A Gaussian decision-support tool for engineering design process

Decision-making in design is of great importance, resulting in success or failure of a system (Liu et al., 2010; Roozenburg and Eekels, 1995; Spitas, 2011a). This paper describes a robust decision-support tool for engineering design process, which can be used throughout the design process in either the concept or knowledge space described in Hatchuel and Weil (2009). The tool is graphical and designed to communicate efficiently with different fields of expertise. It takes into account the Gaussian form of expert lack of certainty and generates the concept or model uncertainty which is necessary for a robust design. Recently, this tool was successfully used by an interdisciplinary design team consisting of different experience level and diverse design knowledge as described in this paper.