Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Visual Re-Representation of Design Engineering Knowledge

Abstract

The exponential growth of data and information artefacts in engineering organisations are one of the biggest limitations for engineers reusing design knowledge. Approaches to support efficient information access are critical for design. In this paper, we demonstrate an exemplar “Super Document” principle using knowledge “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” process. Evidence suggests such recycled representations can reduce the time engineers spend on gathering information from documents by up to 70%. We outline the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” approach using empirical studies with in-service aerospace design engineers. We suggest visual representations better record and communicate information for design engineers, resulting in a time saving of 70% per design in document information seeking. The infographic “Super Document” created uses visual re-representation of large knowledge artefacts – reducing a 100-page design document to a single page. An insight into the next steps for this research concludes this paper.