Using models as boundary objects in early design negotiations: Analysis and implications for decision support systems
Journal article, 2019

One common strategy to include more downstream lifecycle dimensions in early design is to enrich modelling and simulation techniques embedded in decision support systems. However, downstream dimensions are difficult to trade against more traditional engineering objectives. This research studied through individual interviews how six disciplines use models to negotiate design trade-offs. References to models were categorised according to whether models supported or hampered the duration of trade-off identification and how they impacted the duration of trade-off resolution. The results point to the difficulty of applying downstream lifecycle issues earlier in the design process because of the characteristics of the models that are used. A list of characteristics promoting and limiting the use of four models as boundary objects (CAD models, simulation results, total cost of ownership and decision matrices) is provided. The cross-analysis of these characteristics provides insights into how models need to be organised in decision support systems.

Boundary object

Collaborative design

Product development

Engineering design

Decision-making

Author

Massimo Panarotto

Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Product Development

Marco Bertoni

Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, BTH

C. Johansson

Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, BTH

Journal of Design Research

1748-3050 (ISSN) 1569-1551 (eISSN)

Vol. 17 2-4 214-237

Subject Categories

Other Computer and Information Science

Information Science

Embedded Systems

DOI

10.1504/JDR.2019.105757

More information

Latest update

3/11/2021