2. Chapter 2: Literature review
5.2 Experimental Analysis: Case studies
5.2.12 Framing dependency matrix for new product or improvement of the existing product
Figure 5.21: Link index for both openers in terms of UPO
The Fig. 5.21 shows that individual, combined link index of design elements for both the products.
The Table 5.9 and the above graph clearly indicates that link index of Opener A is higher in all aspects, hence making it more value added than Opener B. This implies that higher the link index higher is the value added and that makes it more innovative. Further, the next opener should have higher link index than that of Opener A then only it will be innovative (Predicting the next opener).
Further, we want to improve the existing opener, how we can do it? It can be improved by building up the relations that are missing in the linkographs. Therefore, we are framing a matrix called as a dependency matrix which is discussed in the next section.
5.2.12 Framing dependency matrix for new product or improvement of the existing product
Table 5.10: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, aesthetics
Table 5.11: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, ergonomics
Table 5.12: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, function
Openers case study, dependency matrix for Processes, Operations and Usability Product A
Aesthetics
Visual Style Color Balance Unity Symmetry Harmony proportion Emphasis Rhythm
Visual 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Style 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Color 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Balance 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Unity 0 1 1 1 0 0
Symmetry 0 0 1 0 0
Harmony 0 1 0 0
proportion 0 1 0
Emphasis 0 0
Rhythm 0
Product A Ergonomics
Safety Efficiency Reachabilit y Visibility Force Duration Anthropom etry Repetition Posture Direction Glance
Safety 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Efficiency 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
Reachability 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Visibility 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Force 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Duration 0 0 1 1 1 0
Anthropometry 0 1 1 1 0
Repetition 0 1 1 1
Posture 0 1 0
Direction 0 1
Glance 0
Product A Function
Strength Durability Cost Purpose Fit Features Stability Constructio n Ease of use
Strength 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Durability 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
Cost 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Purpose 0 0 1 0 1 1
Fit 0 0 1 1 1
Features 0 0 1 1
Stability 0 1 0
Construction 0 1
Ease of use 0
Table 5.13: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, Usability
Table 5.14: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, Operations
Table 5.15: Dependency matrix from linkograph for Opener A, Processes Product A
Usability
Functional Efficient Error free use Equipment Environment Economic
Functional 0 1 1 1 1 1
Efficient 0 1 1 1 1
Error free use 0 1 1 1
Enjoyable 0 1 1
Environment 0 1
Economic 0
Product A Operations
Ease of use Handling Installation No of Steps Time Operating Power Extra fits Manuals Maintenance
Ease of use 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
Handling 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0
Installation 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
No of Steps 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Time 0 1 0 1 0 1
Operating 0 1 1 1 1
Power 0 0 0 0
Extra fits 0 0 1
Manuals 0 0
Maintenance 0
Product A Processes
Human Machine Tools Equipment Time Cost Skills Power Space Assembly
Human 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
Machine 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0
Tools 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
Equipment 0 0 1 1 1 1 1
Time 0 1 1 0 0 1
Cost 0 1 1 1 1
Skills 0 0 0 1
Power 0 0 1
Space 0 1
Assembly 0
From the linkographs, we develop a dependency matrix with design elements having relations of
‘1’ and non-related elements as ‘0’ (Which is the gap to establish the new relations). Now from the bigger matrix we identify the potential elements to build dependencies and create a sub matrix of size 3X3. This is then converted into a degenerated matrix to saturated matrix, i.e. all ‘0s’ to
‘1’. This can be done by establishing the dependencies amongst the identified design elements.
In Opener A, strength and purpose are shown in Table 5.12. It has no relation as the strength in the inner body is low and over the period of time it will wear out. Hence, that can be improved by changing the material (wear resistant and stiffer) which will solve the purpose. Accordingly, we are building the dependencies.
Similarly, strength and ease of use (represented by Table 5.12) can be maximized by optimizing the material. Here, the outer body is hard plastic, on which the hand grips are directly pressed. We could replace this with a soft grip that will make it easier to handle. It will also increase the usability and ergonomic parameters.
On the same lines as durability and ease of use, by the selecting the proper material (softer grip), we are making it more durable. This results in better ease of use for a longer period. The cost of the product is higher when the ease of use is considered. This can be optimized by changing the manufacturing process and using alternative materials of the same quality at cheaper cost.
After analyzing (prioritizing + product analysis + linkographs) dependency matrix and identifying the gaps of improvement, a 3X3 degenerated matrix has been converted to saturated matrix as shown in Fig. 5.22. If this is resubstituted in the linkograph, it will increase the number of nodes in the linkograph. This in turn increases the link index and % CMs leading towards product innovation. This happens to be an individual design element level. If we can build the relations in combinations, we can have many more relations in turn leading to higher number of connections leading to higher innovation index. If these matrices are substituted in the linkograph after forming relation in the identified matrix, it would lead to a higher number of links and conclusively increase the link index, which is nothing but the relative innovation index as seen in Table 5.16.
In the similar way, all the matrices can be framed and new relation can be established for aesthetics, ergonomics, usability, operations and processes. So the outcome will be well interconnected in the linkograph and also increase the level of relative innovation in product during the product design stage.
After establishing the relations amongst these elements our new saturated matrix would be Product A
Function
Strength Durability Cost Purpose Ease of use
Strength 1 1 1 1
Durability 1 1 1
Cost 1 1
Purpose 1
Ease of use
Figure 5.22: Developed dependency matrix for further building the relations
5.2.13. The results of the degenerated and saturated matrix after re-substituting in the linkograph