To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2008.12.011 Byline: Francois Geiskopf, Virginie Goepp, Francois Kiefer, Emmanuel Caillaud Keywords: Manufacturing strategy analysis; Manufacturing system design; Process improvement; Problem handling Abstract: This paper introduces an interface between manufacturing strategy analysis (MSA) and manufacturing system design (MSD). MSA methods are not accurate enough to assess the manufacturing design choices. MSD requires functional-oriented scopes, and not only strategic initiatives resulting from MSA. That is why MSA and MSD must be interfaced. The proposed interface consists in the Model of Operational Manufacturing System, the evolution class framework, the model of problem and the problem handling procedure using these models. They point out the proposed detailed evolution classes (domains which have to be improved) adapted to a specific manufacturing system. Finally, the proposal is illustrated within an industrial case study, which underlines its efficiency. Author Affiliation: Laboratoire du Genie de la Conception, INSA STRASBOURG, 24, Boulevard de la Victoire, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France Article History: Received 2 June 2005; Revised 13 December 2006; Accepted 10 December 2008