Abstract
This paper introduces a web-based application that enables engineers or designers to identify risks during the conceptual phase of a product design. This software application was developed based on the Risk in Early Design (RED) method developed by Author, Stone, and Tumer. The RED method demonstrates that risks can be identified in the early phase of product design by relating recorded historical failure information to product functions. Based on the concept of RED theory and current industry needs, the goals of a web-based RED application were defined. These goals are the intended benefits or functionalities that the web-based RED application would provide. In addition, a multi-level evaluation framework was adopted to determine how well the application meets the needs of various organizations. As part of the evaluation, a questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample industrial and academic user group. The results of the evaluation indicate that the web-based RED software application meets many of the goals to help an organization in performing product risk analysis.
Highlights
The purpose of this paper is to present a knowledge based conceptual design software tool to promote failure free design and to demonstrate its effectiveness through an evaluation
This software application was developed based on the Risk in Early Design (RED) method developed by Author, Stone, and Tumer
This paper describes a web-based software solution to enable RED theory to be utilized by a multitude of entities for early risk identification and prevention
Summary
The purpose of this paper is to present a knowledge based conceptual design software tool (the RED software application) to promote failure free design and to demonstrate its effectiveness through an evaluation. Risk in Early Design (RED) is a knowledge based probabilistic risk assessment method that leverages historical failures to identify and quantify product risks even in their conceptual stage of development. The RED method and subsequent software application was developed to overcome these issues This application plays a vital role between the product designers and failure prevention. RED leverages design knowledge such as product functions and components and links them through a knowledge base to historical failure reports. This unique linkage enables even inexperienced designers or engineers to perform a risk analysis during the conceptual phase of product design. The feedback results from users were analyzed to verify that the goals of the software application have been met
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