Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Design of Product Architectures in Incrementally Developed Complex Products
Wyatt, David F.; Eckert, Claudia M.; Clarkson, P. John
Type:
Year:
2009
Editor:
Norell Bergendahl, M.; Grimheden, M.; Leifer, L.; Skogstad, P.; Lindemann, U.
Author:
Series:
ICED
Section:
Product and Systems Design
Page(s):
167-178
Abstract:
This paper seeks to understand how product architecture arises and influences the design process, using a case study of a UK-based diesel engine manufacturer. Product architecture is defined as a combination of functional and physical structure, including definitions of interfaces between components and spatial layout, at the overall product level. In the case study the minimisation of novelty was observed to be a major factor, causing the majority of the function structure and function-to-component mapping to be carried over from previous engines. New technologies are selected at an early stage without being integrated into complete engine concepts. Architecture-level decisions are then made implicitly when carrying over elements from previous products and when cascading product requirements to the component level. Elements of product architecture continue to be defined over much of the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, countering the expectation that product architecture should be defined during early design. These results suggest that support for product architecture design should take account of its incremental and extended nature.
Keywords:
