Design Structure Matrix Method Research Articles

Systematic design of a wind turbine by Design Structure Matrix (DSM) method, case study: Lootak region

The systematic design of a wind turbine is investigated using the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) method. As a complex system, a wind turbine has many interconnections between its components, which could be analyzed by the DSM method. First, the system was decomposed into subsystems; then, the design matrix was prepared and optimised according to the dependencies between the design parameters. Finally, the primary matrix was optimised, and a design matrix was obtained as a wind turbine systematic design guide. By the presented tool, the design parameters of a 2000kW wind turbine for the Lootak region of Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan province were obtained. To achieve the rated power of 2000kW, the optimum wind turbine parameters were found to be as the rotor diameter of 77, 60 m hub height, rated wind speed of 11.85 m/s, and speed increase transmission ratio of 1: 11.

A DSM‐Based CCPM‐MPL Representation Method for Project Scheduling under Rework Scenarios

Rework risks caused by information flow interactions have become a major challenge in project scheduling. To deal with this challenge, we propose a model integrating the critical chain project management method, design structure matrix method, and max‐plus method. Our model uses a start‐to‐start relationship of activities instead of the traditional finish‐to‐start relationship, which also allows overlaps between activities. We improve the accuracy of the rework safety time in two ways: (1) the overall overlapping effect is taken into consideration when calculating the rework time of an activity arising from the information flow interaction of its multiple predecessors overlapped with it; (2) the rework time arising from activity overlaps, the first rework time, and the second rework time are calculated as components of the rework safety time in our model, while the last one is ignored in traditional methods. Furthermore, the accuracy of time buffers is improved based on the improved rework safety time. Finally, we design the max‐plus method to generate project schedules and appropriately sized time buffers. The empirical results show that the project schedule generated by the proposed method has a higher on‐time completion probability, as well as more appropriately sized project buffers.

A structured approach to measuring and optimizing the organizational architecture in global product development projects

In global product development projects, coordinating complex technical communication among teams across time zones in the overlapping process is a fundamental challenge. To optimize a global product development organization to reduce the negative impact of time separation on coordination, this article presents an innovative approach to solve two key problems: how to quantify the coordination among distributed teams and how to identify efficient global product development organization. We build structural models to capture the coordination dependency strength among global product development teams from the time separation and overlapping process perspectives, employing the design structure matrix method. Then, we analyze the factors that influence synchronous and asynchronous communication due to time separation. We also apply the random walk method to identify a team similarity matrix, taking into account the direct and indirect dependency relationships among teams associated with their performed activities. Finally, we use the team similarity matrix as an input to a spectral clustering algorithm to identify the clustering strategy for the global product development organizational architecture, yielding and reinforcing several managerial insights, including how to analyze the coordination among global product development teams as well as how the offshoring costs impact the clustered organization.

The CASAD Matrix Method: Introduction of a Technique for the Documentation, Analysis, and Optimization of Context-Aware Systems

Abstract The availability of precise sensors and the extensive usage of smart devices enable the development of systems that can sense their environment and recognize specific contexts. In recent years, so-called context-aware systems gained increasing popularity as they can provide situational assistance and automate nondeterministic processes. Despite their advantages, these systems still play a minor role in industrial applications due to reasons such as the increased efforts required for the engineering and development process and the absence of methods to handle the inherent complexity. This paper introduces the CASAD matrix method that facilitates the development of context-aware systems and reduces their complexity to a manageable level. The matrix is based on the design structure matrix method of Steward [1] and allows the structured documentation, analysis, and optimization of context-related systems properties. Further, different approaches for analyzing the matrix are shown and their outcomes discussed. Finally, the practical application is demonstrated in an industrial use case. Thereby, the CASAD matrix method is used to document, analyze, and optimize the contextually assisted activities, the contextual services, and the contexts of a context-aware assistance system for the shop floor of an injection molding company.

