Product Architecture and Platform

Instructor

Adriano Galvao

In this introductory course on product architecture, we focus on the central concepts and key concerns of product architecture. The 7-week course is organized around three major questions:

"What is product architecture?" This section deals with product architecture definitions and distinctions, benefits, key concerns, including an introduction to architectural typology.

“How to create product architectures?” We provide an overview of available tools and methods in product architecture, and an user-centric architecting process called Function-Task-Interaction Method.

“Who is responsible for the product architecture?” We focus on the role and responsibilities of the designer and position the designer’s role within the organization. We explore possible product architecture applications to different types of products from different viewpoints.

We also address product architecture motivation (why), context (where) and timing (when). Case studies will be exercised to investigate and discuss ways of implementing the concept on real products. A software prototype will be provided to reinforce major concepts and help improve the software. The final project will attempt to develop different product architectures and platforms based on different concerns and viewpoints. Topics cover product architecture, product platform, product architecture typology, the architecting process, tools & methods, product performance, product affordances, user requirements and user-product interaction.

Basic definitions:
- Product architecture is the structure that integrates components and subsystems of a product into a coherent mechanism to perform intended behavior and functions. It also reflects rationale and intentions of the design such as functions, methods of use, methods of maintenance, and production. As the complexity of products increases, the concept of product architecture becomes a critical factor that requires conscious efforts for achieving consistent and effective structure and attributes in order to meet a wide range of requirements.

- Product platform is a subsystem of a product shared by a family of products for effective product strategies in various respects. In order to accommodate a wide range of user requirements as well as fast changing technologies, strategic approaches and methodologies for defining product platforms need to be incorporated in the design process.

Format & Grading

• Homework assignments: 33%
• Attendance and class participation: 33%
• Final project report: 33%