VisionManager: A computer environment for design evolution capture

Computer-based design evolution capture in a multi-disciplinary project environment remains a difficult problem. This paper describes VisionManager, a prototype for design evolution capture, visualization, and reuse in support of multi-disciplinary collaborative teamwork. Based on our research experience, our hypothesis is that one of the key factors in reducing life-cycle cost is improved communication, coordination and cooperation among team members. VisionManager accommodates and integrates many perspectives within a design and manufacturing enterprise. It allows team members to: (1) augment shared graphic design models with the team members' design intents, interests, and responsibilities, (2) capture versions at different levels of granularity, such as, feature, discipline perspective, and project level, (3) create private, public, and consensus versions in a hierarchical archive, (4) infer shared interests and route change notifications with regard to a modified feature or perspective, (5) visualize the design evolution of features, discipline perspectives, and the overall project based on captured semantics, and (6) reuse previous alternatives. VisionManager is distinguished from the state-of-the-art File-based document management systems and proposes a model-based and content-based approach for design evolution capture, visualization, and reuse.