Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Modelling (pre-)Design Activities
With a Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Gaetano Cascini and Francesca Montagna
Abstract The paper proposes an extension of the Gero's Function-Behaviour-
Structure (FBS) framework aimed at representing Need and Requirements and
their relationships with the Function, the Behaviour and the Structure of an artefact.
Needs and Requirements can be modelled as further types of variables to describe
with the same formal approach of the situated FBS model the transformation
processes which occur in the earlier stages of design, when the requirements still
need to be specified. Furthermore the external world where needs are situated is
split into the complementary perspectives of the different stakeholders influencing
the adoption process of a new product, i.e. into buyers, users, beneficiaries and other
outsiders. The extended model aims at supporting a more careful and detailed
investigation of the processes that occur in the earliest stages of design, and
specifically what happens in new product development activities. As carefully
discussed in the introduction of the paper, such a shift in the designer's perspective
appears as a crucial step to build an efficient design methodology for innovation.
Keywords Design for innovation • FBS framework • Multi-stakeholders analysis
• Needs identification
12.1
Introduction
The design of innovative and successful products certainly requires a good deal of
creativity by the people involved individually, or as a team, in the design process
from the concept generation to the product embodiment and even further. In
addition, design creativity by itself cannot be considered a sufficient factor to
ensure the commercial success of a new product or, in a broader sense, its adoption
by a certain community. Roughly speaking, the adoption process occurs when the
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