# A Novel Methodology for Assessing and Modeling Manufacturing Processes
## 4 Discussion
Static analysis: This consists of mapping of the production flow, determining the manufacturing process (input areas, process parameters, and output areas), classifying areas and factors into normal, relevant, and indispensable areas or factors, identifying the product and its quality characteristics (functionalities of the final product and value-added to the end customer), relating areas and factors of the manufacturing process with product functionalities, and associating areas and factors with organizational structure. 2. Dynamic analysis: This is an analysis of the manufacturing process to determine operational limitations for sustainable operations. This can be performed with real data and/or with iterative simulation of the manufacturing systems. This step defines how the system determines the decisions and actions over time. Moreover, it helps to identify all potential disturbances or variability sources of the areas and factors. 3. Bottleneck resource identification for manufacturing system goals: The conceptual model can be used as series with parallel elements and expected availabilities that can be applied for managing and planning purposes, as well as identify the production output efficiency and the associated risks. Moreover, by applying predictive analytics and maintenance based on real data, the availability values can increase their accuracy. Taking into account the goals and the impact level of the different variability sources, priorities can be defined. For instance, if information availability is only secure at 80% due to IT systems disruption while the availability of all other areas is ensured at 99%, then all other areas are wasting resources from 80% to 99%. 4. After determining which resource areas and factors need to be improved, the next step is to identify which measures can be applied to improve the bottleneck resources to satisfy the manufacturing system goals. The measures can be classified in four different types:  
Figure 5: Methodology to assess and improve manufacturing systems (own elaboration). Quality measures, such as quality management and control methods and systems; Maintenance measures, such as maintenance management and control methods and systems; Production logistics measures, such as production management and control methods and systems; Improving resource areas and their capabilities: money, information, material, energy, personnel, and capital equipment. 5. The impact of the measures on the required time and economic efforts is determined, and an analysis of risks of their implementation for the global manufacturing system is conducted. After this analysis, decisions are to be made, and the measures are to be defined. 6. An implementation plan, including communication and training, is initiated. 7. It is necessary to plan how the new measures and their interrelationships within the system will be managed and controlled. All these steps are combined with sensors, simulations, and a manufacturing system digital twin with all areas, factors, parameters, and interrelationships. Moreover, by adding condition monitoring at the different levels of the network, plant, production line, manufacturing cell, and machine, transparency can be achieved, enabling quick identification of the system state, bottlenecks, and potential measures and risks for improvement, which facilitates progress toward achieving manufacturing system goals.