Coordination in Complex Product Development

Complex product development is studied and its important characteristics are incorporated into an original model. The process is treated as a dynamic system in which information is created in each task as work is accomplished, and the amount of communicated information between tasks depends upon the magnitude of the interdependency between tasks. Information flow is modelled explicitly, and the model captures the dynamic complexity of projects with interdependent tasks. This is accomplished through the linkage of information exchange to the work accomplished in each task, the availability of resources, and the techniques used to manage the product development process. The uncertainty of information is explicitly modelled and this influences the development and magnitude of rework according to the way the process dynamically unfolds.;In this way, the influence of impediments to information flow on overall span time and effort are captured. The model is applied to the investigation of coordination and its effects on process behaviour under various conditions. Coordination mechanisms are applied in the model through the choice of input parameters that influence the degree of overlapping of tasks, the management of resources that process information, the delay of communication of information, and the interval of communication between tasks. Findings uncover the mechanisms driving the pace of progress in engineering design processes and highlight strategies that reduce span time in complex product development.;Simulations with the model illustrate the limits and benefits of overlapping and of set-based coordination with sequentially dependent tasks and different profiles of epistemic uncertainty reduction. Delays to information flow are shown to combine non-linearly to reach tipping points that greatly impact span time and effort. Different schemes for the management of critical resources that make use of data from the process itself are shown to be effective in reducing rework. Simulation of coordination schemes analogous to agile product development methods demonstrate that important reduction in span times can be obtained for groups of tasks with high interdependence.