Method SUITED

Resting on tools graph such as the stupid with horns or the diagram octopus , the method SUITED is a universal method for control of a Projet. On the basis of the expression of a felt need and without considering the solutions a priori, it makes it possible to evaluate the whole of the constraints (technical, economic, cultural…) who affect the project. It is the organized Brainstorming.

Associated with the Analysis of the value, it constitutes the first phase of design leading to the edition of the functional Schedule of conditions .

Too much a long time one privileged the how with the for what rejecting the Innovation with the profit of stability. But competition is hard, and the perenniality of a company is not conceived any more but in quality and the innovation.

SUITED is registered trade name. ( AP plication with the T echnic of E ntreprise)

Methodological genius

In the years 1950, the research department of Citroen carried out the design of DS by partitioning each one on its function (the body, the engine, the suspension, transmission…). Very few people were with the current of the whole; the result is that which one knows: a car résoluement innovating, since each one could be expressed freely. During this time the 403 been confined at the same time with Sochaux proposed only one ennième version of a quite well-worn concept. This said, the DS left with many defects, because the design had not been really total and that for lack of dialog the incompatibilities were inevitable; moreover, in the secrecy, one had omitted to prepare the mechanics with the rather special interventions concerning the Hydraulique.

The method SUITED proposes a transverse step in the control of a project. The functional approach does not relate to only the product and the services which it returns to its user, but also means implemented to reach that point. The ultimate objective being the competitiveness for which " increase in the quality " and " reduction of the coût" are not antagonistic if not indissociable.

The products of today are perfectible. Vis-a-vis the noted imperfections it adopts two attitudes there:

On paunch: to correct the defects. It is the easy step which leads only to one slightly different product, and sometimes the bandages are gotten mixed up. Thus Windows.1 leads to Windows 98 2nd edition.
One (Re) pense: any solution (it how) is from the forgotten start, and one even worries only about the function it (for what). The defect which rises from the solution does not exist, and will not thus have any interaction on the other functions. Obviously the things are not so simple and the choice of the solutions will be him as dependant on the possible interactions, with the difference as here all seems to be considered, and rather than to better seek the without method, it is with full knowledge of the facts that one draws aside the worse .

Need

Expression

Very produced satisfactory must constitute a relevant answer to a precisely expressed need.

Let us imagine that you have the brilliant idea, and means, to produce 30 million half green balls. Once on the market, and in condition of having found the distribution network, you realize that nobody bought some. Reason? Nobody for of felt the need. For what to make? For what that is used? Of course to make fortune today, it is necessary to be innovating and create the need. If the need is new, there is no competition. Microsoft is one of the examples most outstanding of these last years.

Now let us take the problem by the other end. That is to say the need is clearly expressed: “A good Horse”. This same need will not find the same solution according to whether it is of a carter, a jockey, a racegoer or a gastronome (is still necessary it to like the meat of horse). To move downtown, a 4L or a Ferrari makes both the business. Question of standing. Does a sign “Attention with the Chien” warn to you of the possible attack of molosse or protects it the Pekinese one from an unfortunate kick?

It is the function which makes the object and not the reverse. Each one among us already diverted an object of its function first. Take a rule to scrape you the back. Is it then important to know if it is graduated in millimetres or inches? If one asks you with what serves a grid Pain, you answer: “to roast Bread, of course! ” Actually “to roast bread” is not an end in itself; the use of the apparatus with for goal to increase possibly faded gustatory quality bread.

Let us call “ Produit ” the object of our study. Before undertaking any research solution, three questions are binding on you:

With which it Produced does it render service?
On what the Produit does it act?
With a which aim the Produit does there exist?

The method SUITED proposes a graphic tool called stupid with horns synthesizing this step.

Validation

Is it necessary to engage as soon as of research the Produit indicated perfectly? Not so sure. An good idea must also be perennial. Which would be the interest to today put on the market of the diskettes 5' 1/4 with a storage capacity of 5Mo? All the regular users of computers are equipped with key USB of capacity and compactness much more satisfactory, and the engravers are from now on highly reliable. Moreover computer manufacturers already gave up this type of readers.

The validation of the need passes by the catch in consideration of the following questions:

Pourquoi the need exist does?
Which is what could make evolve/move the need?
Which is what could make disappear the need?

In the case of the diskette:

the digitalization of information in become impossible to circumvent for transport and filing.
increasing size of the files.
the abandonment of this format by the manufacturers and the competition (technological) of supports of employment less constraining, more compact and more powerful, which is the case of key USB.

Then it is possible to validate the expressed need and to begin a research solution.

Functional schedule of conditions

The life cycle of a product is a long way from the research department until the discharge. Of this fact it must satisfy a considerable number of requirements. Some great stages are distinguished:

the design
manufacture
the distribution
the use
maintenance
the reject. (recycling or revalorization)

The definition of the product is then affected of a whole of constraints related to its environment. The whole of these requirements constitutes the functional schedule of conditions (CdCF) too often limited to the performances relating to the use.

The diagram octopus (or graph of the interactions)

Its role

The diagram octopus makes it possible to count the functions of service of a product. This diagram is consisted of the product, in the center, and, around, of the elements of its environment (external medium). One reveals the relations (functions) between the product and the external medium. These relations correspond to the service rendered by the product and make it possible to work out a schedule of conditions.

Two types of functions are concerned:

principal functions : it is the functions for which the product is worked out, therefore does of them those which could fulfill the requirements of the user. One draws them by bonds between two elements of the environment, bonds passing by the system;
forced functions : they are a bond between the product and an element of the environment. They are born from a constraint imposed by an external element, existence of an already existing product or of a particular requirement of the user even of the presence of standards and legislations.

Method of construction

Initially, one starts by well defining the system, then one indexes all the elements external with this system, which are in connection with him. At each time one can connect elements thanks to the system, one speaks about " service rendered to has by B". In the second time, one sets up the principal functions and the constraints.

A function is in fact an action, expressed in terms of finality. Thus this function must be written in the form of one verb to infinitive, follow-up of one or more complements.

An example…: the car

FP1 : To allow the users to move on the ground
FC1 : To remain insensitive with the disturbances of the road
FC2 : To contribute to the respect of the environment
FC3 : To be esthetic
FC4 : To resist the external medium
FC5 : To be fed in energy
FC6 : To respect the regulations
FC7 : To be comfortable

foot-note: a FP connects two mediums external of use, here users and ground

The diagram octopus: essential tools

The diagram octopus is a method deposited, resulting from the method SUITED. It is used with the expression as functions, and thus allows the chart of part of the Schedule of conditions. It also makes it possible to identify well the environment of evolution of the system, to determine with precision and concision the relations between this system and the elements of the medium surrounding and the relations between couples of external elements.

The diagram octopus does not replace a schedule of conditions, it only makes it possible to represent of them certain points with a great speed of comprehension.

Value analyzes

This once drawn up list deserves all the attentions. Indeed all the functions of service do not have the same importance, nor the same cost. The Analysis of the value between then concerned; it is a question of adjusting the real costs of each function in connection with its row in the list of the functions of services.

Classification of the functions of service

principal function and function of constraint
function of use and function of technical regard
function

References

Standard NF X 50-150
Method SUITED
French Association of the Analysis of the Value (AFAV)

External bonds

Method SUITED

Access to the software CCT, supports of the Method SUITED

Random links: