A conceptual method to evaluate relative instructional efficiencies of case studies in product platform planning

Considering the relevance of planning product families in today's industry, it is important to incorporate it in the education system. Therefore, in our previous work, we developed an online resource including a set of three cases, a tutorial, and glossary to present the principles of product family planning. The cases present information in the form of function diagrams, assembly diagrams, customer needs and market-segment data. In addition, they have been designed to provide different product platform assignments at an increasing level of complexity. This paper presents a conceptual methodology to evaluate the instructional efficiencies of the case studies. It involves users' overall experience with the learning tool. Particularly, the characteristics that could impact the tool total efficiency, such as assignment appropriateness, presentation clarity and effectiveness, are included. A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is developed for the relativity evaluation. A major outcome of this research is providing a conceptual map and tool for an improved understanding of relative instructional efficiencies of the learning activities for product platform planning. Furthermore, it is envisioned that it will contribute in terms of developing effective instructional design activities with the simultaneous considerations of students' learning efficiencies.