Empirically-Derived Principles for Designing Products With Flexibility for Future Evolution

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren A. Keese ◽  
Andrew H. Tilstra ◽  
Carolyn C. Seepersad ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
Product Flexibility ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Product Study ◽  
Flexible Products ◽  
Research Studies

Product designers seek to create products that are not only robust for the current marketplace but also can be redesigned quickly and inexpensively for future changes that may be unanticipated. The capability of a design to be quickly and economically redesigned into a subsequent product offering is defined as its flexibility for future evolution. Tools are needed for innovating and evaluating products that are flexible for future evolution. In this paper, a comprehensive set of design guidelines is created for product flexibility by merging the results of two research studies—a directed patent study of notably flexible products and an empirical product study of consumer products analyzed with a product flexibility metric. Via comparison of the results of these two studies, the product flexibility guidelines derived from each study are merged, cross-validated, and revised for clarity. They are organized in categories that describe how and under what circumstances they increase flexibility for future evolution. Examples are included to illustrate each guideline. The guidelines are also applied to an example application—the design of a new guitar string changer.

Industrial Case Studies in Product Flexibility for Future Evolution: An Application and Evaluation of Design Guidelines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew H. Tilstra ◽  
Peter B. Backlund ◽  
Carolyn C. Seepersad ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
Process And Outcome ◽  
Product Flexibility ◽  
Welding System ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Flexible Products

A product’s flexibility for future evolution is its ability to be quickly and economically adapted to meet changing requirements. In previous work, a set of guidelines has been developed for designing flexible products. In this paper, two similar industrial case studies are presented to investigate the effectiveness of these guidelines for designing small-lot products with flexibility for future evolution. The systems are real products that have been designed and built by the authors, providing unrestricted insight into the design process and outcome of each project. The first product, a large testing system for high pressure seals, was designed without the aid of flexibility for future evolution guidelines. The second product, an automated welding test station, was designed with flexibility for future evolution as a specific deliverable of the final product. The flexibility of each system was measured by considering its adaptability to prototypical change modes. Of the two systems, the welding system was found to be more flexible than the seal testing system. The welding system also served as an example of integrating product flexibility guidelines throughout the development process.

Analysis of Product Flexibility for Future Evolution Based on Design Guidelines and a High-Definition Design Structure Matrix

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew H. Tilstra ◽  
Carolyn C. Seepersad ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Future Generation ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Design Structure Matrix ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Product Representation ◽  
Structure Matrix ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
Design Structure ◽  
Product Flexibility ◽  
Market Needs

The design of a product determines the flexibility of that product for future evolutions, which may arise from a variety of change modes such as new market needs or technological change. The energy, material, and information exchanged between components of a product along with the spatial relationships and movement between those components all influence the ability of that product’s design to be evolved to meet the new requirements of a future generation. Previous work has produced a set of guidelines for product flexibility for future evolution that have been shown to improve the ability of a design to be adapted when new needs arise. Although these guidelines are conceptually easy to understand, it is difficult to assess the extent to which a product follows the guidelines. This paper presents a systematic method to analyze the flexibility for future evolution of products based on selected guidelines. The High-Definition Design Structure Matrix is presented as a product representation model which captures sufficient interaction information to highlight potential design improvements based on the aforementioned guidelines. An interaction basis is used to facilitate the consistency and comparison of HD-DSM models created by different examiners and/or for different systems. The selected guidelines are interpreted in terms of the HD-DSM by creating analysis processes that relate to the characteristics described by the guideline. Two similar power screwdrivers are compared for flexibility for future evolution based on a quantitative analysis of their respective HD-DSMs.

