Effective Collaboration Through Multi User CAx by Implementing New Methods of Product Specification and Management

• Main Author: Holyoak, Vonn L.
• Format: Others
• Published: BYU ScholarsArchive 2012
• Subjects: multi user CAx; collaboration; design process; specification gathering; task decomposition; task distribution; Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/3489; https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4488&context=etd

This thesis presents a new design process in which design specifications and task distribution are determined from a parallel multi user prospective. Using this method, projects are more easily decomposed into tasks that can be performed concurrently, thus decreasing the design time. Also, a framework is provided to determine the correct distribution of available talent and stakeholders that can be utilized on a given project. The research suggests that by involving the necessary stakeholders in a multi user setting, changes can be made quickly and without additional approval wait time. By including individuals from the various areas of required talent, persons of expertise will be able to work together in a mode of shared design rather than an iterative design process. Decreasing iterations as well as reducing wait time for approval will reduce the overall design time significantly. This method has been tested and validated utilizing controlled tests simulating real life situations of much larger scale. The validation results show that the new method does in fact improve design time and overall achievement of initial design goals