Exploration et amélioration de la gestion de l’obsolescence technologique pour des performances accrues et une chaine logistique durable

Abstract

Due to a highly competitive and rapidly changing market, electronic components are evolving faster than the estimated lifespan of most of the equipment and systems that contain them. This exposes them to the risk of technological obsolescence. This is a significant factor that disrupts organizations and the performance of their manufacturing systems, particularly their supply chains. The issue of technological obsolescence is receiving increasing attention, especially in complex systems where the gap between lifecycles is greater. Between components with lifecycles of 24 to 60 months and systems with lifecycles of 30 to 50 years, the difference is substantial, and the risk of obsolescence is unavoidable not only in technology but also in knowledge, skills, tools, and materials. This risk must be closely monitored and managed sustainably. The objective of the CRIAQ-LEAN-501-T6 project is to explore the risk of obsolescence and improve its management. This research, part of the aforementioned project, aims to explore the impact of obsolescence on organizational performances and to manage it ethically, considering the four dimensions of sustainable development. Starting with an industrial need in the avionics sector, the first step in addressing this problem is to explore the issues and challenges of technological obsolescence in electronic components and equipment and to demonstrate its potential impact on organizational performance through a case study. To establish a sustainable supply chain while mitigating obsolescence, the link between component obsolescence and the production of waste from electronic and electrical equipment was investigated. After assessing the potential impact, the next step focuses on improving and controlling the obsolescence management system to implement more sustainable resolution strategies. Based on the design science methodology, a maturity model was developed and validated with an industrial application. The CMMI-based maturity model was designed to measure and continuously improve the obsolescence management process. In parallel, a specific case of process obsolescence was solved with a multicriteria methodology enhanced by a machine-learning model that combines design science and case studies. Finally, a multi criteria decision model, including economic, technological, social, and environmental criteria, was developed to evaluate all available resolution strategies for addressing the problem sustainably and ethically. The main impacted performance indicators were considered in the design of a decision-making model for obsolescence resolution to ensure the sustainable development of the manufacturing system. Consequently, the study showed that technological obsolescence is a critical disruption in the system’s lifecycle. It disrupts projects, causes schedule delays, generates significant costs, and produces harmful waste from electrical and electronic equipment. This impact could be mitigated through more sustainable decision making.

Date	24 Mar 2026
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Yvan Beauregard (Supervisor) & Marc Paquet (Co-supervisor)