Structured to Succeed? Strategy Dynamics in Engineering Systems Design and Their Effect on Collective Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambrosio Valencia-Romero ◽  
Paul T. Grogan
Keyword(s):  
Systems Design ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Social Constructs ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Individual Outcomes ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Collective Performance ◽  
Initial Description ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Strategy dynamics are hypothesized to be a structural factor of interactive multi-actor design problems that influence collective performance and behaviors of design actors. Using a bi-level model of collective decision processes based on design optimization and strategy selection, we formulate a series of two-actor parameter design tasks that exhibit four strategy dynamics (harmony, coexistence, bistability, and defection) associated with low and high levels of structural fear and greed. In these tasks, design actor pairs work collectively to maximize their individual values while managing the trade-offs between aligning with or deviating from a mutually beneficial collective strategy. Results from a human subject design experiment indicate cognizant actors generally follow normative predictions for some strategy dynamics (harmony and coexistence) but not strictly for others (bistability and defection). Cumulative link model regression analysis shows that a greed factor contributing to strategy dynamics has a stronger effect on collective efficiency and equality of individual outcomes compared to a fear factor. Results of this study provide an initial description of strategy dynamics in engineering design and help to frame future work to mitigate potential unfavorable effects of their underlying strategy dynamics through social constructs or mechanism design.

Multiobjective Collaborative Optimization

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravindra V. Tappeta ◽  
John E. Renaud
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Collaborative Optimization ◽  
Multidisciplinary Design ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Multidisciplinary Systems

Abstract This investigation focuses on the development of modifications to the Collaborative Optimization (CO) approach to multidisciplinary systems design, that will provide solution capabilities for multiobjective problems. The primary goal of this research is to provide a comprehensive overview and development of mathematically rigorous optimization strategies for MultiObjective Collaborative Optimization (MOCO). Collaborative Optimization strategies provide design optimization capabilities to discipline designers within a multidisciplinary design environment. To date these CO strategies have primarily been applied to system design problems which have a single objective function. Recent investigations involving multidisciplinary design simulators have reported success in applying CO to multiobjective system design problems. In this research three MultiObjective Collaborative Optimization (MOCO) strategies are developed, reviewed and implemented in a comparative study. The goal of this effort is to provide an in depth comparison of different MOCO strategies available to system designers. Each of the three strategies makes use of parameter sensitivities within multilevel solution strategies. In implementation studies, each of the three MOCO strategies is effective in solving two multiobjective multidisciplinary systems design problems. Results indicate that these MOCO strategies require an accurate estimation of parameter sensitivities for successful implementation. In each of the three MOCO strategies these parameter sensitivities are obtained using post-optimality analysis techniques.

Exploring design trade-offs for achieving social inclusion in multi-tiered design problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Fogli ◽  
Antonio Piccinno ◽  
Stefan Carmien ◽  
Gerhard Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Trade Offs

Combining Lean and Six Sigma in the context of Systems Engineering design

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Sreeram ◽  
Asokan Thondiyath
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
System Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a combined framework for system design using Six Sigma and Lean concepts. Systems Engineering has evolved independently and there are numerous tools and techniques available to address issues that may arise in the design of systems. In the context of systems design, the application of Six Sigma and Lean concepts results in a flexible and adaptable framework. A combined framework is presented here that allows better visualization of the system-level components and their interactions at parametric level, and it also illuminates gaps that make way for continuous improvement. The Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act is the basis of this framework. Three case studies are presented to evaluate the application of this framework in the context of Systems Engineering design. The paper concludes with a summary of advantages of using a combined framework, its limitations and scope for future work. Design/methodology/approach – Six Sigma, Lean and Systems Engineering approaches combined into a framework for collaborative product development. Findings – The present framework is not rigid and does not attempt to force fit any tools or concepts. The framework is generic and allows flexibility through a plug and play type of implementation. This is important, as engineering change needs vary constantly to meet consumer demands. Therefore, it is important to engrain flexibility in the development of a foundational framework for design-encapsulating improvements and innovation. From a sustainability perspective, it is important to develop techniques that drive rationality in the decisions, especially during tradeoffs and conflicts. Research limitations/implications – Scalability of the approach for large systems where complex interactions exist. Besides, the application of negotiation techniques for more than three persons poses a challenge from a mathematical context. Future research should address these in the context of systems design using Six Sigma and Lean techniques. Practical implications – This paper provides a flexible framework for combining the three techniques based on Six Sigma, Lean and Systems Engineering. Social implications – This paper will influence the construction of agent-based systems, particularly the ones using the Habermas’s theory of social action as the basis for product development. Originality/value – This paper has not been published in any other journal or conference.