The Impact of Hazard Statement Design Elements in Procedures: Counterintuitive Findings and Implications for Standards

2021 ◽  
pp. 001872082110501
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Hendricks ◽  
S. Camille Peres ◽  
Stefan V. Dumlao ◽  
Cara A. Armstrong ◽  
Timothy J. Neville
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
High Fidelity Simulation ◽  
Consistent Finding ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Standard Operating ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Objective The objective of these studies was to identify hazard statement (HS) design elements in procedures that affected whether both workers and lab participants performed the associated hazard mitigation. Background Many of the incidents in high-risk industries are the result of issues with procedures (e.g., standard operating procedures; SOPs) workers use to support their performance. HSs in these procedures are meant to communicate potential work hazards and methods of mitigating those hazards. However, there is little empirical research regarding whether current hazard design guidelines for consumer products translate to procedures. Method Two experimental studies—(1) a laboratory study and (2) a high-fidelity simulation—manipulated the HS design elements present in procedures participants used while performing tasks. Participants’ adherence to the mitigation of the hazard was compared for the HS designs. Results The guidelines for HSs from consumer products did not translate to procedures. Specifically, the presence of an alert icon, a box around the statement, and highlighting the statement did not improve adherence to HSs. Indeed, the only consistent finding was for the Icon, with its presence reliably predicting nonadherence in both studies. Additionally, the total number of design elements did not have a positive effect on adherence. Conclusion These findings indicate that more fundamental procedure HSs research is needed to identify effective designs as well as to understand the potential attentional mechanisms associated with these findings. Application The findings from these studies indicate that current regulations and guidelines should be revisited regarding hazard presentation in procedures.

Effects of Warning Signal Words on Consumer-Product Hazard Perceptions

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (13) ◽  
pp. 935-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Wogalter ◽  
Stephen W. Jarrard ◽  
S. Noel Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Research Study ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
The Other ◽  
Warning Message ◽  
Household Products ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Product Familiarity

This experiment investigated the influence of warning signal words and a signal icon on perceptions of hazard for consumer products. Under the pretext of a marketing research study, 90 high school and college students rated product labels on variables such as product familiarity, frequency of use, and perceived hazard. Sixteen labels from actual household products were used and stored on a computer. Nine of the products labels were used to carry the nine signal word conditions. Five conditions presented the signal words NOTE, CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER, and LETHAL together with a brief warning message. In two other conditions a signal icon (exclamation point surrounded by a triangle) was presented together with the terms DANGER and LETHAL. The final two conditions were controls, one had a warning message but had no signal word, and the other had no warning message or signal word. Seven product labels were “fillers” that never contained a warning. Results showed that the presence of a signal word increased perceived hazard compared to its absence. Between extreme terms (e.g., NOTE and DANGER), significant differences were noted, but not between terms usually recommended in warning design guidelines. The presence of the signal icon had no significant effect on hazard perception. Implications of the results and the value of the research methodology for future warnings” investigations are discussed.

An Enhanced Change Modes and Effects Analysis (CMEA) Tool for Measuring Product Flexibility With Applications to Consumer Products

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren A. Keese ◽  
Neha P. Takawale ◽  
Carolyn C. Seepersad ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Mass Customization ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Product Architecture ◽  
Product Families ◽  
Current Product ◽  
Product Flexibility ◽  
Basic Ability

Contemporary product designers seek to create products that are not only robust for the current marketplace but also flexible for future changes, adaptations, and evolutions. This type of product flexibility is distinctive from mass customization, product architecture of singular products, and product families. The intent is to design products that intrinsically enable future changes even though such changes may not be known or planned in the current product offering. To accommodate product flexibility of this type, research advancements are needed in terms of fundamental design principles and evaluation methods for predicting and improving the flexibility of a product. This paper presents advancements in both areas. We first present the systematic enhancement of a flexibility assessment tool referred to as CMEA, Change Modes and Effects Analysis. CMEA provides the basic ability to assess the flexibility of a product, with analogous features to the well-known Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. Our enhancements extend the method to provide for intuitive and more repeatable measures of flexibility. We then use the enhanced CMEA to investigate a variety of consumer products with the goal of inductively deriving product flexibility principles. Concrete applications are shown for these principles from the domain of power yard tools, such as hedge trimmers, weed trimmers, and leaf blowers. Also, the applications are used to demonstrate the value of the CMEA enhancements.

