An integrated framework for representing design history

This paper addresses the problem of representing design history. In particular we describe a design information system that captures three different aspects of design history: exploration of design alternatives, reasons for design decisions and design constraints. These three aspects of design history are basically different and it is appropriate to represent them in different ways. An integrated design information system (IDIS) which supports the representation of these different aspects of design history is presented. Three case studies which have been used to test the system at various stages during its development are presented. One of the components of the system, which uses the issue based representation, was tested using an example from process engineering. The example helped us to identify some of the strengths and weaknesses of that component. This evaluation also enabled us to formulate the principle of preserving temporal integrity. A case study is also presented which tested the ability of the system to retrospectively represent design information that is currently recorded in a design project. This case study also highlighted some of the problems with existing design documentation procedures. In the final case study the system was used off-line to record design information as it was generated. These case studies found that the system could represent the required information and provided a methodology and semi-formal representation that helped the designers. Due to the success of these trials the system is now being used by a team of researchers in an industrial setting to provide the next level of testing.