SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

Design Selection Methods

‘Design is a strategic activity whether by intention or by default’ (Whitney

1988)

All of the following methods, creative and rational, can be used within the ‘recognition-
preparation-incubation-illumination-verification’ cycle that your mind will hopefully take as
it seeks to arrive at solutions to the problem in hand.

1. Creative Methods

Brainstorming

This activity is a group exercise normally conducted with 4 - 8 people. One person acts as
recorder and convenor for the session that should normally last for no more than 15 – 20
minutes or when the ideas dry up! The essential rules are:

• No criticism is allowed during the session

• A large quantity of ideas is wanted
• Seemingly crazy ideas are quite welcome
• Keep all ideas short and snappy
• Try to combine and improve on the ideas of others

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DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

Synetics

This relies on analogical thinking and can be performed as an individual or group activity.
It can be further divided into the following types of thinking:

⇒ Direct analogies
⇒ Personal analogies
⇒ Symbolic analogies
⇒ Fantasy analogies

Enlarging the search space

Sometimes called ‘lateral thinking’ as described by Edward de Bono. This relies on

removing the blinkers and taking a much wider view of the problem and associated
solutions. Key activities are:

⇒ Transformation: application of verbs to transform the problem

⇒ Random input: opening a dictionary, watching TV, ‘left field’ input
⇒ Why? Why? Why? - keep asking tricky questions!
⇒ Counter-planning: concept of the dialectic – challenging solutions to arrive at
compromises

2. Rational Methods

Objectives Tree

The aim of this method is to clarify design objectives and sub-objectives, and the
relationships between them. The procedure is as follows:

(a) Prepare a list of design objectives. These are taken from the design brief, from
questions to the client, and from discussion in the design team.

(b) Order the list into seat of higher-level and lower-level objectives. The expanded list of
objectives and sub-objectives is grouped roughly into hierarchical levels.

(c) Draw a diagrammatic tree of objectives, showing hierarchical relationships and

interconnections. The branches (or roots) in the tree represent relationships that
suggest means of achieving objectives.

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

An objectives tree for a ‘convenient, safe, attractive’ new transport system

Function Analysis

The aim of this method is to establish the functions required, and the system boundary,
of a new design. The procedure is as follows.

(a) Express the overall function for the design in terms of the conversion of inputs into
outputs. The overall black box function should be broad, widening the system boundary.

Black box model of a washing machine

(b) Break down the overall function into a set of essential sub-functions. The sub-
functions comprise all the tasks that have to be performed inside the black box.

(c) Draw a block diagram showing the interactions between sub-functions. The black box is
made transparent, so that the sub-functions and their interconnections are clarified.

(d) Draw the system boundary. The system boundary defines the functional limits for the
product or device to be designed.

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DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

Function analysis of the washing machine

(e) Search for the appropriate components to perform the sub-functions and their
interactions. Many alternative components many be capable of performing the
identified functions.

Morphological Charts

The aim of this method is to generate the complete range of alternative design solutions
for a product and hence to widen the search for potential new solutions. The procedure is
as follows:

(a) List the features or functions that are essential to the product. Although not too long,
the list must comprehensively cover the functions, at an appropriate level of
generalisation.

(b) For each feature or function list the means by which it might be achieved. These lists
might include new ideas as well as known existing components or sub-solutions.

(c) Draw up a chart containing all the possible sub-solutions. This morphological chart
represents the total solution space for the product, made up of the combinations of
sub-solutions.

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DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

(d) Identify feasible combinations of sub-solutions. The total number of possible

combinations may be very large, and so search strategies may have to be guided by
constraints or criteria.

One selected combination of sub-solutions from the morphological chart for a forklift truck

Weighted Objectives

The aim of this method is to compare the utility values of alternative design proposals, on
the basis of performance against differentially weighted objectives. The procedure is as
follows:

(a) List the design objectives. These may need modification from an initial list; an
objectives tree can also be a useful feature of this method.

(b) Rank order the list of objectives. Pair-wise comparisons may help to establish the rank
order.

objectives A B C D E row totals

A - 0 0 0 1 1
B 1 - 0.5 1 1 3.5
C 1 0.5 - 1 0.5 3
D 1 0 0 - 1 2
E 0 0 0.5 0 - 0.5

Rank order: B-C-D-A-E

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(c) Assign relative weightings to the objectives. These numerical values should be on an
interval scale; an alternative is to assign relative weights at different levels of an
objectives tree, so that all weights sum to 1.0

10 B
9 C ≈ (3/3.5) × B
8
7
6 D ≈ (2/3.5) × B
5
4
3 A ≈ (1/3.5) × B
2
1 E ≈ (0.5/3.5) × B

(d) Establish performance parameters or utility scores for each of the objectives. Both
qualitative and quantitative objectives should be reduced to performance on simple
point scales.

Comparison of 11-point and 5-point evaluation scales

(e) Calculate and compare the relative utility values of the alternative designs. Multiply
each parameter score by its weighted value. The best alternative has the highest sum

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value; comparison and discussion of utility value profiles may be a better design aid
than simply choosing the best.

Original sketches for syringe design concepts D and F; (b) Sketch of the combined concept D-F selected for
design development

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

Initial evaluation chart for seven alternative concepts for a reusable syringe

Final evaluation chart for selected, combined and refined concepts for the syringe

Value Engineering

The aim of this method is to increase or maintain the value of a product to its purchaser
while reducing its cost to its producer.

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(a) List the separate components of the product, and identify the function served by
each component. If possible, the actual product should be disassembled into its
components; exploded diagrams and component-function charts are more useful than
parts lists.

(b) Determine the values of the identified functions. These must be the values as
perceived by customers.

(c) Determine the costs of the components. These must be after fully finished and
assembled.

(d) Search for ways of reducing cost without reducing value, or of adding value without
adding cost. A creative criticism is necessary, aimed at increasing the value/cost ratio.

Eliminate-Reduce-Simplify-Modify-Standardise

(e) Evaluate alternatives and select improvements.

Redesign of a jet engine component following value engineering

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DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 3 B59DE1

Redesign of small electric motor for assembly

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