Set-based design rules and implementation methods in concept development phase

Abstract

There are numerous methodologies that organizations employ during concept development cycles. These range from agile, waterfall, point-based designs etc. One of the emerging such methodologies is called Set-Based Design (SBD). There has been flurry of research conducted into SBD process. Most of the documentations about SBD highlight its general principles and characteristics. In this thesis, I have taken a more focused approach by targeting planning and concept development phases in particular. Rules to select or deselect concepts have been extensively discussed in this research followed by providing an effective structure to implement SBD in concept development process. The form and function distinction during the concept development cycle has been clearly examined and documented. The research has been conducted independent of any organization or product type and therefore is applicable to any product development scenario and can be easily adopted by any organization.