Critical Chain Design Structure Matrix Method for Construction Project Scheduling under Rework Scenarios

Rework risks have been a major challenge in the construction industry that constantly affects project schedules and threatens on-time project completion. Traditional project scheduling methods are not capable of modeling rework relationships between activities and mitigating the impact of resulting uncertainties during the development of project schedules. To address this challenge, a critical chain design structure matrix (CCDSM) method is proposed in this paper. The CCDSM method aims to develop construction project schedules that are adaptive to rework scenarios and robust against rework risks. The CCDSM method models and displays large-scale rework relationships among activities and introduces a new rework buffer to quantitatively represent the impact of rework instances in project schedules. A max-plus algorithm is adopted in CCDSM to transform complex logic relationships into simple matrix operations, reducing computational load of schedule generation. A case study was conducted to demonstrate the implementation of the CCDSM method and assess its effectiveness in addressing rework risks. The results showed that the CCDSM is a promising tool to generate schedules, which could improve on-time project completion rate and reduce impacts of varying rework scenarios on project execution.

함정 개념설계 프로세스 최적화를 위한 시스템엔지니어링 기반의 설계구조행렬 방법론 적용

Naval ship design and related other activities can be characterized by the complexity of the interactions among products, activities, and disciplines. Such complexities often result in inferior designs, cost overrun, and late-delivery. Hence there exist tremendous interests in both improving the design process itself and optimizing the interactions among design activities. This paper looks at the complexity of designing naval ships thereby leading to the innovation of current ship design practices using design structure matrix. It can be used to induce the optimal ordering of design activities as well as identify sources of complexities. The method presented here identifies coupled design activities useful for reducing the complexity of naval ship design as well as optimally reordering design activities. This paper recommends the use of design structure matrix method suitable for numerically optimizing the concept design process of naval ship, and reducing cost and time required in designing naval ships by modeling and analyzing the design activities and engineering tasks, defined in systems engineering planning documents.

Моделирование структурной организации единого информационного пространства предприятия-разработчика микроэлектронных систем

During the process of forming a unified information space (UIS) is widely used modeling of information exchange facilities and UIS infrastructure. Despite the large variety of approaches to modeling a UIS, in particular using the design structure matrix method, the proposed solutions do not provide a direct link between elements of the described structure and hardware and software equipment. Also, existing approaches for modeling the UIS do not take into account possible external and internal constraints imposed on the placement of UIS components in the enterprise space. The paper proposes an approach to formalizing the UIS structure of the microelectronics design center, which is intended to eliminate these shortcomings. The structure of the UIS according to a parallel organization model includes following main components: a product data management system, participants of the microelectronic system design process, data-processing hardware and software. The structure of the UIS as a dynamic system can be reduced to a generalized model that includes the set of subscribers – participants of the design process, primary and secondary data-processing tools and objects of information exchange. The mathematical description is made using elements of theory of sets, matrices and queuing systems. The proposed model takes into account the constraints that affect a form of implementation of the UIS structure, as well as many characteristics of software and hardware. Simulation modeling of the UIS structural organization, presented as a set of multichannel queuing systems, helped to draw conclusions about bandwidth and reliability of considered variants for the UIS organization based on proposed hardware (the server solution) and software (the database management system) tools that are being used.

Employing the Proactive Algorithms and the Design Structure Matrix Method for Load Balancing in UND Networks

Employing the Proactive Algorithms and the Design Structure Matrix Method for Load Balancing in UND Networks

Generating potential actuation architectures for multifunctional flight control surfaces using a Design Structure Matrix clustering algorithm

Driven by the need for more ecofriendly air transport impact on the environment, the evolution of flight control systems is tailored towards the design of multifunctional systems (e.g., the flaps, which are typically used for providing high lift, could additionally be used for roll control, or for span-wise lift distribution to reduce wing loads). The subsystems which actuate the control surfaces are very complex, composed of hundreds of components working together. Designing new concepts to accommodate the multifunctional flight control requirements is a complex and demanding task. Using Design Structure Matrix methods for generating alternative system architectures is a promising way for extensively exploring the solution space, not restricted to the boundaries of limited modifications of existing solutions. Thus, this paper demonstrates the possibility of using a hierarchical stochastic Design Structure Matrix clustering method, together with a multifunctional requirement, to generate alternative actuation system architectures. It is shown that, with this approach, near-optimal architectures based on multifunctional requirements can be generated and alternatives can be evaluated for system-level impact. In this study, different architectures are created, and the top 3 analyzed based on their success in achieving the multifunctional requirement. This study demonstrates the possibility of generating alternative actuation system concepts optimized for multifunctional requirements, not limited to small local improvements of existing architectures.

