ABSTRACT
Learning curves, also known as manufacturing progress functions, are used extensively in business, science, technology, engineering, and industry to predict system performance over time. Although most of the early development and applications were in the area of production engineering, contemporary applications can be found in all areas of applications. Manufacturing, in particular, offers a fertile area for the application of learning curves. This chapter applies the concept of the half-life of learning curves to manufacturing technology project management. This is useful for predictive measures of manufacturing system performance. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for a quantity to diminish to half of its original size through natural processes. The approach of half-life computation provides an additional decision tool for researchers and practitioners in manufacturing. Derivation of the half-life equations of learning curves can reveal more about the properties of the various curves, with respect to the unique life-cycle property of manufacturing enterprises.
