Design Rationale
Current approaches to DR
Practical approaches to the implementation and representation of Design Rationale (DR) have involved a variety of related approaches, which include:
- IBIS (Issue Based Information System),
- PHI (Procedural Hierarchies of Issues), and
- Functional representation.
Relevant issues
Some of the more basic questions relating to DR that are asked in the literature are:
- If knowing DR is useful, why are DR systems not in widespread use in engineering?
- How can DR systems be better used to support engineering design? and
- What are the obstacles to the creation of useful and usable DR systems?
Some of our views on this issue are included in a research highlight about Design Rationale.
Our approach
Our review of this area showed that a primary reason such methodologies are not in common use is that the systems developed so far do not sufficiently meet the demands of industry. Two main points that emerged during our review are:
- There are similarities with knowledge management approaches, and
- Most practical DR systems seem to exist with the aid of other systems. For example CAD or general computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools.
The EDC intends to address these issues in future work.
Contact the EDC
For further details of the EDC's activities please get in touch with us through our contact page.
Commercial Research at Newcastle University
A full list of commercially available research facilities for Newcastle University can be found on the Services for Business web pages.
Highlight for April 2008
Integrated Modelling for Strategic Planning
Strategic planning for sustainability requires complex systems to be modelled.
Because of this complexity, it is unrealistic to develop new and comprehensive models for each of the numerous possible situations likely to be encountered. Many models already exist ...
Previous highlights
About the Events Diary
Upcoming seminars
The EDC often hosts, arranges or is associated with a wide variety of seminars related to its activities.
These seminars (often in association with an engineering institute) are always open to students and staff at the university and often to the public.
Upcoming events will be listed on this website in the future. Please check back from time to time for updates.
