8 – Managing Design

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an introduction to the management of the design process. It explains why the logical, sequential design process is ill-advised and how it can be improved. The chapter also explores the use of skills, information technology and trends in detail. Concurrent engineering is the term given to the process of undertaking all of the design process activities at the same time rather than sequentially. Concurrent engineering relies on good communication and information. Components, consumer goods, industrial goods and saleable items might all be considered as the outputs of the design process. Design could also be defined by inputs; the results of management discourses and strategies, group dynamics, design politics, social organization, organizational context, the societal role of artifacts, actor networks, ambiguity and uncertainty. Business and design decisions must be made with inadequate levels of information. Usually there is less information than desired but often there may be too much, particularly as the design process becomes ever more data intensive. A number of ideas have been developed that aim to improve the management, planning and co-ordination of the design process. Some of these are formal such as the British Standards guides and some are informal.