The aim of this paper is to contribute to this area of study by adapting the FBS
framework to represent Needs and Requirements. Several papers have been
written about Gero’s FunctioneBehavioureStructure (FBS) framework and
its ambiguities and limitations (e.g., in Design Studies: Galle, 2009; Vermaas
& Dorst, 2007). Nevertheless, the FBS framework still remains a reference
model to describe the design processes and tasks, and for this reason, the present
paper adopts the FBS framework as a starting point. For the sake of clarity,
the aim of the proposed model is to support a more careful and detailed
investigation of the processes that occur in the earliest stages of design. Therefore,
it might be considered globally prescriptive, in terms of a general recommendation to include in any design activity a clear identification of the Needs to be addressed and then a careful definition of the Requirements specification.
These should occur before proceeding with the formulation of the Function, Behaviour and Structure design variables. Additionally, the proposed model has mostly a descriptive nature, as a general framework to describe actual product definition processes and also to map and analyse the outcomes of the new user-oriented design practices.