produktmiksoptimalisering

Produktmiksoptimering, or product mix optimization, is a systematic approach to determine the best combination of products and their production, procurement, or inventory levels to maximize a stated objective—typically profit or revenue—while respecting constraints such as capacity, demand, costs, and inventory considerations.

Decision variables include quantities of each product to produce or stock, while the objective function commonly maximizes contribution margin or profit. Constraints cover production capacity (hours, machines), material availability, demand requirements, inventory targets, and service-level constraints. The technique accounts for cannibalization among products and substitution effects in demand.

Common methodologies include linear programming, mixed-integer programming, and other optimization or heuristic methods. Required data includes unit selling prices, variable costs, contribution margins, demand forecasts, production or material capacities, and inventory carrying costs.

Process steps: define products and time horizon; specify variables, objective, and constraints; solve the optimization model with appropriate software; interpret results, and perform sensitivity or scenario analyses to assess robustness to demand and cost variation.

Applications span manufacturing, retail assortment planning, and service lines. Benefits include improved profitability, better capacity utilization, and aligned product portfolios; limitations involve data quality, model risk, and the need for regular updates in dynamic markets.

See also: operations research, linear programming, portfolio optimization.