COMPARING COLLABORATIVE CAD MODELLING PATTERNS OF HIGH-PERFORMING AND LOW-PERFORMING TEAMS

Abstract

The development of cloud-based Computer-aided design (CAD) enabled real-time CAD collaboration between multiple designers. While this technology has great potential to change the way CAD work is done, it is still little explored. This paper presents a case with two high-performing and two low-performing three-member teams monitored with non-invasive methods (log data) during a six-week design project. The results show that high-performing teams focused more on the editing of assembly, while low-performing teams focused on creating and editing a part. Furthermore, high-performing teams tended to perform consecutive deleting actions and to transition to creating and editing classes of CAD actions after performing viewing actions. Two modelling approaches which lead to high-quality CAD models were identified. One approach is characterized by frequent use of transitions between editing and Organizing-Design (collaborative actions) classes, while the other between creating, editing and reversing classes. Presented results allow design teams to gain insight into sequential patterns which led to the generation of a high-quality CAD model and to better understand the CAD modelling process.