Variant design as a method of automating the design process

This paper describes the design process within a CIM environment, where automated information processing is expected. Two options for structuring the design process are discussed, namely form and variant design systems. The variant design process is shown to provide advantages which offer a rapid path to integration. While the form design system also potentially provides the same advantages, and for a more general range of products, it is shown that the systems described have yet to be proved. For companies adopting the variant design philosophy, the problems of program generation are discussed, and suggestions are made to improve program quality. An extensive case study fully depicts the implementation of a variant design system