A Method for the Study of Information Use Profiles for Design Engineers

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports on an investigation into the way in which designers from two aerospace companies organise and use information in their work. There remains relatively poor understanding of what the technical information requirements for engineers are. However, such an understanding is essential for the successful development of computer based design information systems. The concept of Design Information Profiles (DIPs) is proposed as a means of identifying these information requirements for a range of engineers working in different design contexts. These different contexts are characterised by the stage of the design life-cycle and also the social environment in which the engineers work. Profiles have been collected through structured interviews and observations of the participants at work. The results of the information profiles indicate important differences in the extent to which personal, local group and company-wide information is used by designers from different design contexts. An ‘audit’ of the participants’ personal and local group information stores is also reported. These results are likely to have implications for the future development of computer based design information systems.