System Optimization for Design Chain Based on Entropy Theory

As a special supply chain, design chain where product design and development information transfers is the development trend for product research and development (R&D). System optimization for design chain is an important problem for the academia and business circles. With entropy theory, time entropy, quality entropy and utility entropy were proposed. Mathematical model was given to optimize the order degree of design chain. A modified ant colony optimization was used to find the problem solutions. Case results show that design chain which consists of substantial organizations may be not the optimization form and its integration is necessary. Meantime, the results also show the validity for the proposed method.