A STRUCTURED APPROACH FOR ANALYSIS OF DESIGN PROCESSES

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for analyzing an d improving design processes. The methodology presented uses a directe d graph and the corresponding incidence matrix to represent a design p rocess or the relationship between constraints and variables in a desi gn problem. A qualitative analysis approach (critical analysis and con currency analysis) is used to analyze the process structure and improv e it without considering the time aspect. The analysis explores a proc ess structure as well as enhances concurrency of the design process, T he critical analysis determines potential activities that may delay a design project and provides suggestions for improvement of the design process, A process with higher degree of concurrency is obtained and t herefore the product development time should be reduced, Two examples from electronics illustrate the approach proposed.