Application of the interface analysis template for delivering system requirements

yesThis paper presents a structured approach for systems requirements analysis that integrates use case modelling with a coherent flows based approach for describing interface exchanges based on the Interface Analysis Template. The approach is discussed in the context of current frameworks for requirements elicitation from the engineering design and systems engineering domains, and it is illustrated with an automotive case study. This illustrates the strength of the framework to support structured multi-domain and multi-disciplinary analysis of requirements for complex systems

A systems approach to the development and use of FMEA in complex automotive applications

YesThe effective deployment of FMEAs within complex automotive applications faces a number of challenges, including the complexity of the system being analysed, the need to develop a series of coherently linked FMEAs at different levels within the systems hierarchy and across intrinsically interlinked engineering disciplines, and the need for coherent linkage between critical design characteristics cascaded through the systems levels with their counterparts in manufacturing. The approach presented in this paper to address these challenges is based on a structured Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) framework which promotes the development of FMEAs within an integrated Systems Engineering approach. The effectiveness of the framework is illustrated through a case study, centred on the development of a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system. This case study demonstrates that the structured FMA framework for function analysis supports an effective decomposition of complex interdisciplinary systems facilitating the DFMEA deployment through a series of containable, structured DFMEAs developed at successive system levels, with clear vertical integration of functional requirements and critical parameters cascade. The paper also discusses the way in which the approach supports deployment across engineering disciplines and domains, ensuring the integrity of information flow between the design and manufacturing activities

System analysis in rotorcraft design: The past decade

Rapid advances in the technology of electronic digital computers and the need for an integrated synthesis approach in developing future rotorcraft programs has led to increased emphasis on system analysis techniques in rotorcraft design. The task in systems analysis is to deal with complex, interdependent, and conflicting requirements in a structured manner so rational and objective decisions can be made. Whether the results are wisdom or rubbish depends upon the validity and sometimes more importantly, the consistency of the inputs, the correctness of the analysis, and a sensible choice of measures of effectiveness to draw conclusions. In rotorcraft design this means combining design requirements, technology assessment, sensitivity analysis and reviews techniques currently in use by NASA and Army organizations in developing research programs and vehicle specifications for rotorcraft. These procedures span simple graphical approaches to comprehensive analysis on large mainframe computers. Examples of recent applications to military and civil missions are highlighted

Deriving Design Principles for Improving Service Modularization Methods - Lessons Learnt from the Complex Integrated Health Care Service System

In recent years, the principle of modularity has been increasingly applied to services as service providers seek to reduce time and cost of delivering customized service offerings. Given the intangible nature of many services, the identification of all elements and interdependencies is more challenging compared to technical systems. Uncertainty or vagueness of system composition can lead to higher efforts in system analysis and limit the quality of design decisions derived from a modularization of a service architecture. Therefore, we propose an iterative approach for the application of the Multiple Domain Matrix method for the modularization of complex service systems. By performing a detailed analysis of the service system’s elements and interdependencies, we propose design principles that enhance the application of the Multiple Domain Matrix method to complex service systems in order to increase the information quality of the analysis. The design principles emphasize interdependent consistency checks and a structured dialogue between service system analysts and domain experts that refine the model of the service system underlying the modularization. We demonstrate our approach by an application to a complex service system for integrated health care service in mental health care

FAME, a microprocessor based front-end analysis and modeling environment

Higher order software (HOS) is a methodology for the specification and verification of large scale, complex, real time systems. The HOS methodology was implemented as FAME (front end analysis and modeling environment), a microprocessor based system for interactively developing, analyzing, and displaying system models in a low cost user-friendly environment. The nature of the model is such that when completed it can be the basis for projection to a variety of forms such as structured design diagrams, Petri-nets, data flow diagrams, and PSL/PSA source code. The user's interface with the analyzer is easily recognized by any current user of a structured modeling approach; therefore extensive training is unnecessary. Furthermore, when all the system capabilities are used one can check on proper usage of data types, functions, and control structures thereby adding a new dimension to the design process that will lead to better and more easily verified software designs

