CODP positioning based on extension superiority evaluation model

The mass customization production consists of two stages: the initial make-to-stock phase which is driven by the forecast and the final make-to-order phase which is driven by order. Customer order decoupling point (CODP) is the point which differentiates order-driven flow and forecast-driven flow in mass customization. Reasonable positioning of CODP is difficult and also important for effective implementation mass customization. The influence factors and their mechanism to CODP is analyzed from such four aspects as: market, product, production, and resource. Both the reason and effect of CODP upstream and downstream shift are studied. Then, the extension theory is introduced, and the extension superiority evaluation model is established to select the right decoupling point. Finally, the extension superiority evaluation model is verified with an application case in one China air conditioner company.