A framework for capturing and applying design knowledge in new product development

Abstract

The large amount of information that permeates the various activities of the new product development process (NDP) has become increasingly common in many organisations. Under these conditions, there are difficulties in sharing and reusing design knowledge, especially by the fact that this knowledge is available within the company in different formats and locations. Due to this, design engineers often fail to use such information. To ensure a better use, it is important to organise and integrate the available knowledge in a collaborative manner. Through KBE concepts, the current study aims to develop a set of tools for assisting decision making, by storing and providing useful information in a timely manner. Such solution should meet the needs of its users (i.e., designers), as well as improve the quality of design activities along the NDP. The application of the present proposal, still under development, is expected to facilitate the access to information, significantly reduce the number of engineering change requests, as well as allow acquired knowledge to be used in subsequent projects.