Variant management glossary:
the most important facts at a glance

Variant management is a powerful tool for managing the ever-growing product diversity while simultaneously meeting the individual needs of customers. But variant management also comes with its own technical language.

This glossary explains the most important terms related to variant management to help you get started in the world of individual product configuration.

Here you will learn the basics of variant configuration, the different approaches to variant management and the most important methods and tools.

With this knowledge, you are well equipped to master the challenges of variant management and reap the benefits for your company.

• Relationship knowledge

  Rule-based relationships with dependencies, conditions and procedures in the combination of characteristics and characteristic values. It defines which characteristic values are compatible with each other and which are mutually exclusive. This ensures that only sensible and technically feasible product variants can be configured.

• CAD-Systems
  Computer-aided design (CAD) systems are used to design and develop products. The integration of variant management in CAD systems enables the automated generation of design drawings and 3D models for different product variants. Changes to the product structure or configuration rules can be updated directly in the CAD system, resulting in significant time savings and error reduction.

• Class
  A class is a structuring aid that links the characteristics and characteristic values of a configurable product to the material master. A class usually has one or more characteristics. Within the class, different product properties can be defined using characteristics and characteristic values.

• Complexity management
  Complexity management is concerned with mastering the complexity that arises from a high variety of variants. Methods of complexity management in variant management include, for example, the standardization of components, the modularization of products and the development of platform strategies. The aim is to reduce the variety of variants and simplify processes without compromising flexibility and customer orientation.

• Configurator
  A configurator is a software that supports customers or sales staff in selecting and combining features and feature values to define a specific product variant. Configurators visualize the configuration options, check the selection for validity based on the configuration rules and generate information such as parts lists, prices or delivery times for the selected variant.

• Configuration model
  The configuration model represents the structure and relationships of the features and feature values of a product. It defines which features can be combined with each other and which dependencies exist between them.

• Configuration rules
  Configuration rules define the permissible combinations of characteristics and characteristic values and ensure that only valid and technically feasible product variants can be configured.

• Configurable product (CMat)
  A configurable product (CMat) is a material that is offered in different variants. It has a maximum parts list that contains all the parts required to manufacture all possible variants, as well as a maximum work plan that includes all possible work steps. The configuration selects the parts and work steps required for each variant.

• Costs management
  Variant diversity has a direct impact on costs. Effective cost management in variant management includes analyzing the cost factors that are influenced by variant diversity and developing strategies for cost optimization. Methods for cost optimization include standardizing components, modularizing products and value analysis.

• Material
  A material is a clearly defined article that has a material master with specific characteristics and is identified by a material number. The material establishes a connection to sales, materials management (purchasing and inventory management) as well as production planning and production control. Materials can be configurable products (so-called CMat) or parts list materials, such as raw, semi-finished or finished materials. The terms configurable material and configurable product can be used synonymously.

• Feature
  A feature describes a property of a configurable product. It can have different characteristics, which are represented by feature values.

• Feature value
  A feature usually has one or more characteristic values. These are the specifications of a feature and represent the selection options for a characteristic during variant configuration. The feature value therefore records possible features of a product that differentiate its properties at the feature level.

• Modularization
  Modularization is a concept in which a product is broken down into independent modules. These modules can then be flexibly combined to create different variants. Modularization enables a high degree of variant diversity while reducing complexity.

• Nomenclature
  A nomenclature is a system for the unique naming of objects, e.g. materials, features or documents. In variant management, a consistent nomenclature is important to ensure clarity and avoid errors.

• Platform strategy
  A platform strategy involves developing a common platform for different product variants. The platform contains the basic functions and components that are used by all variants.

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
  PLM systems are used to manage all product-related data throughout the entire product life cycle. They support variant management through the central storage and management of product structures, parts lists, configuration rules and documents.

• Product life cycle
  The product life cycle includes all phases from development to production and sales to service of a product. Variant management influences all phases of the product life cycle:
  • Development: Definition of possible variants, determination of configuration rules.
  • Production: Planning and controlling production processes for different variants.
  • Sales: Creation of offers and configuration of products according to customer requirements.
  • Service: Provision of services for different variants.

• Product structure
  A product structure forms a feature tree from the hierarchically arranged objects group, features and feature values, which serves similarly to a design parts list with extended options for the analysis, structuring and documentation of a product or assembly. It visualizes the product knowledge of products and components required in the configuration (product families, product views, product positions and kit groups as well as product variants, product position variants, kit heads and kit positions).

• Quality management
  Quality management in variant management includes all measures to ensure the quality of products with a high variety of variants. This includes defining quality standards, conducting tests and monitoring production processes.

• Set of rules
  The set of rules includes all configuration rules that define the permissible combinations of characteristics and characteristic values. It ensures that only valid and technically feasible product variants can be configured.

• Parts list
  The parts list describes all the individual parts of a configurable product with the quantities required to manufacture it. It indicates how many units of a specific individual part or assembly are required to produce the desired variants. It thus creates a functional connection between material and feature for the quotation or production process.

• Variant configuration
  Variant configuration is the process of selecting and combining characteristics and characteristic values to define a specific product variant.

• Variant management
  Variant management is a strategic approach that aims to plan, control and optimize the variety of possible product variants throughout the entire product life cycle.

• Variant planning
  Variant planning includes all activities necessary for planning and controlling the variety of variants in the company.