Capturing an integrated design information space with a diagram-based approach

Abstract

The Decision Rationale editor (DRed), an issue-based information system derivative, originally developed to support the capture of design rationale has progressively evolved into a tool to map an integrated information space-covering product planning, specification, design, and service. This article presents the research undertaken to enable this evolution and to test the application of the tool in industry. The work consisted of extending the notation and the functionality of the DRed tool in the service of new methods for information representation and developing a new approach to designing and its documentation by integrated diagrams. Thus far, the approach has been taught for two years and a half to engineering graduates involved in the training programme of the collaborating company. The application of the approach to an aerospace engineering design task is illustrated through a case study. The results of the evaluation have shown that creating large digital information spaces is feasible and delivers benefits to users.

Keywords:

• design information management
• engineering diagrams
• IBIS
• aerospace engineering

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support for this research from the Rolls-Royce University Technology Partnership for Design and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council via the Knowledge and Information Management Grand Challenge and the UK Technology Strategy Board HIPARSYS project.