A method is provided to facilitate configuration of one of a plurality of different
products from a set of components (TABLE 2) which can be selectively combined in
different ways to form a plurality of different component combinations that each
serve as a respective one of the products. An inventory list is prepared (191,
TABLE 2), and then a component information package is prepared (192, TABLE
3). A determination is then made (193, TABLE 4) as to whether each component
in the inventory list corresponds to one or more of first, second and third component
classes (TABLE 1) that are different. One or more criteria sets (196) are
then developed to define a plurality of criteria states which each correspond to
a valid combination of components from the second and/or third classes that represents
a respective product. Then, a flowchart is prepared (197, FIG. 8)
to diagrammatically represent the criteria set and the combinations of components
which correspond to the respective states of the criteria set.
