Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is important information that is useful for decision making affecting complex engineering systems with extended life. Uncertainty in the estimation of LCC, especially in the early concept and definition stage, has great influence on the robustness of such decisions....

Discusses the derivation of current changeover improvement methodologies from the work of the Japanese engineer/consultant Shigeo Shingo. Argues that under the interpretation and widespread adoption of the single minute exchange of dies (SMED) philosophy, substantive design‐based solutions are...