The application of the influence matrix as method for design planning is often used to guarantee product’s quality and reliability in early design phases. Thus, critical elements, which e.g. strongly influence or become influenced by other elements, can be identified by analyzing interdependency networks. Unfortunately, the application of this proceeding in the context of product spectrum analysis is not possible so far. This results from the extensive character of a product spectrum (in contrast to an invariant product), which does not only possess static interdependencies, but general possibilities of element linking. A product spectrum describes a multitude of possible product specifications on an abstract level. In addition, uncertainty must be handled regarding the occurrence of elements and interdependencies. The presented approach introduces the assessment of a new criterion of sensitivity as an extension of criteria, which are commonly used for analyses by static influence matrices. The new sensitivity criterion permits the identification of important elements in a product spectrum and elaborating useful measures for its further development.     «

The application of the influence matrix as method for design planning is often used to guarantee product’s quality and reliability in early design phases. Thus, critical elements, which e.g. strongly influence or become influenced by other elements, can be identified by analyzing interdependency networks. Unfortunately, the application of this proceeding in the context of product spectrum analysis is not possible so far. This results from the extensive character of a product spectrum (in contras...     »