Exercises
1. Decompose the problem of designing a new barbecue grill. Try a functional decomposition as well as a decomposition based on the user interactions with the product.
2. Generate 20 concepts for the subproblem "prevent fraying of end of rope" as part of a system for cutting lengths of nylon rope from a spool.
3. Prepare an external-search plan for the problem of permanently applying serial numbers to plastic products.
Thought Questions
1. What are the prospects for computer support for concept generation activities? Can yo u think of any computer tools that would be especially helpful in this process?
2. What would be the relative advantages and disadvantages of involving actual customers in the concept generation process?
3. For what types of products would the initial focus of the concept generation activity be on the form and user interface of the product and not on the core technology? Describe specific examples.
4. Could you apply the five-step method to an everyday problem like choosing the food for a picnic?
5. Consider the task of generating new concepts for the problem of dealing with leaves on a lawn. How would a plastic-bag manufacturer 's assumptions and problem decomposition differ from those of a manufacturer of lawn tools and equipment and from those of a company responsible for maintaining golf courses around the world? Should the context of the firm dictate the way concept generation is approached?