Power Tools

Abstract

Power tools comprehend three methodologies that are very powerful and described in quite some detail for practical application. Firstly, Quality Function Deployment (QFD): We see it as the pre-decessor or mother to important frameworks such as Design to Value and Modularization, especially due to its focus on cross-functional collaboration and combining perspectives from the market and technical realm. Secondly, Design Space Exploration (DSE): Whenever you need to diverge the solution space, be it for idea and concept generation, problem solving or solution finding, this tool is very useful. Thirdly, Design Structure Matrix (DSM): Its not a simple one, but a key methodology for visualizing and optimizing dependencies between components of a complex system such as within products, teams, organization or processes.