EDGE™ Functional Decomposition and Concept Generation prepared by Prof. Margaret Bailey (ME) Copyright © 2007 Rochester Institute of Technology All rights reserved.

EDGE™ Session Overview Introduce Concept GenerationIntroduce Concept Generation Explore Five-Step Concept Generation MethodExplore Five-Step Concept Generation Method Demonstrate Above Steps on Various ExamplesDemonstrate Above Steps on Various Examples Discuss Common Dysfunctions and TipsDiscuss Common Dysfunctions and Tips Apply Concept Generation Steps to Team MSD I ProjectApply Concept Generation Steps to Team MSD I Project

EDGE™ Concept Development Process Perform Economic Analysis Benchmark Competitive Products Build and Test Models and Prototypes Identify Customer Needs Establish Target Specifications Generate Product Concepts Select Product Concept(s) Set Final Specifications Plan Downstream Development Mission Statement Test Product Concept(s) Development Plan Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-2, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 98, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Concept Generation Customer Needs Target Specifications SET of Possible Concepts Concept Generation Phase Goal: By the end of this phase, your team should feel confident that the full spectrum of options has been explored. "Fail Often, Fail Fast, Fail Cheap"

EDGE™ Concept Generation Process Clarify the ProblemClarify the Problem –Problem Decomposition External SearchExternal Search –Lead Users –Experts –Benchmarking –Patents/ Literature –Professional Societies –Standards Internal SearchInternal Search –Individual Methods –Group Methods Systematic ExplorationSystematic Exploration –Classification Tree –Combination Table Reflect on the ProcessReflect on the Process –Continuous Improvement Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-3, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 100, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Clarify the Problem Decompose or divide a complex problem into simpler problems that can more easily be solved in a focused manner.Decompose or divide a complex problem into simpler problems that can more easily be solved in a focused manner. Several “decomposition” methods available, such as:Several “decomposition” methods available, such as: –Sequence of User Actions –Key Customer Needs –FUNCTIONS, known as Functional Decomposition Division process occurs until sub-functions can be worked on easily Function diagram useful for documenting but they are not unique; several decompositions may be found for a given problem A simple list of sub-functions (without connections shown) is also acceptable

EDGE™ Function Diagram: Hand Held Nailer Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-4, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 102, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Review Functional Decomposition on MSD I Project What are your “must haves”?What are your “must haves”? Develop function diagram (showing connections or flows) and/or list of sub- functions for your MSD I projectDevelop function diagram (showing connections or flows) and/or list of sub- functions for your MSD I project Identify sub-functions that could be considered criticalIdentify sub-functions that could be considered critical –Most critical to the success of the product –Most likely to benefit from novel or creative solutions

EDGE™ Concept Generation Process Clarify the ProblemClarify the Problem –Problem Decomposition External SearchExternal Search –Lead Users –Experts –Benchmarking –Patents/ Literature –Professional Societies –Standards Internal SearchInternal Search –Individual Methods –Group Methods Systematic ExplorationSystematic Exploration –Classification Tree –Combination Table Reflect on the ProcessReflect on the Process –Continuous Improvement Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-3, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 100, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Patents/Literature US Patent and Trademark Office Web SiteUS Patent and Trademark Office Web Site – – European Patent OfficeEuropean Patent Office – Academic JournalsAcademic Journals –Database tools such as web of science, engineering index, compendex, science citations index, etc. Conference ProceedingsConference Proceedings Internet ResourcesInternet Resources –Search engines: Google, Metacrawler, … –Government Web Site (Foreign and Domestic) – –DO NOT rely exclusively on internet search resources. They are often good, but they are also often WRONG and INCOMPLETE

EDGE™ Project Management Institute (PMI)Project Management Institute (PMI)Project Management Institute (PMI)Project Management Institute (PMI) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) The technical objectives of the IEEE focus on advancing the theory and practice of electrical, electronics and computer engineering and computer science.Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) The technical objectives of the IEEE focus on advancing the theory and practice of electrical, electronics and computer engineering and computer science.Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Software Engineering Institute The SEI mission is to provide leadership in advancing the state of the practice of software engineering to improve the quality of systems that depend on software.Software Engineering Institute The SEI mission is to provide leadership in advancing the state of the practice of software engineering to improve the quality of systems that depend on software.Software Engineering InstituteSoftware Engineering Institute The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) The society's fundamental mission is to provide world-class education and information services that enhance and promote the profession and field of optical engineering and that add quality and value to the careers of the members it serves.The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) The society's fundamental mission is to provide world-class education and information services that enhance and promote the profession and field of optical engineering and that add quality and value to the careers of the members it serves.The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE)The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) SAE provides technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) SAE provides technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) The society promotes public health and safety, and the overall quality of life; contributes to the reliability of materials, products, systems and services. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) The society promotes public health and safety, and the overall quality of life; contributes to the reliability of materials, products, systems and services. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) The society is dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge, and learning.Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) The society is dedicated to serving its members and the manufacturing community through the advancement of professionalism, knowledge, and learning.Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Professional Societies

