A Role-Activity-Product Model to Simulate Distributed Design Processes

Computational models can be used to study product design processes. We propose an agent-based simulation model that incorporates, first, the role of design parties involved, second, their design activities to drive the product towards a design goal, and, third, a product model based on a so-called attribute dependency graph. A carefully tailored data model is presented for two roles, a system designer and a component designer, and their specific activities. The performance of the resulting development processes is measured by the time needed to reach the overall design goal. The model is applied to the design of an electric vehicle battery pack consisting of two components that are developed separately by a total of four parties. The results show plausible interaction between the design parties and how uncoordinated activity by one party can decrease process performance.     «

Computational models can be used to study product design processes. We propose an agent-based simulation model that incorporates, first, the role of design parties involved, second, their design activities to drive the product towards a design goal, and, third, a product model based on a so-called attribute dependency graph. A carefully tailored data model is presented for two roles, a system designer and a component designer, and their specific activities. The performance of the resulting...     »