Opening Up Design Methodology

in Qureshi, Ahmed Jawad; Gericke, Kilian; Blessing, Lucienne (Eds.) Proceedings of the International Workshop on the Future of Trans-Disciplinary Design 2013 (2013, June)

Contemporary product development has transformed from being mono-disciplinary to increasingly trans-disciplinary. Design problems often do not match the boundaries of a single discipline. The integrated ... [more ▼]

Contemporary product development has transformed from being mono-disciplinary to increasingly trans-disciplinary. Design problems often do not match the boundaries of a single discipline. The integrated use of tools, techniques, and methods, which are intended to support designers in their work, is a subject of design methodology. This paper presents a critique of the current state of design methodologies from a transdisciplinary perspective, and their in-dustrial uptake. A case for an open community based approach for design methodology is made that considers contexts and mind-sets and provides a plat-form for consolidating design methodology in a dynamic perspective. The paper particularly addresses the following research questions: What needs should be addressed in the further development of design methodology? What develop-ments are required to meet these needs? [less ▲]

Estimation and its Role in Engineering Design - An Introduction

in Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design (2009)

Estimation is assumed to be a relevant method for problem solving in product development due to the deficiencies in information availability and certainty, as well because of short resources. Nevertheless ... [more ▼]

Estimation is assumed to be a relevant method for problem solving in product development due to the deficiencies in information availability and certainty, as well because of short resources. Nevertheless estimation as a method is hardly mentioned in literature on product development nor is it part of engineering education. As a consequence good performance in estimation and the development of estimation competence is left to chance, i.e. expected to be built up through experience. We believe that estimation can be supported and taught. Hence estimation competence can be developed purposive and more quickly. The aims of the research introduced in this paper are to understand relevance and functioning of estimation in engineering design, and to develop support for engineering practice and education based on this understanding. This paper focuses on demonstrating the topics’ relevance by addressing the following questions: •Why is estimation important for engineering design? •What is the state of the art in understanding estimation in general? •What is the state of the art of estimation as a method in engineering design? On the basis of this initial investigation we propose our research framework. After goal, approach and scope of our research, the main research questions on estimation in engineering design we wish to answer are formulated, and the research methods we are using. Furthermore first results on characteristics of estimation in engineering design identified by tests, as well as video and protocol analysis are summarized. At least an outlook on the prospect research is given. [less ▲]