Multi-domain DSM method for design process management of complex system

Abstract

Design of a complex system is a collaborative activity among multiple domains, such as mechanical engineering, software engineering, and control engineering. A dependency model is effective for the management of its process. Because different domains often have different recognition of dependency, a design manager should coordinate the understanding gaps among multiple domains. This article proposes a multi-domain design structure matrix (MDDSM) method expanding a conventional DSM to coordinate differences of designers’ understandings about dependency of system components. MDDSM assumes that a designer describes dependency based on his/her expertise. MDDSM provides a method to define reliability of dependency description according to the degree of designer’s expertise of the corresponding system components. When different designers describe different dependencies, the reliability definition helps to decide which designer’s description is most reliable. This article also demonstrates a case study applying MDDSM to an industrial robot design process in order to verify its ability.

Keywords:

• design methodology – concurrent engineering
• design process management
• multidisciplinary design
• design structure matrix

Acknowledgment

We appreciate all designers who kindly contribute to the case study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Yutaka Nomaguchi is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Osaka University. He received his B. Eng., M. Eng., and PhD degrees from the Department of Precision Machinery Engineering in the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1997, 1999, and 2002, respectively. He was a researcher at Research into Artifact, Center for Engineering, University of Tokyo at 2002, and joined the Department of Computer-Controlled Mechanical Systems, Osaka University, in 2003. His research interests include systems engineering, design project planning, design knowledge management, knowledge-based design environment, and design optimization.

Masahiro Saito was a master course student in Osaka University. He received his B. Eng. and M. Eng. degrees in mechanical engineering from Osaka University in 2012 and 2014, respectively. He has worked as an engineer in Asano Gear Co., Ltd. since 2014.

Kikuo Fujita is currently a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering in Osaka University. He received his B. Eng., M. Eng., and Dr. Eng. degrees in mechanical engineering from Osaka University, in 1985, 1987, and 1990, respectively. His research focuses on product architecture design, optimal systems design, and design knowledge management. He teaches courses in design engineering for mechanical engineering students and trans-disciplinary problem-solving methodologies for university-wide graduate students.