Analysing creative behaviour in the later stage design process

Creativity is widely seen as an important subject in the study of the engineering design process. This paper presents a framework and coding scheme for the analysis of creative designer behaviour within the later stage engineering design process, validated through a longitudinal study. By classifying the tasks that designers complete throughout the design process, analysis has demonstrated two different approaches to creative behaviour in later stage design; dependent on the way in which designers identify, develop and use knowledge and design variables. Through such analysis, the understanding required to develop specific and particularly appropriate methods of designer support can be gained, dependent on the stage of the design process and particular approach of the designer.     

Validation of the driver behaviour questionnaire using behavioural data from an instrumented vehicle and high-fidelity driving simulator

Data from two previously published studies were used to examine the correlations between scores on the violation, error and lapse sub-scales of the driver behaviour questionnaire, and observed driving speed. One dataset utilised data from an instrumented vehicle, which recorded driver speed on bends on a rural road. The other utilised data from a driving simulator study. Generally in both datasets the DBQ violation subscale was associated with objectively-measured speed, while the error and lapse sub-scales were not. These findings are consistent with the idea that the DBQ is a valid measure of observed behaviour in real driving (its original intended use) and also in simulated driving. The fact that associations were the same in real and simulated driving lends further support to the relative validity of driving simulation. The need for larger and more focused studies examining the role of different motivations in different driving situations is discussed.     

Flexible generic frameworks and multidisciplinary synthesis of built form

This paper presents an explanatory study of teamwork in architectural design where team members of different disciplines collaborate to achieve a coherent architectural whole. The study shows that some kind of flexible generic frameworks can be employed to sustain group dynamism through a project's lifetime. Along with our case studies, properties of teamwork-sustaining frameworks are analysed. An overview of the recent development of computer-based collaborative drawing and design support tools is given. To support more effectively the complexity and spontaneity observed in our current study of multidisciplinary collaborative architectural design, an outline of a pilot collaborative modelling environment is presented.     

Changing our view on design evaluation meetings methodology: a study of software technical review meetings

By contrast to design meetings, design evaluation meetings (DEMs) have generally been considered as situations in which, according to DEM methodologies, design activities are quite marginal. In a study of DEMs in software development, i.e. in technical review meetings following a particular review methodology, we showed: (i) the occurrence of design activities as part of an argumentation process; (ii) the relative importance of cognitive synchronisation as a prerequisite for evaluation; (iii) the important role played in evaluation by argumentation that makes explicit the underlying design rationale (DR). On the basis of our results, we discuss the potential for using DR methodologies in this kind of meetings.     

The habitability framework: a conceptual approach towards linking human behaviour and physical environment

This paper presents the background, rationale and elements of the habitability framework which links human behaviour to aspects of the physical environment. The conceptual framework is accompanied by examples of applications, including behaviour-based facility programming and post-occupancy evaluation.     

复杂系统的多学科设计优化综述

从设计和分析的本质出发,结合复杂系统的特点,通过分析传统设计优化流程在面对复杂系统时存在的困难和缺陷,指出多学科设计优化(multidisciplinary design optimization,MDO)方法是解决复杂系统设计优化问题的一种有效措施.在此基础上,介绍了多学科优化方法的基本思想,总结了子系统耦合方式及MDO在处理耦合时的基本方法,归纳了MDO的知识框架和主要研究内容.最后在现有研究成果的基础上,对MDO今后的研究提出了几点参考意见.