Visualizing Interdependencies in Technical Design

Abstract

The control and understanding of complex design processes is an important issue in practice and theory. Recent research shows that documentation and analysis of technical interactions between design tasks (using Design Structure Matrices) gives a thorough understanding of the underlying complex structure of design processes. Generally, these studies are based on an existing set of design tasks and interactions and claim that understanding a design structure is particularly helpful to improve (future) design processes. However, we argue that this claim can not be demonstrated because current studies do not document technical cause and nature of interactions. This hampers an objective understanding of design structures of future design processes. In this paper we propose a taxonomy of technical interactions based on product architecture in order to obtain descriptive clarity and better understanding of cause and nature of technical interactions. This will help to better focus on coordination where it is most needed. Further it gives structural insight how to make significant changes in product architecture in order to improve future management and organization of technical product development.