Understanding Designers Behavior in Parameter Design Activities

Successful design processes and tools are vital for the success of any design project, particularly when developing aerospace, automotive and other complex systems that can entail imposing design constraints to meet desired objectives. These constraints, coupled with a lack of uniform strategies to define, acquire and process the interaction between designers and tools, add new challenges to the design process. So appropriate processes and tools that allow problem designers to assist in framing and resolving complex design problems can extend the power of the individual working memory, according to previous research. This current research investigates the behavior of engineers working on a parameter design experiment. In the study, 30 subjects solved parameter design problems with both coupled and uncoupled variables. Results showed a relationship among designers’ actions and other features such as gender, recorded error, problem complexity, and performance. These findings can guide future research into engineering design and can inform ideas for better strategies for various aspects of parameter designing.