Enabling Flexibility in Engineering Systems: A Taxonomy of Procedures and a Design Framework

Cardin, Michel-Alexandre

doi:10.1115/1.4025704

Cited by 109 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(119 reference statements)

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“…Designing for flexibility involves defining a strategy and an enabler in design and management (Cardin 2014). A strategy represents aspects of the design concept that captures flexibility, or how the network is designed to adapt to changing circumstances.…”

Section: The Real Options Framework For Enabling Flexibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Approach for Integrating Valuable Flexibility During Conceptual Design of Networks

et al. 2016

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Energy and industrial networks such as pipeline-based carbon capture and storage infrastructures and (bio)gas infrastructures are designed and developed in the presence of major uncertainties. Conventional design methods are based on deterministic forecasts of most likely scenarios and produce networks that are optimal under those scenarios. However, future design requirements and operational environments are uncertain and networks designed based on deterministic forecasts provide sub-optimal performance. This study introduces a method based on the flexible design approach and the concept of real options to deal with uncertainties during conceptual design of networks. The proposed method uses a graph theoretical network model and Monte Carlo simulations to explore candidate designs, and identify and integrate flexibility enablers to pro-actively deal with uncertainties. Applying the method on a hypothetical network, it is found that integrating flexibility enablers (real options) such as redundant capacity and length can help to enhance the long term performance of networks. When compared to deterministic rigid designs, the flexible design enables cost effective expansions as uncertainty unfolds in the future.

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Section: The Real Options Framework For Enabling Flexibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Approach for Integrating Valuable Flexibility During Conceptual Design of Networks

et al. 2016

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“…Embedding flexibility in engineering design usually involves five phases: (1) standard/baseline design, (2) uncertainty recognition, (3) concept generation, (4) design space exploration and (5) process management (Cardin 2014). Various design theories and methodologies have been proposed to support design activities in each phase.…”

Section: Flexible Design Concept Generation For Engineering Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tomiyama et al (2009) provide an overview of such procedures. As explained by Cardin (2014), it is recommended to start the process for flexibility from an existing design and further improve the baseline by consideration of uncertainty and flexibility in subsequent phases. This is because starting a design from scratch for flexibility may render the design space very large, with many possibly moving parts, and the task may become easily intractable.…”

Section: 1mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, it may not be clear to designers and researchers which is the better flexible strategy, when is the right time to exercise flexibility, and where to focus design efforts in embedding flexibility in the system. A good flexible systems design concept should comprise a flexible design strategy and a set of design enablers (Cardin 2014). The flexible design strategies, such as deferring capital investment and expanding capacity, are akin to real options and offer different ways to change and adapt the system in the face of uncertainty (Trigeorgis 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Generating flexibility in the design of engineering systems to enable better sustainability and lifecycle performance

Cardin

2015

Res Eng Design

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Designing an engineering system that is both environmentally and economically sustainable is a challenging task. Designers need to cope with socio-technical uncertainties and design systems to provide high performance during long lifecycles. Flexibility in engineering design provides ways to address such challenges by making engineering systems changeable in the face of uncertainty. It is difficult, however, to identify suitable system elements for designing flexibility, especially when subjected to multiple sources of uncertainty and complex interdependency between socio-technical and systems elements. This paper considers embedding flexibility into the engineering design as a mechanism to ensure better sustainability and to improve economic performance in long-term lifecycles. The main contribution is a novel methodology to identify valuable opportunities to embed flexibility as a way to deal proactively with uncertainty in market and environment. The proposed methodology integrates Bayesian network into engineering system design to effectively model complex change propagation in the flexibility identification process. It helps structure concept generation activities by identifying candidate areas to embed flexibility in the system. It compares favorably to other concept generation methods (e.g., prompting, brainstorming) that require modeling and evaluation of a large number of concepts generated in order to identify the ones offering better performance. It differs from other flexibility enabler identification methods by considering indirect as well as direct dependencies, in addition to the probabilistic nature and risk resulting from possible changes. Another contribution is the demonstration application of the proposed methodology through the analysis of a waste-to-energy technology in Singapore based on anaerobic digestion. Results show that the expected net present value of the flexible design concepts provides more than 10 % improvement over a fixed benchmark design in terms of economic lifecycle performance. This design is conducive of better economic sustainability via additional power generation and better use of resources. Results also indicate that the flexible design can reduce downside risks and capitalize on upside opportunities significantly.Keywords Sustainability Á Uncertainty management Á Flexibility in engineering design Á Waste-to-energy system Á Real options analysis Á Change propagation Abbreviations AD Anaerobic digestion ADOS Anaerobic digestion of organic slurry BN Bayesian network CPA Change propagation analysis CPI Change propagation index CPM Change prediction method DCF Discounted cash flow DSM Design structure matrix ENPV Expected net present value ESM

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“…Cardin [] provides a taxonomy of procedures as well as a design framework for enabling flexibility in engineering systems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing Architecture Options Theory: Six Industrial Case Studies

Engel

Reich

2015

Syst. Engin.

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Systems provide value through their ability to fulfill stakeholders’ needs. These needs evolve and often diverge from an original system's capabilities. Thus, a system's value to its stakeholders diminishes over time. Consequently, systems have to be periodically upgraded or replaced. Since replacement costs are often prohibitive, system adaptability is valuable. Adaptability entails the ability to modify an existing system or design of a system's architecture, such as changing, adding, removing, or replacing relevant elements as well as adjusting their reciprocal interactions. In 2008, Engel and Browning proposed a Design for Adaptability concept based on Architecture Option (AO) theory. AO fuses Financial Options and Transaction Cost theories, seeking to design systems for optimal lifetime value. They asserted that designers should balance the benefits of adaptability against its affordability. More modularity is not always better; the amount of modularity alone is an insufficient and even misleading cause of value. This follow‐up paper reports on a project, aimed at enhancing the AO theory and validating its applicability within diverse industrial environments. Through interactions with practicing system developers, the AO model was simplified and a modified Black–Scholes model was adapted into the engineering domain and successfully practiced. Six case studies were conducted within: food packaging, machine tools, automotive, aerospace, communication, and optoelectronics industries. All six industrial participants estimated, among other improvements, over 15% benefits in (1) reducing systems’ lifetime cost, (2) reducing systems’ upgrade cycle‐time, and (3) increased systems’ lifespan. These results demonstrate the industrial applicability and validity of the AO theory.

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Enabling Flexibility in Engineering Systems: A Taxonomy of Procedures and a Design Framework

Cited by 109 publications

References 73 publications

An Approach for Integrating Valuable Flexibility During Conceptual Design of Networks

An Approach for Integrating Valuable Flexibility During Conceptual Design of Networks

Generating flexibility in the design of engineering systems to enable better sustainability and lifecycle performance

Advancing Architecture Options Theory: Six Industrial Case Studies

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