A guideline for modelling relations of embodiment and function in agile development

Abstract

In current product development, the increased usage of agile approaches from software development is observable. With these approaches, improved responsiveness of developer teams to the dynamics of today's markets is desired. However, the gain of technical knowledge in these approaches has so far received little support, leading to difficulties in implementation in engineering design projects that deal with physical product aspects. This contribution aims to provide a guideline to gain technical knowledge about physical products in agile processes through the usage of qualitative modelling of embodiment function relations. This guideline is developed by integrating and adapting the Contact and Channel approach into the agile approach Agile Systems Design. It aims at aiding the evolutionary and iterative development in rapid cycles through fractal modelling of qualitative technical knowledge. The guideline is applied in two development projects. It shows potential to support developer teams by providing different aspects of the Contact and Channel approach in different phases of agile projects, depending on the tackled task.