Measuring Digital Maturity in the CNC Manufacturing Industry : A Maturity Evaluation Model

Abstract: The manufacturing industry stands before the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, caused by fast-changing technology and implementation of digitalization. Manufacturing companies need to realize and adapt to these changes to maintain their competitive advantage. Many of the companies in the industry struggle to understand how to start their transformation and what benefits are connected to their workshops. To aid in this complex situation there are maturity models developed to assist companies in this transformation.Sandvik Coromant are one of the biggest companies within the metal cutting manufacturing industry and they want to aid their customers on the digitalization transformation journey by developing a maturity evaluation model. There is currently no model on the market aimed at the CNC manufacturing industry and earlier research have identified that existing models are ill-fitting towards small and medium enterprises. Therefore, this thesis aimed at investigating how the CNC manufacturing industry can benefit from digitalization and to develop a maturity model by answering the following research question, “How should a maturity model be structured in order to provide companies of all scales and in all segments within CNC manufacturing with information regarding how to move forward on their digitalization journey?”The maturity model was developed through an extensive literature search and an iterative process with focus on the users of the model. A total of 28 initial interviews were performed that lead up to six concept iterations assessed by 27 concept tests. The finalized maturity model evaluates a company through questions regarding the current and future target state within 4 dimensions, Data collection, Data analysis, Software and Employees & Competences. By answering these questions, the company is provided with a radar chart displaying their current and future state in relation to each other and to a benchmark company. They are further provided with stories from similar companies aimed at contributing with suggestions for how to move forward in their transformation. The model structure and questions are developed to suit companies of all scales and within all segments of the CNC manufacturing industry.