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.
The Impact of Packaging Interdependent Change Requests on ProjectLead Time
Naveed Ahmad, N.; Wynn, D.C.; Clarkson, P.J.
Type:
Year:
2010
Editor:
Wynn, D.C.; Kreimeyer, M.; Eben, K.; Maurer, M.; Lindemann, U.; Clarkson, P.J.
Author:
Section:
Requirements, Reviews and Change Management
Page(s):
293-306
Abstract:
In a complex product development environment with many interdependencies between concurrent design activities, changes occurring during a project can have significant knock-on consequences in due to the rework required. It is thus important to effectively manage change work as it arises, in order to minimise its impact on the project schedule.
To help understand how change requests can be most effectively managed in such environments, we explore the impact of batching change requests for concurrent execution. A simulation model is developed which simulates the processing of changes in batches and allows estimation of the impact of the redesign work on the overall project duration. Our model extends state-of-the art by considering how the scope of change requests overlap, such that batching reduces not only co-ordination overheads but also the absolute amount of work that must be done.
We show how the model can be used to help managers determine a change request batching policy that will be suitable for a particular product development environment, and compare our findings to other simulations in this area.
To help understand how change requests can be most effectively managed in such environments, we explore the impact of batching change requests for concurrent execution. A simulation model is developed which simulates the processing of changes in batches and allows estimation of the impact of the redesign work on the overall project duration. Our model extends state-of-the art by considering how the scope of change requests overlap, such that batching reduces not only co-ordination overheads but also the absolute amount of work that must be done.
We show how the model can be used to help managers determine a change request batching policy that will be suitable for a particular product development environment, and compare our findings to other simulations in this area.
Keywords:
