Open AccessQUESTIONNAIRE FOR ASSESSING DESIGN PRACTICES
Author(s) -
Steeve Gendron,
Jean Brousseau,
Abderrazak Elouafi,
Bruno Urli
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
proceedings of the ... ceea conference
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2371-5243
DOI - 10.24908/pceea.v0i0.4652
Subject(s) - dimension (graph theory) , process (computing) , product (mathematics) , knowledge management , questionnaire , process management , exploratory research , computer science , engineering management , engineering , mathematics , geometry , sociology , anthropology , pure mathematics , operating system , statistics
In 2010, an exploratory survey on methods, tools and design techniques (MTT) has led to a better understanding of design practices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Eastern Quebec. The results of this survey have shown that most companies report having a structured design process, while only some resort to MTT. Following this study, a new research was launched to develop performance indicators for the design process, but also, and more generally, for design projects. To do this, a tool was developed to characterize and evaluate the design practices of companies as a way to establish performance indicators following a longitudinal study. A questionnaire was developed as a tool based on a model of design system consisting of six dimensions (human, management, environment, product, process and techno-scientific). In the questionnaire, each dimension is characterized by different descriptors which are analyzed by four aspects that measure: i) if the descriptors are taken into consideration (the occurrence of the descriptors), ii) the importance of the descriptors according to the project success , iii) the company’s performance level related on the descriptors and iv) the involvement of partners. For validation purposes, the tool was tested on a pilot basis by eight companies. This paper introduces the questionnaire and the model that directed its construction and the types of analysis that can be conducted using the data collected.