Scheduling Interrelated Activities Using Insertion-Based Heuristics

The issue of scheduling interrelated activities is important and of particular concern to design managers. One tool that helps us to solve this issue is the design structure matrix (DSM) which can explicitly represent the information dependencies among interrelated activities. Based on the DSM method, this study presents effective approaches for sequencing interrelated activities with the goal of minimizing total feedback length, which is a good approximation for reducing project completion time. First, we prove two new properties of the problem, and develop an insertion-based heuristic. Second, the proposed heuristic is further improved by combing it with simulated annealing and genetic algorithm. Computer experiments show that our approaches outperform existing heuristics, in that with similar settings, our approaches often produces better solutions.

Scheduling of Aircraft Design Project: A Comparison of Critical Path Method, Design Structure Matrix and Genetic Algorithm Approaches

The purpose of this study to minimize the overall duration of aircraft design project in Indonesia. This study proposes a combination method of Design Structure Matrix (DSM) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) for scheduling aircraft design project activities. DSM is used to identify the information flow between project activities. GA use reworks data, which was the result output of DSM, and activity duration to optimize the task sequence by considering the human resource constraints. A comparative analysis was conducted between the schedule based on DSM and GA and schedule based on Critical Path Method. Combination of DSM and GA obtained 63 days shorter project durations compared to CPM. This research is convenient for design projects scheduling with limited resources that can be obtained by using alternative methods other than traditional methods.

Modularising design processes of façades in Denmark: re-exploring the use of design structure matrix

ABSTRACTModularity has shown great potential in the manufacturing industry, reducing order lead time and creating variety with limited resources. In the construction industry, the implementation of modularity has been limited to off-site production (OSP). The construction design process incorporates a substantial number of disciplines and stakeholders. Moreover, in the application OSP, the design phase is critical due to the necessity of freezing the design early in the process. This study explores the opportunities for optimising the design processes for OSP through the application of modularity. Framed by a large general contractor, the research is based on a case study of façade design, which is representative of design processes for OSP. Research is based on a theoretical framing within design management and modularity, combined with empirical material from 20 interviews and a two-hour-long workshop with a cross-functional design team. The findings were that (1) the application of a modularity perspective in design has the advantage of accelerating the execution process, as the workload and coordination are transferred to the design process, which, in turn, requires enhanced design management. (2) The design structure matrix (DSM), an approach for operationalising modularity theory, is a promising tool for planning and scheduling complex design processes. The DSM method successfully enabled the identification of dependencies and interfaces between the crucial cross-organisational design activities that are related to the façade design process. (3) The developed process modules are helpful to visualise and execute the process for both project participants and managers.

Product development process improvement: A review of Design Structure Matrix methods

Iteration is an important characteristic of the design process. The Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is a powerful method allowing modelling, analysis, and optimisation of iterations in the design process. Boosted by the concepts of concurrent engineering, it has been widely developed during the decades by researchers from both academia and industry. The objective of this paper is to provide a review of different DSM based techniques used to improve the performance of the product development process.

Design Structure Matrix Extensions and Innovations: A Survey and New Opportunities

The design structure matrix (DSM), also called the dependency structure matrix, has become a widely used modeling framework across many areas of research and practice. The DSM brings advantages of simplicity and conciseness in representation, and, supported by appropriate analysis, can also highlight important patterns in system architectures (design structures), such as modules and cycles. A literature review in 2001 cited about 100 DSM papers; there have been over 1000 since. Thus, it is useful to survey the latest DSM extensions and innovations to help consolidate progress and identify promising opportunities for further research. This paper surveys the DSM literature, primarily from archival journals, and organizes the developments pertaining to building, displaying, analyzing, and applying product, process, and organization DSMs. It then addresses DSM applications in other domains, as well as recent developments with domain mapping matrices (DMMs) and multidomain matrices (MDMs). Overall, DSM methods are becoming more mainstream, especially in the areas of engineering design, engineering management, management/organization science, and systems engineering. Despite significant research contributions, however, DSM awareness seems to be spreading more slowly in the realm of project management.

