DEFINING SYSTEM BOUNDARIES IN CHANGE PROPAGATION ANALYSIS: A DIESEL ENGINE CASE STUDY
DS 96: The 20th International DSM Conference
Year: 2018
Editor: Leardi, Carlo; Browning, Tyson R.; Eppinger, Steven D.; Becerril, Lucia
Author: Koh, Edwin C.Y. (1); Caldwell, Nicholas H.M. (2); Clarkson, P. John (3)
Series: DSM
Institution: 1: Engineering Design and Innovation Centre, National University of Singapore; 2: School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of Suffolk; 3: Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge
Section: Product and System Architecture
Page(s): 081-091
ISBN: 978-3-00-057492-4
Abstract
This paper explores how change propagation analysis can be affected by the way system boundaries are defined. This is an important issue as engineering change can in reality propagate out of the system modelled and back through components that were not considered. The work builds on a diesel engine case study to examine the difference in analysis results generated based on a full system model (i.e. entire engine) and those generated based on a set of partial system models (e.g. sub-assemblies). It was found that partial system models with boundaries defined by physical sub-assemblies can produce analysis results that are highly correlated with the one produced using a full system model. It was also revealed that modelling more components (i.e. a more complete system model) does not necessarily increase the level of correlation. The findings can be used to support system boundary decisions in change propagation analysis.
Keywords: Change Propagation, Changeability, System Boundaries