Title: Using models as boundary objects in early design negotiations: analysis and implications for decision support systems

Authors: Massimo Panarotto; Marco Bertoni; Christian Johansson

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412-96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: collaborative design; decision-making; engineering design; boundary object; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2019.10026970

Journal of Design Research, 2019 Vol.17 No.2/3/4, pp.214 - 237

Received: 11 Feb 2019
Accepted: 16 Aug 2019
Published online: 11 Mar 2020 *

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