DSM기법에 의한 위험 및 안전 관리를 통해 무기체계 시험평가 프로세스의 개선에 관한 연구

Abstract The weapon systems development has some distinct characterist ics in that a big size of government budget (derived from national tax) has been expended frequently and the completion of the development projects seems to take long. Thus, the impact of the potential changes in the required operational capability on the development activities can induce some type o f project risks. As such, proper management of project risk has been one of crucial subjects in the weapon systems development. Although a variety of methods can be considered, an approach ba sed on the test and evaluation (T&E) process has been selected in this paper in order to appropriate ly handle those potential risks. In the study of the underlying T&E process, the safety consideration ( for instance, explosiveness) of weapon systems is also included. To achieve the objective of the paper , a step-by-step procedure is first presented in the analysis of the T&E process. Then, to pursue s ome enhancement on the process, a set of necessary and useful activities are added in terms of ri sk and safety management. The resultant process is further analyzed and tailored based on a design stru cture matrix method. The case study of a tank development is also discussed.Keywords : Test & Evaluation, Systems Engineering, Weapon Syste ms, Risk Management, Design Structure Matrix

개선된 DSM 기법을 통한 경전철 정거장 기능실의 슬림화에 관한 연구

오늘날 산업 기술의 발달에 따른 고도화로 인해, 고속철도로 대변되는 전국망 철도 운영과 함께, 도시 내 또는 교외의 단거리 구간을 운영하는 철도사업에 관심이 증대되고 있다. 특히, 일반철도라 불리는 기존의 중전철에 비해서, 후자의 경우는 단거리 운행에 따른 특성으로 경량전철의 형태로서, 보다 작은 규모의 철도차량 및 역사(정거장)으로 운영이 가능할 것으로 기대되고 있다. 또한 철도차량의 무인화 운행 및 정거장 운영 인력의 감축도 주요 관심사로 부상하고 있다. 하지만, 경량전철시스템의 기반 시설인 역사의 경우, 시설을 시공하는데 있어서 기존의 중전철의 설계지침 및 관련법에 의해 건설되고 있다. 따라서 이러한 지침에 의해 건설되는 역사는 소형화의 추구 방향과는 거리가 있게 된다. 경량전철 역사의 슬림화 목적을 달성하기 위해서는 단순히 건축학적 의미 이상의 접근이 필요하다. 왜냐하면 경량전철은 다양한 시스템이 내재된 복합구조의 시스템이기 때문이다. 따라서, 역사의 슬림화를 추구하면서 열차무인운행에 대한 안전성까지 확보하기 위해서는 시스템 설계에서 체계적인 접근이 필요하다. 특히, 경전철 역사에 대한 설계지침 및 관련법이 국내에 현재까지는 없는 실정이다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위해 본 연구에서는 역사 기능실의 소형화에 대한 연구를 수행하였다. 구체적으로 설계구조행렬(DSM)의 개선된 기법을 제안하였으며, 이의 적용을 통해 역사 기능실 구조설계에서 구성품 통합에 의한 소형화 방법을 연구하였다. 본 연구에서 제안하는 기법을 기반으로 경전철 역사의 기능실 통합을 통한 슬림화 설계를 수행한다면, 향후 경전철역사 건설에서 상당한 시간, 공간, 예산 절감 등의 효과가 기대된다. It appears that the rapid advance in technology has allowed to broaden the variety of rail systems technology, thereby fostering new business opportunity in rail industry. The direction of rail systems operations is mainly two fold. In one direction, long distance operations between mega cities are pursued with help of high speed trains under development. In the other case, relatively short distance operations for covering intra-city or suburban area are becoming popular. A good example of the latter case is light rail transit (LRT) systems. Due to the short distance operation, it is thus expected that both the development and operation cost for LRT systems be reduced to some extent. The cost reduction desired in there can be gained by scaling down the sizes of both the trains and stations as compared to those of normal rail systems. However, it is not well known how the LRT stations can be scaled down. The objective of this paper is to study on how to slim down the stations (particularly, the functions room) of LRT systems. To achieve the objective, an approach is studied based on a modified method of design structure matrix (DSM). Specifically, using the enhanced DSM method, an integrated architecture is developed for the functions room, in which equipments are housed to perform the functions of electricity, signaling, and communication for LRT stations. The use of the result indicates that the desired reduction can be obtained with the approach taken in the paper.

