Optimal Process Architectures for Distributed Design Using a Social Network Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Cormier ◽  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Solution Process ◽  
Design System ◽  
Optimal Order ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Design Systems

Distributed design systems fundamentally preserve individual design subsystem secrecy by limiting communication across subsystems. The natural secrecy of distributed design makes it difficult for design process managers to determine the appropriate order of subsystems in the design process. In this paper, we discuss a social network theory based heuristic to prescribe the optimal order of design subsystems. We call the order of the design subsystems process architecture and we leverage concepts like ‘distance,’ ‘bridging,’ and degree centrality’ to analyze the aggregate design system and identify preferable solution process architectures. Our network theory approach only requires a manager to know which subsystems share design information. We distinguish this research from previous work by empirically validating the heuristic against a genetic algorithm for 80 randomly generated distributed design systems. The heuristic performs well against the genetic algorithm and beats it in the majority of cases. Moreover, it does so without requiring any function evaluations.

The Impact of Process Architecture on Equilibrium Stability in Distributed Design

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Solution Process ◽  
System Stability ◽  
System Level ◽  
Design System ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
General Process ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Process Architecture ◽  
The Impact

In distributed design processes, individual design subsystems have local control over design variables and seek to satisfy their own individual objectives, which may also be influenced by some system level objectives. The resulting network of coupled subsystems will either converge to a stable equilibrium or diverge in an unstable manner. In this paper, we study the dependence of system stability on the solution process architecture. The solution process architecture describes how the design subsystems are ordered and can be either sequential, parallel, or a hybrid that incorporates both parallel and sequential elements. In this paper, we demonstrate that the stability of a distributed design system does indeed depend on the solution process architecture chosen, and we create a general process architecture model based on linear systems theory. The model allows the stability of equilibrium solutions to be analyzed for distributed design systems by converting any process architecture into an equivalent parallel representation. Moreover, we show that this approach can accurately predict when the equilibrium is unstable and the system divergent when previous models suggest that the system is convergent.

Exploring the effectiveness of parallel systems in distributed design processes subjected to stochastic disruptions

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourobh Ghosh ◽  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Parallel Systems ◽  
Design System ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Slow Convergence ◽  
Statistical Support ◽  
Design Case ◽  
Design Case Study

AbstractDuring the design of complex systems, a design process may be subjected to stochastic disruptions, interruptions, and changes, which can be described broadly as “design impulses.” These impulses can have a significant impact on the transient response and converged equilibrium for the design system. We distinguish this research by focusing on the interactions between local and architectural impulses in the form of designer mistakes and dissolution, division, and combination impulses, respectively, for a distributed design case study. We provide statistical support for the “parallel character hypothesis,” which asserts that parallel arrangements generally best mitigate dissolution and division impulses. We find that local impulses tend to slow convergence, but systems also subjected to dissolution or division impulses still favor parallel arrangements. We statistically uphold the conclusion that the strategy to mitigate combination impulses is unaffected by the presence of local impulses.

Incorporating Process Architecture in the Evaluation of Stability in Distributed Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Solution Process ◽  
System Stability ◽  
System Level ◽  
Design System ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Equilibrium Solutions ◽  
General Process ◽  
Architecture Model ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Process Architecture

In distributed design processes, individual design subsystems have local control over design variables and seek to satisfy their own individual objectives, which may also be influenced by some system level objectives. The resulting network of coupled subsystems will either converge to a stable equilibrium, or diverge in an unstable manner. In this paper, we study the dependence of system stability on the solution process architecture. The solution process architecture describes how the design subsystems are ordered and can be either sequential, parallel, or a hybrid that incorporates both parallel and sequential elements. In this paper we demonstrate that the stability of a distributed design system does indeed depend on the solution process architecture chosen and we create a general process architecture model based on linear systems theory. The model allows the stability of equilibrium solutions to be analyzed for distributed design systems by converting any process architecture into an equivalent parallel representation. Moreover, we show that this approach can accurately predict when the equilibrium is unstable and the system divergent when previous models suggest the system is convergent.

