A SYSTEMATIC METHODOLOGY FOR ENGINEERED OBJECT DESIGN: THE P-TO-V MODEL OF FUNCTIONAL INNOVATION

Abstract

This paper seeks to establish the foundations of a methodology offering practical guidance to aid the innovative design of Engineered Object functionality. The methodology is set in a P-To-V framework. The concept of the framework is borrowed from an earlier work, but constituent elements are new. Much recent work focuses on different aspects of innovation. However, there seems to be a gap for an overarching framework guiding the process of innovative design but with a clear focus on the technical aspects of the object to be engineered. In other words, ‘A Systematic Methodology For Engineered Object Design’. The term ‘Engineered Object’ rather than ‘Product’ has been used, to make the scope as wide as possible. Three Innovation Groups are proposed – Elemental, Application and Combination. From a case study review, factors are identified which provided a ‘spark of imagination’ leading to technical problem resolution. The term Influencing Factor is defined along with the concept of Innovation Groups. The Influencing Factor Matrix is generated to highlight patterns linking Innovation Group and Influencing Factor(s). The final step in the construction of the P-To-V Model is the generation of an overarching Model Operating Chart, which aggregates the various elements of the model.