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A model-based method for organizing tasks in product development

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Abstract

This research is aimed at structuring complex design projects in order to develop better products more quickly. We use a matrix representation to capture both the sequence of and the technical relationships among the many design tasks to be performed. These relationships define the “technical structure” of a project, which is then analyzed in order to find alternative sequences and/or definitions of the tasks. Such improved design procedures offer opportunities to speed development progress by streamlining the inter-task coordination. After using this technique to model design processes in several organizations, we have developed a design management strategy which focuses attention on the essential information transfer requirements of a technical project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sloan School, E53-347, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Steven D. Eppinger, Daniel E. Whitney, Robert P. Smith & David A. Gebala

Authors
  1. Steven D. Eppinger
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  2. Daniel E. Whitney
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  3. Robert P. Smith
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  4. David A. Gebala
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Eppinger, S.D., Whitney, D.E., Smith, R.P. et al. A model-based method for organizing tasks in product development. Research in Engineering Design 6, 1–13 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588087

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