Integrating user-centered practices in configuration systems development: Framework and conceptual modelling

Irene Campo Gay, Lars Hvam

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

Developing configuration systems to support complex and highly engineered products can be a tedious task. Given the complicated nature of the process, both researchers and companies tend to overlook user interaction until later stages of the configuration process. This paper adopts a user-centered design process to develop configuration systems, emphasizing the difference between the customer and the configurator user. Moreover, we discuss the importance of making a clear distinction between the product, service, or process configured and the configuration system to be developed. In line with this, we propose a framework to empathize with the user in configuration system projects. Besides, we suggest a new user-experience tool to reflect user-centered outcomes in the conceptual modeling phase of configuration systems. We integrate the method into a consolidated conceptual model, the so-called product variant master. Finally, we test the procedure in a building construction configurator project which must deal with very versatile products. As a result, the configurator’s profitability is enhanced by easing and promoting its use, optimizing the time spent on the configuration, and increasing efficiency by minimizing potential wrong choices.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 23rd International Configuration Workshop
Publication date2021
Pages58-64
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event23rd International Configuration Workshop - Vienna, Austria
Duration: 16 Sept 202117 Sept 2021
Conference number: 23

Conference

Conference23rd International Configuration Workshop
Number23
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period16/09/202117/09/2021

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