Combining Naturalistic and Mathematical Decision Aids to Support Product Design

Motivation - To increase the benefits that product designers derive from use of computer decision aids in their daily design work. Research approach - The process followed by product designers was observed through a combination of ethnographic and protocol studies to identify needs and constraints in a typical work context. Findings - The results suggest that design decisions are tightly intertwined with information seeking activities, and require great exploration flexibility. Research Implications - the benefits and appeal of decision aids might be greatly increased for product designers by additionally supporting information seeking activities that inform decisions. Originality/Value - This approach represents a paradigm shift towards a broader view of decision making as flexible set of activities that includes assessment of information adequacy and information seeking. Take away message - Practical decision aids for design need to augment rather than replace human judgment, and support a range of intertwined activities while limiting the data entry burden.