the competitiveness in the market. The pattern of structural and infrastructural decisions in the manufacturing affects the capability of the production system. Therefore, it is crucial to know the overall manufacturing capability of a firm and the contribution of each decision in it. This paper presents quantification of manufacturing capability based on multi-criteria approach. A total of 33 decisions (criteria) and their corresponding choices have been identified from the literature analysis to quantify the manufacturing capability. These decisions are then classified into six decision areas (group criteria), and the manufacturing capability evaluation problem is modeled by using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) framework. The approach facilitates computation of manufacturing capability index by evaluating the decisions taken in the manufacturing, which is then mapped into four levels, namely, infant, industry average, adult, and world class as proposed by the Miltenburg. The methodology is illustrated with a numerical example for a job shop manufacturing system.