Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Research in Engineering Design |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 251-270 |
| ISSN | 0934-9839 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2019 |
Keywords
- Process architecture
- Organisational structure
- Iterations
- Stakeholder
- Modularity
Cite this
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Iterations as the result of social and technical factors: empirical evidence from a large-scale design project. / Piccolo, Sebastiano A.; Maier, Anja M.; Lehmann, Sune; McMahon, Chris A.
In: Research in Engineering Design, Vol. 30, No. 2, 04.2019, p. 251-270.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Iterations as the result of social and technical factors: empirical evidence from a large-scale design project
AU - Piccolo, Sebastiano A.
AU - Maier, Anja M.
AU - Lehmann, Sune
AU - McMahon, Chris A.
PY - 2019/4
Y1 - 2019/4
N2 - Understanding the role of iterations is an important topic within design research and design practice. Iterations often involve rework and thus often increased costs and completion time. Many theories and studies ascribe iterations either to the social or technical complexity of the design process. Here, we join the two perspectives by analysing metadata of more than 3000 documents produced during the design of a biomass power plant. We gain insights by using network analysis and by visualising the temporal unfolding of the design process. Subsequently, we develop a statistical model to rigorously test multiple hypotheses showing that iterations are a combination of technical and social factors. The paper shows that iterations increase when the number of stakeholders/participants increases and when external suppliers are involved. Iterations are lower in presence of integrative activities. Furthermore, the paper shows the existence of synergistic interactions between nodes’ in-going and out-going flow in both activity and team networks associated with an increase in iterations.
AB - Understanding the role of iterations is an important topic within design research and design practice. Iterations often involve rework and thus often increased costs and completion time. Many theories and studies ascribe iterations either to the social or technical complexity of the design process. Here, we join the two perspectives by analysing metadata of more than 3000 documents produced during the design of a biomass power plant. We gain insights by using network analysis and by visualising the temporal unfolding of the design process. Subsequently, we develop a statistical model to rigorously test multiple hypotheses showing that iterations are a combination of technical and social factors. The paper shows that iterations increase when the number of stakeholders/participants increases and when external suppliers are involved. Iterations are lower in presence of integrative activities. Furthermore, the paper shows the existence of synergistic interactions between nodes’ in-going and out-going flow in both activity and team networks associated with an increase in iterations.
KW - Process architecture
KW - Organisational structure
KW - Iterations
KW - Stakeholder
KW - Modularity
U2 - 10.1007/s00163-018-0301-z
DO - 10.1007/s00163-018-0301-z
M3 - Journal article
VL - 30
SP - 251
EP - 270
JO - Research in Engineering Design
JF - Research in Engineering Design
SN - 0934-9839
IS - 2
ER -