The logical square of goals

The primary objectives of production are known as the 'holy trinity' of cost, quality, and time. Typical measures to improve the achievement of one goal lead to a deterioration of goal achievement in the other goal dimensions. These goal contradictions are known as the dilemmas of material planning and scheduling or as the goal conflicts of production logistics. Since the times of mass production are gone, the product variety on offer has to be added to these production goals. The corresponding four goal dimensions - variability, quality, speed and economy - make up the goal system of production. The relationships between the four goal dimensions and the relevant goal conflicts can be depicted by the logical square of goals. Some experiences are shown in a case study.