Examining Interactions Between Solution Architecture and Designer Mistakes

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Solution Process ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Convergence Time ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Damping Properties ◽  
Process Architecture ◽  
The Impact

When designing complex systems, it is often the case that a design process is subjected to a variety of unexpected inputs, interruptions, and changes. These disturbances can create unintended consequences including changes to the design process architecture, the planned design responsibilities, or the design objectives and requirements. In this paper a specific type of design disturbance, mistakes, is investigated. The impact of mistakes on the convergence time of a distributed multi-subsystem optimization problem is studied for several solution process architectures. A five subsystem case study is used to help understand the ability of certain architectures to handle the impact of the mistakes. These observations have led to the hypothesis that selecting distributed design architectures that minimize the number of iterations to propagate mistakes can significantly reduce their impact. It is also observed that design architectures that converge quickly tend to have these same error damping properties. Considering these observations when selecting distributed design architectures can passively reduce the impact of mistakes.

An Intelligent System for Weave Structure Design Based on Genetic Algorithm

2013 ◽  
Vol 378 ◽  
pp. 552-557
Author(s):  
Jeng Jong Lin
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Intelligent Design ◽  
Intelligent System ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Design System ◽  
System A ◽  
Weave Structure

An intelligent design system, which can generate a variety of patterns for a designer to evaluate each of them and scoring them by preference, is of great value to be created and developed by using genetic algorithm in this study. Through the assistance of the GA-based intelligent system, a fabric designer can proceed with the design process in a more flexible and effective way to obtain innovative weave structure. The problem of running out of creative inspiration for a designer can thus be eliminated.

Examining the Impact of Aggregated Design Impulses on Process Architecture in Distributed Design

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourobh Ghosh ◽  
Erich Devendorf ◽  
Kemper Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Design System ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Slow Convergence ◽  
Stochastic Inputs ◽  
Process Architecture ◽  
The Impact

During the design of complex systems, a design process may be subjected to stochastic inputs, interruptions, and changes. These design impulses can have a significant impact on the transient response and converged equilibrium for the design system. We distinguish this research by focusing on the interactions between local and architectural impulses in the form of designer mistakes and dissolution, division, and combination impulses, respectively. We find that local impulses tend to slow convergence but systems subjected to dissolution/division impulses still favor parallel arrangements. The strategy to mitigate combination impulses is unaffected by the presence of local impulses.

Guru is a Donut

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lange
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Distinctive Pattern ◽  
Network Position ◽  
Relational Perspective

How are global gurus successful in enchanting thousands of devotees? Common descriptions tend to highlight attributes of the actors, e.g. the charisma of the guru or the biographies and socio-economic backgrounds of the devotees. In my opinion this does not sufficiently explain the growth or stability of these movements. By using a social network theory approach, I focus on the types of ties between the involved actors. From this relational perspective, the network position of the actors and the qualities of the ties between them are the „material“ a guru-centered movement is made of. Instead of searching for more and more characteristics of the actors to explain the phenomenon (e.g. the guru's rhetoric skills and theological virtuosity or the devotee's disappointment with more conventional forms of religion), this approach helps to see a distinctive pattern of social organization that both enables and restricts interaction.

Mechanical Products Conceptual Innovation Design by Application of Enhanced Genetic Algorism

2012 ◽  
Vol 215-216 ◽  
pp. 506-509
Author(s):  
Zhi Hua Yuan ◽  
Hong Li Jiang ◽  
Zhi Jun Wang ◽  
Kun Peng Ma
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Knowledge Representation ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Design System ◽  
Detailed Design ◽  
Conceptual Innovation ◽  
Mechanical Products ◽  
Design Systems ◽  
Design Case

Currently, the mechanical products assistance design systems mainly focus on the detailed design and the function of mathematics models are often been neglected. In order to solve these problems, a application of mechanical products conceptual design is studied using Enhanced Genetic Algorithm (EGA) in this paper. The conceptual design system is established based on Object-oriented Knowledge representation, and at last a design case of conceptual innovation design is given.

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