Signposting for design process improvement

This report presents a dynamic approach to design process planning which aims to enable design process improvement. The tool utilises a signposting model to direct activity by suggesting the next most appropriate task in the design process. This suggestion is based on the presence of key parameters, their associated confidences and an assessment of the performance of the design process. The assessment approach proposed has the potential to adapt to the experience of the designer. A case study of mechanical component design is presented to illustrate the behaviour of this model for design process improvement.