veryard projects - innovation for demanding change

component design

design

context

home

design for connectivity

design for flexibility & biodiversity new

design for availability

design for quality / reliability

design to conserve energy

design for pleasure

This discussion is based on an ecological model of component supply. CBD home

Design for Connectivity

design goals

example: nail

Increase information content

Look for ways of making component more active, more intelligent

Expand connections with other components - networks enlarge small advantages

Focus: critical mass

Standard contractor size fits into standard air-powered hammers

SKU designation fits into retail sales network

Bar code fits into laser-read checkout system

Embedded chip warns door of breakage fits into smart house network

Design for Flexibility & Biodiversity

design goals

where is flexibility located?

where is diversity located?

Distribute intelligence

Don’t just support the execution of transactions, support the design of transactions as well

Automate / animate change

Zero latency

The weaker the interface specification, the more things will fit.

in individual component
  • reuse same component in new situation

in component kit

  • substitute component for new situation

in configuration

  • plug same components together in new ways

in architecture

  • plug together new components for new situation
in the component kit
  • alternative components within same kit

in the configuration

  • alternative paths and connections

in the management process

Design for Availability

design goals

examples

Whole product
  • not just software
  • but also support, documentation, training and other services.

Consider giving the key components away free

  • make your money elsewhere.

Focus: market share examples

browser wars

search engines

shareware

  • Linux
  • Apache
  • Design for Quality / Reliability

    design goals

    examples

    Systems should be robust and fault-tolerant.

    Components should tolerate erratic system behaviour.

    military systems

    Internet

    Design to Conserve Energy (economies of scale)

    design goals

    example: semiconductor

    Aggressively exploit and anticipate the learning curve

    Align to the scale economies of your business / market

    Repackage and reuse knowledge assets at all levels

    • working practices
    • design patterns
    • templates
    • software code
    Initial production cost: $100

    Competing (old) product cost $1.05

    We sell ours for same price - at a huge loss.

    Gain 90% market share.

    Within 2 years, selling the same product for 50¢ - at a profit.

    Design for Pleasure

    design goals

    examples

    reduce tension / stress
    • excess choice
    • excess attention

    support self-preservation

    engage users

    balance contradictory forces

    • change / nochange
    • attention / inattention
    • risk / reward
    small changes with revolutionary potential
  • email as substitute for office memos
  • Amazon.com as substitute for traditional bookshop
  • Component viability and compatibility

    Customization = maximum variation

    Standardization = minimum variation

    Enterprise / Purpose

    Information / Semantics

    Computational / Behaviour

    Engineering / Design

    Technology / Infrastructure

    Enterprise / Purpose

    Information / Semantics

    Computational / Behaviour

    Engineering / Design

    Technology / Infrastructure

    contact details

    veryard projects - innovation for demanding change

    Richard Veryard is a technology consultant, based in London.

    email

    Please send comments and questions

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    systems engineering for business process change

    Last updated June 14th, 1999.
    Copyright © 1999 Richard Veryard
    http://www.veryard.com