A matrix-calculation-based algorithm for numerical change propagation analysis.

Caldwell, Nicholas, Hamraz, B and Clarkson, P.J (2012) A matrix-calculation-based algorithm for numerical change propagation analysis. Engineering Management, IEEE Transactions on, 60 (1). pp. 186-198. ISSN 0018-9391

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Abstract

Engineering changes (ECs) are raised throughout the lifecycle of engineering products. A single change to one component produces knock-on effects on others necessitating additional changes. This change propagation significantly affects the development time and cost and determines the product's success. Predicting and managing such ECs is, thus, essential to companies. Some prediction tools model change propagation by algorithms, whereof a subgroup is numerical. Current numerical change propagation algorithms either do not account for the exclusion of cyclic propagation paths or are based on exhaustive searching methods. This paper presents a new matrix-calculation-based algorithm which can be applied directly to a numerical product model to analyze change propagation and support change prediction. The algorithm applies matrix multiplications on mutations of a given design structure matrix accounting for the exclusion of self-dependences and cyclic propagation paths and delivers the same results as the exhaustive search-based Trail Counting algorithm. Despite its factorial time complexity, the algorithm proves advantageous because of its straightforward matrix-based calculations which avoid exhaustive searching. Thereby, the algorithm can be implemented in established numerical programs such as Microsoft Excel which promise a wider application of the tools within and across companies along with better familiarity, usability, practicality, security, and robustness.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Change propagation analysis, Design structure matrix (DSM), Engineering change (EC) management, Numerical models
Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
T Technology > T Technology (General)
T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Health & Science > Department of Science & Technology
Depositing User: Kristina Hearnden
Date Deposited: 04 Dec 2015 10:25
Last Modified: 13 May 2020 13:47
URI: https://oars.uos.ac.uk/id/eprint/128

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