Engineering research technology for concurrent engineering from unified life cycle engineering

The author summarizes research results of a research effort in decision support system (DSS) technology for ULCE (Unified Life Cycle Engineering). Among the topics addressed were ULCE architectural issues, design measurement and methods research, ULCE-related design technique survey papers, and investigations into group support system technology. The technical papers produced influenced concurrent engineering efforts. The end result of this summary effort is to encapsulate the four-year research effort into a set of generalized findings and recommendations. Since the ULCE research program was a precursor to the current initiative in concurrent engineering (CE), or integrated product development (IPD), this set of findings and recommendations are discussed particularly with respect to an effort called the Requirements Analysis Process In Design (RAPID) program