Design Theory: A Model for Conceptual Design

This paper addresses the problem of “conceptual design” in which the designer begins with some high level of ambiguity in terms of both goals and the means to achieve them. A “dictionary” approach is used in which an object is described by listing its properties, which are in turn described by listing their properties, … This leads to a hierarchical structure of modules which can be described using the methods of partially ordered sets (combinatorial mathematics). The relationship of this approach to knowledge representation is discussed. Examples are included.