Single Line Display Menu

1995 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung H. Han ◽  
Jiyoung Kwahk
Keyword(s):  
Search Task ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
User Preference ◽  
Single Line ◽  
Search Performance ◽  
Target Search ◽  
Search Tasks ◽  
Single Target ◽  
Speed Accuracy

Many electronic consumer products use a single line display which is capable of presenting a limited number of characters at a time. Although many design guidelines have been proposed, they are applicable only to the menus on ordinary CRT displays. This study examined the effects of four different variables: menu structure, user experience, navigation aid, and number of target items on designing the menu on a single line display. Four dependent measures, speed, accuracy, efficiency, and user preference of a target search task, were collected. The results showed that the 82 structure turned out to be an optimal menu structure for single-line display menus. The navigation aid improved the search performance of the inexperienced. Interestingly, multiple target search tasks recorded a better performance than single target search tasks. Based on the results, design implications were discussed.

Human Factors Design Guidelines for the Disabled

1989 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Selection Of

In an effort to develop human factors guidelines for designing consumer products for the disabled a series of interviews and surveys were conducted in the homes of noninstitutionalized disabled people. The study covered a variety of disabilities, and where possible, individuals with several different levels of a given disability were included. A detailed set of recommendations of specific controls for use on products to be used by disabled people was found to be impractical because interfaces which are desirable to one disabled person are often a bad choice for another. The greatest problem for most disabled consumers is the variety of controls often found on a product. If one key control is inoperable by a person, the product may be unusable for that person. A preferred method for designing for the disabled is to use less variety in the selection of controls on each product. By reducing the within product variability along certain key design dimensions an individual capable of using some of the controls is more likely to be able to use them all.

Implications of Ergonomic and User Considerations on Manufacturing Consumer Products

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkat Allada ◽  
Parimal Kopardekar ◽  
S. Anand ◽  
Anil Mital
Keyword(s):  
Linear Programming ◽  
Product Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Consumer Product ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Human Capabilities ◽  
Product Design Process

Abstract Most designers do not consider ergonomic guidelines in designing consumer products. Also, very little attention is generally paid to user needs and preferences. It is imperative that consumer products be designed keeping in mind the human capabilities and limitations. Such considerations in the product design process are necessary since the market is becoming competitive and users more picky. The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of ergonomic design guidelines on consumer product design, its manufacturing, and associated costs. A Linear Programming model is also developed to assist designers in the product design process.

Guidelines for Product Evolution Using Effort Flow Analysis: Results of an Empirical Study

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Greer ◽  
John J. Wood ◽  
Daniel D. Jensen ◽  
Kristin L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Product Group ◽  
Product Evolution ◽  
Derived Design ◽  
Systematic Framework ◽  
Product Study

The results of an empirical product study aimed at deducing product evolution design guidelines are presented. The derived design guidelines support a directed product evolution methodology known as effort flow analysis. Effort flow analysis provides a systematic framework for identifying component combination opportunities leading to either rigid-body or compliant mechanisms in the domain of mechanical effort transmissions. Design guidelines, effort flow analysis, and the empirical study are discussed. A classified list of the derived guidelines is presented along with analysis of a sample product group from the study.

Operation of Controls on Consumer Products by Physically Impaired Users

1993 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kanis
Keyword(s):  
Control Device ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Upper Extremities ◽  
The Self ◽  
Force Measurements ◽  
Design Recommendations ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Muscular Disease ◽  
Comparison Of The Results

The self-reliance of the physically impaired can be seriously jeopardized by their inability to operate everyday products, especially if both upper extremities are impaired. To determine the difficulties impaired users encounter in operating consumer product controls, on-site video recordings were made of subjects suffering from arthritis or a muscular disease. Subjects' force exertion was compared with that of a group of nonimpaired users. The resulting inventory allowed the analysis of the manipulation problems faced by impaired subjects and the development of design recommendations. In this study the force exerted by the subjects and that required to operate the controls were measured. A comparison of the results of these force measurements led to a number of conclusions. This study led to the following design recommendations: the amount of force required to operate controls should be kept as low as possible; the user should not be required to make two manipulations at the same time. such as simultaneously pushing and rotating a control device; pushing is preferable to rotating; and there should be a great degree of freedom to manipulate controls.

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