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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.

AI-supported variant management activities – insights from an industrial case study

Winger, Fionn (1); Müller, Benedikt (1); Roth, Daniel (1); Barciela Diaz-Blanco, Bruno (2); Elezi, Fatos (2); Kreimeyer, Matthias (1)

Type:
Papers
DS 145: Proceedings of the DESIGN2026 19th International Design Conference
Year:
2026
Editor:
Štorga, M.; Škec, S.; Martinec, T.; Marjanović, D.; Pavković, N.
Author:
Winger, Fionn (1); Müller, Benedikt (1); Roth, Daniel (1); Barciela Diaz-Blanco, Bruno (2); Elezi, Fatos (2); Kreimeyer, Matthias (1)
Series:
DESIGN
Institution:
1: Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design, University of Stuttgart, Germany; 2: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ORGANISATION MUST BE REMOVED IN ALL MATERIALS
Page(s):
2581-2590
DOI number:
10.1017/pds.2026.10616
ISSN:
2732-527X (Online)
Abstract:
Variant management faces increasing complexity that challenges traditional rule-based configuration approaches. This contribution explores how AI can support the generation of configuration rules (1) by comparing two solution concepts – a deterministic Python-based and an LLM-based approach. Following a structured early-stage AI system development methodology, the research investigates (2) how AI can be methodically integrated into variant management and (3) how implementation factors differ between both approaches. The results reveal distinct trade-offs between transparency and efficiency.
Keywords:
variant management, artificial intelligence (AI), case study, configuration management, large language model (LLM)
DESIGN2026 - The 19th International Design Conference
Conferences

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