Network-Based Analysis of Requirement Change in Customized Complex Product Development

Requirement change impact analysis has been acknowledged as one of the crucial steps in product design. In this paper, we propose a network-based method to analyze change impact. By defining interconnections among parts, we build a directed weighted complex product network model to represent the product structure under given requirements. Then, we discuss two requirement change cases and develop corresponding modification policies. To specify indirect impacts, we propose a change propagation searching model in light of Matthew Effect theory. To measure the degree of change impacts, we propose two criteria (network variation scale and extra network change cost), both of which can provide a systemic assessment of impacts. Finally, a case of clutch is presented to illustrate the proposed approach. The results can provide way of measuring overall change impacts on the product, which can support decision-makers to respond that the change request can be fulfilled or not.