DOE and ANN models for powder mixture packing

Design of experiments (DOE) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques were used to study packing of fused alumina powders composed of three different sizes of particles. The first is the mixture design technique that produces a polynomial model of the powder-packing system. While, the ANN technique is extensively used to model complex systems in many fields. The methodological approach used is mixture design, which can be used to study the influences of two or more additives. It is a structured and organized method for determining the relationship between the components and the output of that process. The mixture design approach permits optimization of size distribution to obtain a target value of porosity. Sensitivity analysis involves the use of the developed ANN model to predict outputs (porosity) at varying levels of the input factor effects

Product planning of manufactured construction products

The construction industry is experiencing further industrialisation to achieve greater efficiency and flexibility in the development of manufactured construction products. The development of these products poses challenges because of new complex design requirements and manufacturing processes. There is therefore a need to develop product planning methods that can effectively address these challenges. This research aims to develop product planning methods for complexity management of manufactured construction products. A framework for product planning for manufactured construction products is proposed, which involves application of methods for requirements management and modularisation. Using a reverse engineering approach, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method was applied to a modular plantroom to model and analyse its requirements. The plantroom QFD model facilitated a deeper understanding of requirements analysis than existing practice at the collaborating company. The QFD method was subsequently applied to a whole modular apartment building to analyse its requirements and investigate how requirements flow down across hierarchical levels. The application showed that a series of connected QFD models support requirements analysis by allowing to investigate systems structure, traceability and data analytic solutions of complex building systems. The QFD models were evaluated and validated by engineers at the collaborating company and were found to be effective at capturing and analysing requirements. QFD is a powerful requirements analysis method for manufactured construction products because it offers a more systematic, holistic and structured approach to requirements analysis than those currently adopted in the industry. The research also investigated the development and application of a multi-driver modularisation approach for manufactured construction products. The approach uses and integrates three modular tools, namely Dependency Structure Matrix, Modular Identification Matrix and Generational Variance Indexes, which support the design of flexible product systems. The approach is able to address multiple modularisation drivers and provide valuable design information.Open Acces

Using Heuristics in the Creative Process of Product+Service System (PSS): Example of a case study using Blueprint Matrix

The creative process of Sustainable Product + Service Systems (PSSs) that involve a variety of social, economic and environmental elements is a very complex process that can be characterized as a wicked problem. The following study highlights that, currently, the tools used in PSS assist in the system design process but often explore the design process intuitively based on the designer’s experience. When dealing with complex problems it is important to use a more structured design approach, which involves multidisciplinary teams to explore systematic design techniques. In this sense, a method recognized to assist in the process of creating complex systems is the heuristic. The use of heuristics is considered a cognitive strategy that not only accelerates the creative process, but also generates solutions, regardless of spontaneous creativity. In this article, an analysis of the creative potential of heuristics was carried out with the blueprint tool. The research method used included an unsystematic theoretical survey, followed by an exploratory case study. Therefore, it is intended to contribute to the detection of emphases and gaps in the literature and demonstrate through practical application, the interaction of designers with heuristic principles in the creation process of PSSs

Using Heuristics in the Creative Process of Product+Service System (PSS): Example of a case study using Blueprint Matrix

The creative process of Sustainable Product + Service Systems (PSSs) that involve a variety of social, economic and environmental elements is a very complex process that can be characterized as a wicked problem. The following study highlights that, currently, the tools used in PSS assist in the system design process but often explore the design process intuitively based on the designer’s experience. When dealing with complex problems it is important to use a more structured design approach, which involves multidisciplinary teams to explore systematic design techniques. In this sense, a method recognized to assist in the process of creating complex systems is the heuristic. The use of heuristics is considered a cognitive strategy that not only accelerates the creative process, but also generates solutions, regardless of spontaneous creativity. In this article, an analysis of the creative potential of heuristics was carried out with the blueprint tool. The research method used included an unsystematic theoretical survey, followed by an exploratory case study. Therefore, it is intended to contribute to the detection of emphases and gaps in the literature and demonstrate through practical application, the interaction of designers with heuristic principles in the creation process of PSSs