How Analysis and Synthesis Have Been Understood in Design

Ricardo Codinhoto¹, Lauri Koskela², Patricia Tzortzopoulos³ & Mike Kagioglou⁴

Abstract

In the disciplines related to the design of products and services, such as New Product Development and Design Science, there is a lack of a commonly accepted theoretical and methodical basis. This papers starts with the proposition that the ancient method of analysis and synthesis, developed originally by Greek geometers, is the basis of models that have been used to classify and describe the ill structured design problem. In this paper, we examine the possibility of improving our understanding of the design process and therefore lean design management by bringing to light a discussion about the concepts of analysis and synthesis and how these have been interpreted through time. Also, how this concept has been used within engineering design methods. To do so, we investigate how analysis and synthesis have been understood in the literature, indicating similarities and differences between ancient and current understandings.

Keywords

Analysis and synthesis, design process, engineering design

Files

Full Text

 

Reference

Codinhoto, R. , Koskela, L. , Tzortzopoulos, P. & Kagioglou, M. 2006. How Analysis and Synthesis Have Been Understood in Design, 14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 121-134. doi.org/

Download: BibTeX | RIS Format