Systematic variation

Activities

• Activity 2: Determining functions and their structures
• Activity 3: Searching for solution principles and their solutions
• Activity 5: Subdivision into modules and interface definitions
• Activity 6: Designing the modules
• Activity 7: Integrating the product as a whole

Description

Discursive procedure for determining the most complete possible solution field for a problem. To this end, the characteristics of various solution properties are systematically changed. The aim is to consider every possible combination of properties and thereby find innovative solutions.

Procedure

1. Define the problem
2. Determine variation parameters
3. Change the characteristics of the variation parameters and assess combinations

1. Identify potential overall solutions

Sources

• Ehrlenspiel 2013, p. 564-587
• Lindemann 2009, p. 311
• Pahl u.a. 2007, p. 78