Evaluating product development task interactions using network analysis

Shawn Collins, Ali A. Yassine

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    1 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    This paper proposes the integration of two useful systems engineering analysis tools, the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) and Network Analysis (NA) to study task interactions in a Product Development Process (PDP) using a small engineering company as a case study. The DSM is a matrix-based systems engineering tool that enables streamlining of the PDP through task sequencing and simulation of project execution. NA techniques such as key players, centrality, influence, and brokerage provide methods to identify critical product development tasks and interactions to focus PDP improvement. Collecting interactions between product development tasks in matrix form provides opportunities to use DSM and NA techniques to identify highly central tasks and identify patterns of cross-coupling between tasks and the groups performing those tasks. One benefit is the ability to describe feedback characteristics of critical PDP tasks. This is valuable when evaluating the impact of omitting, combining, or resequencing task execution based on program-specific constraints.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication17th Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2007 - Systems Engineering
    Subtitle of host publicationKey to Intelligent Enterprises
    Pages1491-1505
    Number of pages15
    StatePublished - 2007
    Event17th Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2007 - San Diego, CA, United States
    Duration: 24 Jun 200728 Jun 2007

    Publication series

    Name17th Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2007 - Systems Engineering: Key to Intelligent Enterprises
    Volume3

    Conference

    Conference17th Annual International Symposium of the International Council on Systems Engineering, INCOSE 2007
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego, CA
    Period24/06/0728/06/07

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