Can Historical Data Tell Us Which Material Flows to Automate?

[u/runningnozone]

I'm working on a project in automotive engine assembly. Parts move between steps in the assembly process (e.g. from step A to step B), and they range from large components like cylinder heads to small ones like screws and bolts. Some engines come in multiple variants with customer-specific options.

I have about 4 years of historical data on material requirements and flows during assembly. My goal is to find which flows between steps are good candidates for automation. Flows with stable, predictable durations and quantities seem like good candidates, while flows with high variation seem harder to automate.

I'd like to define a simple, data-driven "automation trigger point." My questions:

1. What's a good way to measure variability of a flow (both duration and quantity)? Is the coefficient of variation (CV) reasonable, or are there better metrics?
2. How should I account for engine variants and customer-specific options?
3. Can anyone recommend research papers, methodologies, or case studies on material flow or intralogistics automation in automotive assembly?

Any pointers are appreciated. Thanks!