Product innovation through management of collaborative design in concurrent engineering

The control of engineering design processes is a complex problem that takes place within conflicting contexts combining technical, economic and social aspects. This paper presents the results of a study on the development of new methods and tools for the control of manufactured product design. In discussing these approaches, the paper shows their limitations with respect to the control of design coordination and collaboration, especially when the sociotechnical aspects of the design process are studied. A design control model and collaboration taxonomy that would enhance decisions concerning the coordination of design projects is presented. The tools discussed are the result of empirical studies based on the experiences of different industrial companies. The paper concludes by highlighting how these tools can be used for routine-based as well as innovative project operations.