Product Models in Embodiment Design – an Investigation of Challenges and Possibilities

In product development, many different models of the product and the development process exist. These models are used for different tasks according to the phases of product development. A phase, in which product models play an essential role, is the embodiment design phase. The product is defined under consideration of requirements and boundaries of the development task. Finding a suitable model for a task can be challenging, as by now many different models are available. The aim of this contribution is to develop a support for selection of a suitable model for a task in embodiment design. Criteria from other model structuring approaches described in literature are used. The considered product models are identified in a systematic literature review with the focus on currently used product models in embodiment design practice and research. The developed support consists of a framework for structuring the models according to purpose and engineering phase and a table for structuring according to model properties. A guideline on how to identify suitable models by using the framework and the table for tasks in embodiment design is given.