Design for Changeability (DfC) is a field of research and practice concerned with how complex systems and products change over time and how they can be deliberately designed for changeability. Changeability is the degree to which a system can undergo modifications in its configuration without incurring large increases in its complexity and cost. Flexible systems are those that exhibit a high degree of changeability. Systems that cannot be easily changed are often referred to as suffering from "lock-in".

Lock-in is known as a phenomenon where better technologies or architectures are known to exist, but sub-optimal systems continue to be operated due to high switching costs. In order to avoid lock-in, systems can be designed with embedded flexibility to lower future switching costs and optimize performance and cost under uncertainty. Principles, methods and tools are being developed for analyzing change propagation, identifying real options and pinpointing where and how to embed flexibility during system design to promote better system evolution over time. One particular form of system evolution is the infusion of new technologies into existing products and systems. Reconfigurability is a specific kind of changeability where systems can change reversibly between a finite number of configurations with relative ease.

Our contributions to DfC include:

• Change Propagation Analysis
• Staged Deployment Strategy for Complex Systems (e.g. Satellite Constellations)
• Flexible Product Platform Development Process
• Theory of Reconfigurability in System Design
• Technology Infusion Analysis
• Time-Expanded Decision Networks (TDN)

Links

Designing Systems for an Uncertain Future, Presentation - November 7, 2006 [PDF]

Publications

• Giffin M., de Weck O., Bounova G., Keller R., Eckert C., Clarkson J., “Change Propagation Analysis in Complex Technical Systems”, Journal of Mechanical Design, MD-07-1230, December 2007, (accepted),
• de Weck, O.L., de Neufville R. and Chaize M., “Staged Deployment of Communications Satellite Constellations in Low Earth Orbit”, Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, 1 (3), 119-136, March 2004.
• Suh E.S., de Weck O.L., and Chang D., “Flexible product platforms: framework and case study”, Research in Engineering Design, 18 (2), 67-89, 2007
• Siddiqi A., de Weck O., Iagnemma K., “Reconfigurability in Planetary Surface Vehicles: Modeling Approaches and Case Study”, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society (JBIS), 59 (12), 450-460, December, 2006
• de Weck, O.L., Scialom, U. and Siddiqi A., “Optimal reconfiguration of satellite constellations with the auction algorithm”, Acta Astronautica, 62 (2-3), 112-130, January/February 2008
• Hauser D., de Weck O.L., “Flexibility in component manufacturing systems: evaluation framework and case study”, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 18 (3), 421-432, June 2007
• Suh, E.S., de Weck O.L., Kim I.Y. and Chang D., “Flexible platform component design under uncertainty”, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Special Issue on Product Family Design and Development, 18 (1), 115-126,  February 2007
• Smaling R., de Weck O., “Assessing Risks and Opportunities of Technology Infusion in System Design”, Systems Engineering, 10 (1), 1-25, Spring 2007
• Silver M., de Weck O. “Time-Expanded Decision Networks:  A Framework for Designing Evolvable Complex Systems”, Systems Engineering, 10 (2), 167-186,  2007
• Haberfellner R., de Weck O.L., “Agile SYSTEMS ENGINEERING versus engineering AGILE SYSTEMS”, INCOSE 2005  - Systems Engineering Symposium, Rochester, NY, July 10-15, 2005
• Siddiqi A., Mellein J., de Weck O.L., “Optimal Reconfigurations for Increasing Capacity of Communication Satellite Constellations”, AIAA-2005-2065, 1st AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference, Austin, Texas, April 18-21, 2005
• Kalligeros K.C. and de Weck O.L., “Flexible Design of Commercial Systems under Market Uncertainty: Framework and Application”, AIAA-2004-4646, 10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Albany, New York, August 30-September 1, 2004.
• de Neufville R., de Weck O., et al., “Uncertainty Management for Engineering Systems Planning and Design”, Monograph, 1st Engineering Systems Symposium, M.I.T., March 29-31, 2004.