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Abstract Understanding design processes and behaviors is important for building more effective design outcomes. During design tasks, teams exhibit sequences of actions that form strategies. This article investigates patterns of design actions in a paired parameter design experiment to discover design strategies that influence outcomes. The analysis uses secondary data from a design experiment in which each pair completes a series of simplified cooperative parameter design tasks to minimize completion time. Analysis of 192 task observations uses exploratory factor analysis to identify design strategies and regression analysis to evaluate their impacts on performance outcomes. The article finds that large actions and high action size variability significantly increase completion times, leading to poor performance outcomes. However, results show that frequently changing input controllers within and among designers significantly reduces completion times, leading to higher performance outcomes. Discussion states that larger actions can introduce unexpected errors, while smaller and consistent actions enhance designers’ understanding of the effects of each action, aiding in better planning for subsequent steps. Frequent controller switching reflects effective communication and understanding within design teams, which is crucial for cooperative tasks.
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Identification of designer search strategies and their effects on performance outcomes in pair parameter design tasks
Understanding design processes and behaviors are important for building more effective design outcomes. During design tasks, teams exhibit sequences of actions that form strategies. This paper investigates patterns of design actions to identify successful design strategies in paired parameter design tasks. The paper uses secondary data from a design experiment in which each pair completes a series of simplified cooperative parameter design tasks to minimize completion time. Analysis of 192 task observations uses principal component analysis to identify design strategies and regression analysis to evaluate their impacts on performance outcomes. Results show that the design strategy of short average action time, small average action size, and low action variation significantly decreases completion time. Discussion of results suggests smaller and more frequent actions provide more rapid feedback about each action to improve communication and understanding between pairs, leading to more efficient design processes. Results show that task order and the number of variables also significantly contribute to performance outcomes, which aligns with past literature. Results also show a negative relationship between lower English ability, experience level, and team performance outcomes. The discussion suggests that lower English ability can be a barrier to communication between pairs, and a lower experience level can decrease the ability to create effective strategies.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1943433
- PAR ID:
- 10433545
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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