New Conventions: Intentional Implementation of Set-Based Design Leveraging Limited Point-Based Approaches

Abstract

This article communicates a practical application of Set-Based Design (SBD) during its adoption within the U.S. Navy’s latest surface ship design processes. It highlights how the team harnessed SBD to explore the vast design space and make critical decisions. Intriguingly, the article explores the design team’s use of point-based designs(PBD), a counterintuitive approach within the context of SBD. It delves into the rationale behind their implementation and the diverse purposes they serve in bridging knowledge gaps such as prototyping, integration, and evaluation of set interfaces. Furthermore, the article presents a preliminary ontology outlining various use cases for these PBDs. A key focus of this article is understanding how these PBDs coexist within the larger set-based construct while recognizing their inherent differences. The article examines the utility and boundaries of this approach, shedding light on the pragmatic interplay.