Connectivity maps: modeling and analysing relationships in product development processes

This paper describes a new systems analysis technique called the 'connectivity map' for representing dependency relationships within a product development process. The technique is suitable for capturing and analysing relations between development tasks, design parameters, architecture concepts, information flows, and organizational relationships. The connectivity map is matrix based, using the inner cells of the matrix to capture the nature of the connection between the two axial parameters. The utility of the method is demonstrated using two real examples from the automobile industry. The first application looks at the sources of iteration for a safety belt development process, and the second application deals with flexibility analysis of a product's architecture.