Unfolding the Design Process Architecture: A Networked Perspective on Activities

Parraguez, P. & Maier, A.M., 2015. Unfolding the Design Process Architecture: A Networked Perspective on Activities. In International Conference on Engineering Design 2015 (ICED 2015). Milan.

Abstract

A number of network-based process models have been developed to guide the design of engineering systems. Many such models represent design activities only as single nodes. As a result, the architecture, i.e. the network structure and composition of each activity, remains invisible and inaccessible for further analysis. However, when we unfold the architecture of activities we see the organisation network through which activities are conducted by people. The architectures of such organisation networks matter as they affect performance outcomes of activities.

We propose and empirically test a framework for systematic characterisation and subsequent clustering of activities based on the architecture of the activities’ organisation networks. Architecture characteristics examined include network size, network density and compositional diversity. The proposed framework not only enriches current process models, but also enables a more systematic analysis of the relationship between the organisation network of each activity and performance. The framework is tested with data from the design process of a biomass power plant where we identified architecture-performance relationships.