Title: Concept selection methods – a literature review from 1980 to 2008

Authors: Gul E. Okudan, Shafin Tauhid

Addresses: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Abstract: The evaluation process of conceptual design alternatives is a critical point for companies which operate in fast-growing markets due to its influence on all subsequent phases with regard to cost, quality and performance of the end-product. While various methods exist that are able to successfully carry out this difficult and time-consuming process, many have drawbacks (e.g., inability to consider coupled decision, inability to incorporate uncertainty, etc). The growing number of articles on concept selection literature is an indication of the importance of effective design strategy and of its role in improving the competitiveness of an organisation. Accordingly, this paper surveys concept selection methods (CSMs) published between 1980 and 2008. Our overall goal is to provide designers and decision-makers with an overview of the underlying principles used in the reviewed methods along with the advantages and limitations.

Keywords: concept selection; multi-criteria decision-making; MCDM; uncertainty modelling; conceptual design; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDE.2008.023764

International Journal of Design Engineering, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.243 - 277

Published online: 10 Mar 2009 *

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