The field of engineering design is currently undergoing a profound transformation. The availability of powerful computer tools as well as increased connectivity concerning tools and products have not only reshaped the tools and methods engineers use, but also have considerably altered the processes through which innovative products are conceived and developed. This paper reflects this trend and is consequently a collection of prominent changes as well as an analysis of the drivers and consequences of these changes and a deduction of implications concerning future design processes and design methods. One main driver for change is the presence of some form of digital design process management. Today, in most engineering companies, a digital design process management is implemented, which prescribes design synthesis results such as required product models with their respective level of maturity and also prescribes analysis results such as required simulations. Additionally, milestones, mechanisms for version, variant and configuration management as well as further aspects of the product life cycle management are included in this digital design process management. Through the application of the digital design process management considerable advantages in terms of process transparency and time to market can be achieved and deficiencies such as redundant data storage or contradictions can be avoided, but the processes of design engineers are considerably altered. It is desirable that the needs of these design engineers are considered in the synthesis of the digital design process management. The second main driver for the current changes in the design processes is an increase of the possibilities for fast prototyping. This covers both in the virtual domain with simplified finite element analyses within the design system (usually CAD system) and the physical domain with fast and easy possibilities for 3-D-printing. As a third prominent driver for the current changes in the design processes, an altered communication behaviour can be identified. An important influence was the COVID pandemic, but also before that online meetings were frequent in internationally operating companies. Meanwhile, designers communicate frequently using digital collaboration platforms and virtual as well as hybrid meetings seem to have become the preferred mode of collaboration. This paper scrutinizes the manifold consequences of these three drivers and explains how these should be considered in future design processes.

Design Methods and Design Processes in the Digital Age

会议论文
发表日期：

2026年

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Ralf Stetter

摘要

The field of engineering design is currently undergoing a profound transformation. The availability of powerful computer tools as well as increased connectivity concerning tools and products have not only reshaped the tools and methods engineers use, but also have considerably altered the processes through which innovative products are conceived and developed. This paper reflects this trend and is consequently a collection of prominent changes as well as an analysis of the drivers and consequences of these changes and a deduction of implications concerning future design processes and design methods. One main driver for change is the presence of some form of digital design process management. Today, in most engineering companies, a digital design process management is implemented, which prescribes design synthesis results such as required product models with their respective level of maturity and also prescribes analysis results such as required simulations. Additionally, milestones, mechanisms for version, variant and configuration management as well as further aspects of the product life cycle management are included in this digital design process management. Through the application of the digital design process management considerable advantages in terms of process transparency and time to market can be achieved and deficiencies such as redundant data storage or contradictions can be avoided, but the processes of design engineers are considerably altered. It is desirable that the needs of these design engineers are considered in the synthesis of the digital design process management. The second main driver for the current changes in the design processes is an increase of the possibilities for fast prototyping. This covers both in the virtual domain with simplified finite element analyses within the design system (usually CAD system) and the physical domain with fast and easy possibilities for 3-D-printing. As a third prominent driver for the current changes in the design processes, an altered communication behaviour can be identified. An important influence was the COVID pandemic, but also before that online meetings were frequent in internationally operating companies. Meanwhile, designers communicate frequently using digital collaboration platforms and virtual as well as hybrid meetings seem to have become the preferred mode of collaboration. This paper scrutinizes the manifold consequences of these three drivers and explains how these should be considered in future design processes.