How-To
In addition to the methods themselves, the wiki also contains basic explanations. These are not only a technical introduction to the topic, but the wiki itself is explained.
The entrance to the wiki is the Main_Page, which you are taken to the first time you access it. It briefly explains the wiki itself and what it is and. Furthermore, the page mainly consists of links to the first relevant pages. These include the How-To page (How-To) and explanations of the content (introduction). The How-To page explains the structure of the wiki and how it can be used. It is comparable to an instruction manual. The content explanation page introduces the necessary knowledge of product development. This includes the product models mentioned as well as the subdivision of phases and activities. As the main purpose of the wiki is to provide a clear overview, this information is kept to a minimum. Reference is made to further literature and aspects. The main literature used in the wiki is also mentioned on this page. The main part of the wiki consists of the methods. These are not all linked on the main page, but only their categories. These are the alphabetical overview of all methods Category:Method_collection, the nine categories (Category:Activities and the methods for the respective activities. By clicking on the corresponding category link, you will be taken to a page for the category. There, the category is briefly explained and all associated pages are listed alphabetically.
How to use the wiki
- If you know which method you want to find, you can search for it in the Category:Method_collection or via the search bar.
- If you know which phase/activity/problem you are in, you can search for the appropriate activity via the category Category:Activities and get an overview of suitable methods there.
How to edit the wiki
Corrections and changes are always welcome, if you have the authority to do so an. You can use the editor provided or source edit using the markup language (explanation found here MediaWiki Formatting). Keep in mind that the mehods profiles follow this scheme:
The name of the method is given in the title and as the page name.
In addition to this name, other names under which the method is known are also described. This is followed by the list Activities of all assigned activities according to VDI 2221 (2019). This serves to classify the method so that methods of the same activity can be assigned to each other. The next section, Necessary Tools, specifies the necessary or supporting tools for using the method. These can be real tools such as maps, software or computers, but also templates or calculation instructions that you need to have ready before using the method. This allows the user to assess how much additional effort needs to be put into the preparation and application of the method and whether this meets their requirements. As not all methods require tools, this section can also be omitted. Next comes a brief Description of the method and a list of the steps (Procedure) that you should go through when using it. The explanation describes the method and, if necessary, the use, the situation and the function of the method in order to gain a basic understanding of it. Not only the method itself is explained, but also the framework of the application. The user should understand when the use of the method is beneficial. The Procedure then provides a brief overview of the steps involved in using the method. This also includes instructions and rules for use, if applicable. This gives you a more precise idea of the sub-steps of the method, especially if the method has a complex structure. The section inbetween the last two, which is supplemented as necessary, shows Possibilities for support or Alternatives when using the method. Supplementary information on the method can be included here. Finally, sources and literature on the method are listed (Sources). In addition to the sources used, this also provides references to further explanations.
Please refer to existing pages to see how it works in detail.