Only suitable methods can help to move forward in the process of product development. Therefore it is important to choose a method that fits the product, current stage of development process and the team.
The project is currently in the evaluation phase in accordance to the value methodology. One of the major purposes of this stage is to come up with a short list of projects with the highest potential. Hence, a selection process needs to be executed to produce a focused concept. The focus concept will then be used in the next stages to be developed further.
The weighted matrix is a method that is used at an early stage in product development process to select a concept that looks the most promising. This method helps to increase customer value and at the same time make a selection that is objective.
Therefore the weighted matrix was chosen in this project to help make a selection among the choice of concepts.
Often it is difficult to come to a consensus among group members as everyone is biased by their profession. Everyone has a subjective way of ranking the concepts according to their experiences and knowledge. Such a ranking can lead to dissatisfaction and conflicts in the team as well as choosing a concept that has not the most potential from a customer perspective. The weighted matrix makes the decision process on the one hand a group experience where everyone is involved and gets the acknowledgement of their knowledge and on the other hand more objective.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Engineering Methods
2.1. The value methodology
2.2. Theoretical framework of the weighted matrix – Pugh decision matrix
2.3. Application and evaluation of the weighted matrix – Pugh decision matrix
3. The methodology process and phases
3.1. Project schedule
3.2. The methodology process
Choosing the baseline
Choosing the criteria list
Executing the evaluation
4. Conclusion
5. Appendix
5.1. Design Brief of the case company, including company description
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines the application of the value methodology and the Pugh decision matrix to streamline the product development process within a case company. The primary goal is to provide an objective, group-based decision-making framework to evaluate alternative design concepts and select the one with the highest potential for customer value and sustainable performance.
- Application of the Pugh Decision Matrix for concept selection.
- Evaluation of product life cycle impacts and environmental sustainability.
- Methodological integration of functional analysis and decision-making tools.
- Assessment of material properties and cost-efficiency in product design.
- Optimization of the project development schedule.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3. Application and evaluation of the weighted matrix – Pugh decision matrix
The Pugh decision matrix concentrates on qualitative decisions (Samuel & Weir, 2005). Therefore it interlinks well with the value methodology where emphasis is put on the added value for the customer. Furthermore it is often used at early stages of decision making (Farag, 2014), which applies to the current situation of the project team.
When applying Pugh decision matrix, the first thing that needs to be done is to have a clear understanding of the existing concepts. The team members have generated three concepts: concept 1, concept 2 and concept 3. The main materials of these concepts are fiber board, which is the only similarity of these concepts. The difference is the constructional structure.
Concept 1 uses wood frames to support the coffin and make it more stable.
Concept 2 consists of fiber board only. It has some ingenious structures, like a double layer to support the coffin and make it stable.
Concept 3 is the combination of concept 1 and 2, basing the double-layers structure, adding wood frames to provide stronger capacity, at the same time, it may cost more.
To make a Pugh decision matrix, after having the concepts, the next step is to choose the baseline. For this project, the traditional coffin was used as the baseline. It has traditional shapes as most of western coffin in the market used the same shape; also it is totally consist of solid woods, which can provide tough strength.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the necessity of appropriate methods in product development and introduces the Pugh decision matrix as a tool for objective concept selection.
2. Engineering Methods: Details the value methodology and the theoretical framework of the Pugh decision matrix, highlighting their role in enhancing customer value.
3. The methodology process and phases: Documents the practical application of the chosen methods, including the project timeline and the criteria-based evaluation of design concepts.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the effectiveness of the Pugh analysis in reducing group bias and outlines potential improvements for future applications, such as weighting criteria.
5. Appendix: Provides the original design brief from the case company.
Keywords
Value Methodology, Pugh Decision Matrix, Product Development, Concept Selection, Sustainability, Fiberboard, Engineering Process, Customer Value, Environmental Impact, Design Concepts, Material Strength, Project Schedule, Decision-Making, Innovation, Resource Efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
This work focuses on implementing a structured decision-making process within product development to select the most promising design concept among alternatives.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the value methodology, Pugh decision matrix application, sustainability in product design, and balancing cost with functional performance.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to move from subjective group opinions to an objective, criteria-based selection process that enhances customer value and supports the development of sustainable products.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The publication utilizes the Value Methodology and the Pugh Decision Matrix, supported by qualitative market analysis and environmental life cycle assessment.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the theoretical background of engineering tools, the specific application of these tools to a case study involving coffin design, and a detailed documentation of project phases.
Which keywords define the scope of the work?
Key terms include Value Methodology, Pugh Decision Matrix, Product Development, Sustainability, and Concept Selection.
Why was the Pugh Decision Matrix specifically chosen for this project?
It was chosen because it facilitates a group-based decision-making process that mitigates individual biases and helps evaluate concepts when they are still in an early, "fuzzy" development stage.
How does the cardboard coffin compare to traditional wooden alternatives?
The analysis demonstrates that a cardboard-based coffin is more environmentally friendly, lighter to carry, and more cost-effective, though it requires specific construction techniques to ensure structural stability.
- Citar trabajo
- Anna Lena Bischoff (Autor), 2016, Methods at Work in Engineering. The weighted matrix, Pugh Matrix and QFD method for decision making in product development, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/315240