EDGE™ Private Companies & OrganizationsPrivate Companies & Organizations –Underwriter’s Laboratory Underwriter’s LaboratoryUnderwriter’s Laboratory –International Organization for Standards (ISO) International Organization for Standards (ISO)International Organization for Standards (ISO) –European Environment Agency GovernmentGovernment –Occupational Safety & Health Administration –MIL standards –Codes SocietiesSocieties –Design standards –Accepted practices Standards

EDGE™ Develop External Search Strategy for MSD I Project Identify lead users and expertsIdentify lead users and experts Create benchmarking planCreate benchmarking plan –Closely related products –Functionally related products Describe your reverse engineering plan.Describe your reverse engineering plan. Discuss usefulness of patent/literature search for various sub- functionsDiscuss usefulness of patent/literature search for various sub- functions

EDGE™ Concept Generation Process Clarify the ProblemClarify the Problem –Problem Decomposition External SearchExternal Search –Lead Users –Experts –Patents/ Literature –Professional Societies –Standards –Benchmarking Internal SearchInternal Search –Individual Methods –Group Methods Systematic ExplorationSystematic Exploration –Classification Tree –Combination Table Reflect on the ProcessReflect on the Process –Continuous Improvement Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-3, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 100, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Tips for Idea Generation Focus on generating a large QUANTITY of ideasFocus on generating a large QUANTITY of ideas Do not criticize individuals, ideas, or suggestionsDo not criticize individuals, ideas, or suggestions Do not pass judgment on the statements madeDo not pass judgment on the statements made Do not evaluate the merits of an idea – welcome ideas that may first appear infeasibleDo not evaluate the merits of an idea – welcome ideas that may first appear infeasible Set goals – either fixed number of ideas in a session, or maximum ideas in a fixed length of timeSet goals – either fixed number of ideas in a session, or maximum ideas in a fixed length of time Analogies – What other devices solve related problem?Analogies – What other devices solve related problem? Wish and wonder – Consider new possibilitiesWish and wonder – Consider new possibilities Related stimuli – Work on your neighbor’s idea listRelated stimuli – Work on your neighbor’s idea list

EDGE™ More Tips for Idea Generation Balance Individual and Group SearchBalance Individual and Group Search Individuals generate ideas more quickly than groupsIndividuals generate ideas more quickly than groups –Analogies – What other devices solve related problem? –Wish and wonder – Consider new possibilities Group interaction is critical for refinement, combination, and critique of the solutionsGroup interaction is critical for refinement, combination, and critique of the solutions –Group sessions build team consensus that solution space has been adequately explored –Gallery Method – Display many concepts created by various individuals at once (via post-its, etc.) ExplainExplain Improve/refineImprove/refine Identify related conceptsIdentify related concepts

EDGE™ Begin Internal Search Process for MSD I Project Focus on generating a large QUANTITY of ideas for a critical sub- functionFocus on generating a large QUANTITY of ideas for a critical sub- function Use individual and group techniquesUse individual and group techniques Record concept generation process and share with classRecord concept generation process and share with class

EDGE™ Concept Generation Process Clarify the ProblemClarify the Problem –Problem Decomposition External SearchExternal Search –Lead Users –Experts –Patents/ Literature –Professional Societies –Standards –Benchmarking Internal SearchInternal Search –Individual Methods –Group Methods Systematic ExplorationSystematic Exploration –Classification Tree –Combination Table –Morphological Tables Reflect on the ProcessReflect on the Process –Continuous Improvement Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-3, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 100, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Systematic Exploration: Concept Combination Table - Hand Held Nailer Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-12, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 117, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Concept Generation Process Clarify the ProblemClarify the Problem –Problem Decomposition External SearchExternal Search –Lead Users –Experts –Patents/ Literature –Professional Societies –Standards –Benchmarking Internal SearchInternal Search –Individual Methods –Group Methods Systematic ExplorationSystematic Exploration –Classification Tree –Combination Table –Morphological Tables Reflect on the ProcessReflect on the Process –Continuous Improvement Karl T. Ulrich and Steven D. Eppinger, 2004, Product Design and Development, Exhibit 6-3, Chapter 6, 4 th Edition, p. 100, Irwin McGraw-Hill

EDGE™ Next Steps…. Create list of sub-functions AND/OR develop a functional diagram (refer to Exhibit 6-4)Create list of sub-functions AND/OR develop a functional diagram (refer to Exhibit 6-4) Identify and justify critical sub-functionsIdentify and justify critical sub-functions Begin external searches of problem solutionsBegin external searches of problem solutions Internal search of solutions at system and sub-function levels, include several possible solutionsInternal search of solutions at system and sub-function levels, include several possible solutions Synthesize possible solution combinations at the sub-function level (refer to Exhibit 6-9)Synthesize possible solution combinations at the sub-function level (refer to Exhibit 6-9)