Creativity Support System for concurrent product design

Abstract

This paper describes the general architecture of the Creativity Support System, an expert system for assisting users in specific domains requiring creative solutions. The bilevel structure of the system consists of a Domain-Independent Module containing general tools and techniques for creative problem solving, and a Domain-Dependent Module incorporating knowledge specific to particular fields of application. The utility of this approach is illustrated in the realm of concurrent product design by demonstrating a Concurrent Design Advisor within the general architecture of the system. We describe the stages of product design — from product specification to design optimization — as well as the particular techniques incorporated in the Concurrent Design Advisor. By providing these domain-dependent decision rules along with domain-independent creativity tools, the Creativity Support System is designed to guide the user through the entire problem resolution process in the desired domain.