A Complexity Code for Manufacturing Systems

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda A. ElMaraghy
Keyword(s):  
Structural Control ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Manufacturing System ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Coding System ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Manufacturing Systems Design ◽  
Structural Time ◽  
Design Comparison

A new coding system is introduced to classify manufacturing systems and capture the characteristics of the various pieces of equipment and the relationships among them within a manufacturing system, which contribute to their structural, time-independent inherent complexity. The manufacturing Systems Complexity Code (SCC) consists of fields representing equipment, such as machines, buffers and transporters, as well as their layout. Each field contains a string of digits, the value of which depends on the degree of structural, control, programming and operation complexity of theses entities. The developed coding system has many applications including manufacturing systems design, comparison and planning, assessment of their complexity and evaluation of redesign alternatives and trade-offs. The new coding system is described along with its applications and demonstration examples.

Single-Occupancy Patient Rooms: A Systematic Review of the Literature Since 2006

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Taylor ◽  
Alan J. Card ◽  
Melissa Piatkowski
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Appraisal System ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Individual Outcomes ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Aim: Our review evaluated both the effects of single-occupancy patient rooms (SPRs) on patient outcomes for hospitalized adults and user opinion related to SPRs. Background: In 2006, a requirement for SPRs in hospitals was instituted in the United States. This systematic literature review evaluates research published since that time to evaluate the impact of SPRs. Methods: The review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus. Supplemental searches were performed. We included studies reporting patient outcomes or user opinion related to SPRs. Appraisal was conducted using a dual appraisal system of evidence levels and methodological quality. Results: Forty-three studies qualified for appraisal. Three were excluded due to methodological quality (no appraisal score). One study was appraised for three individual outcomes (i.e., falls, infections, and user opinion). Eleven studies with low methodological quality scores were not included in the narrative synthesis. Overall, 87% of studies reported advantages associated with SPRs (some a combination of advantages and disadvantages or a combination of advantages and neutral results). Outcomes with the best evidence of benefit include communication, infection control, noise reduction/perceived sleep quality, and preference/perception. Conclusion: SPRs seem to result in more advantages than disadvantages. However, healthcare is a complex adaptive system, and decisions for 100% SPRs should be reviewed alongside related issues, such as necessary workflow modifications, unit configuration and other room layout decisions, patient populations, staffing models, and inherent trade-offs (e.g., the advantages of privacy compared to disadvantage of isolation).

scholarly journals A Case for Security-Aware Design-Space Exploration of Embedded Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Andy D. Pimentel
Keyword(s):  
Embedded Systems ◽  
Embedded System ◽  
Design Space Exploration ◽  
Design Space ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Design System ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Trade Offs

As modern embedded systems are becoming more and more ubiquitous and interconnected, they attract a world-wide attention of attackers and the security aspect is more important than ever during the design of those systems. Moreover, given the ever-increasing complexity of the applications that run on these systems, it becomes increasingly difficult to meet all security criteria. While extra-functional design objectives such as performance and power/energy consumption are typically taken into account already during the very early stages of embedded systems design, system security is still mostly considered as an afterthought. That is, security is usually not regarded in the process of (early) design-space exploration of embedded systems, which is the critical process of multi-objective optimization that aims at optimizing the extra-functional behavior of a design. This position paper argues for the development of techniques for quantifying the ’degree of secureness’ of embedded system design instances such that these can be incorporated in a multi-objective optimization process. Such technology would allow for the optimization of security aspects of embedded systems during the earliest design phases as well as for studying the trade-offs between security and the other design objectives such as performance, power consumption and cost.

scholarly journals Visual Demand Evaluation Methods for In-Vehicle Interfaces

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pettitt ◽  
Gary Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Task Time ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Occlusion Technique ◽  
Vehicle Information ◽  
Future Work

The primary aim of the research presented in this paper is developing a method for assessing the visual demand (distraction) afforded by in-vehicle information systems (IVIS). In this respect, two alternative methods are considered within the research. The occlusion technique evaluates IVIS tasks in interrupted vision conditions, predicting likely visual demand. However, the technique necessitates performance-focused user trials utilising robust prototypes, and consequently has limitations as an economic evaluation method. In contrast, the Keystroke Level Model (KLM) has long been viewed as a reliable and valid means of modelling human performance and making task time predictions, therefore not requiring empirical trials or a working prototype. The research includes four empirical studies in which an extended KLM was developed and subsequently validated as a means of predicting measures relevant to the occlusion protocol. Future work will develop the method further to widen its scope, introduce new measures, and link the technique to existing design practices.

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