시스템 구성품의 위험 심각도를 반영한 안전중시 시스템의 설계 모듈화에 관한 연구

Abstract Modern systems development becomes more and more complicated due to the need on the ever-increasing capability of the systems. In addition to the c omplexity issue, safety concern is also increasing since the malfunctions of the systems under development may result in the accidents in both the test and evaluation phase and the operation phase. Those accidents can cause disastrous damages if explosiveness gets involved therein such as in weapon systems development. The subject of this paper is on how to incorporate safety requirements in the design of safety-critical systems. As an approach, a useful system structure using the method of design structure matrix (DSM) is studied while reflecting the need on systems safety. Specifically, the effects of system components failure are analyzed and numerically modeled first. Also, the system components are identified and their interfaces are represented using a component DSM. Combining the results of the failure analysis and the component DSM leads to a modified DSM. By rearranging the resultant DSM, a modular structure is derived with safety requirements incorporated. As a case study, application of the approach is also discussed in the development of a military UAV plane.Keywords : Design Structure Matrix, Failure Modes, Failure Crit icality, Unmaned Aerial Vehicle, Safety, Conceptual Design

Application of Numerical Design Structure Matrix Method in Engineering Projects Management

Application of Numerical Design Structure Matrix Method in Engineering Projects Management

Improving Product Development Performance Through Iteration Front-Loading

Iteration is a central issue in the management of product development (PD) projects. Iteration is often recognized as a major cause of increased PD lead time and cost, a key driver of schedule risk, and a primary source of uncertainties in the commitment of resources. However, iteration, when planned and managed effectively, can also be used to overcome the uncertainties inherent in interdependent development activities, and to thereby improve and accelerate PD projects. In this paper, we present a methodology that engineering managers can use to identify process architectures which may provide more effectively structured iterations. The methodology determines the suggested process architecture by first eliminating any unbeneficial iterative loops, if they exist, through the application of existing design structure matrix methods, and, then, by front-loading iterations in organizing the other loops through the application of a group formation algorithm. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed method, we compare its performance with that of other partitioning and sequencing algorithms also concerned with the ordering of activities within iterative blocks, and also evaluate its performance when used in conjunction with these other algorithms. Specifically, we apply these methods to four examples and use simulation modeling to evaluate the performance of the process architectures suggested by the different methods. Based on the four initial examples, it does appear that our methodology has significant potential to improve the management of PD projects with uncertain iterations by supporting systematic loop pattern explorations and front-loading. Study limitations and areas for future research are also discussed.

Dealing with project complexity by matrix-based propagation modelling for project risk analysis

Engineering projects are facing a growing complexity and are thus exposed to numerous and interdependent risks. In this paper, we present a quantitative method for modelling propagation behaviour in the project risk network. The construction of the network requires the involvement of the project manager and related experts using the design structure matrix method. A matrix-based risk propagation model is introduced to calculate risk propagation and thus to re-evaluate risk characteristics such as probability and criticality. An eigenstructure analysis is also used based on the risk network, with the goal of measuring and prioritising risks with respect to their importance in terms of influence in the network. These supplemental project risk analyses provide project managers with improved insights into risks considering complexity and help them to design more effective response actions. An example of an application to a real urban transportation system implementation project is presented to illustrate the utility of the proposed approach.