Delft Design Guide | Part 2 | Creating Product Ideas and Concepts | Function Analysis 2.

2
Function Analysis
Keywords
Function
Structure
Morphological method
g. 2.30 Example of the function structure of a device to make whipped cream (mixer) (from student report)
What Is a Function Analysis?
Function analysis is a method for analysing and
developing a function structure. A function structure
is an abstract model of the new product, without
material features such as shape, dimensions and
materials of the parts. It describes the functions of
the product and its parts and indicates the mutual
relations. The underlying idea is that a function
structure may be built up from a limited number of
elementary (or general) functions on a high level
of abstraction. Functions are abstractions of what
a product should do. Being forced to think about
the product in an abstract way stimulates creativity,
and prevents you from jumping to solutions, i.e.
immediately elaborating on the rst idea that comes
to mind, which may not be the best.
In function analysis, the product is considered as a
technical-physical system. The product functions,
because it consists of a number of parts and
components which full subfunctions and the overall
function. By choosing the appropriate form and
materials, a designer can inuence the subfunctions
and the overall function. The principle of function
analysis is rst to specify what the product should
do, and then to infer from there what the parts -
which are yet to be developed - should do. Function
analysis forces designers to distance themselves from
known products and components in considering the
question: what is the new product intended to do and
manual power
mixer
whipping cream (liquid)
bowl
sugar
arm power
water
force
force
sound
sound
heat
sound
whipped cream
whipped cream
dishwater
clean mixer
pressure for
stability
sound and heat
taking mixer
changing mixers
mode
changing beater
position
tasting
cream
tranfering human
power into movement
of beater(s)
pouring whipping
cream into bowl
adding sugar
reading instructions
testing
cream
density
removing excess
cream of beaters
cleaning
the beaters
drying
beaters
storing mixer
transfering arm power into rotation
static handle
dynamic handle
gearbox
beater movement
transfering to
rotating movement
transfering to
lineair movement
or

Function structure

energy energy
material material
information information

Device to make
whipped cream
(mixer)
Delft Design Guide | Part 2 | Creating Product Ideas and Concepts | Function Analysis 2.2
how could it do that? The method is useful to
accomplish a breakthrough in thinking in conventional
solutions.
A function analysis often precedes the morphological
method (see Morphological Chart in this section).
The functions and subfunctions that are identied in
the function analysis serve as the parameters in the
morphological chart.
When Can You Use a Function
Analysis?
A function analysis is typically carried out at the
beginning of idea generation.
How to Use a Function Analysis?
Starting Points
There are two possible starting points, which may be
used in a combined form:
A process tree, which can be drafted from scratch or
based on an existing solution of the design problem
(or a comparable problem)
A collection of elementary (general) functions,
for instance the functional basis developed by
the American National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST).
Expected Outcome
The outcome of the function analysis is a thorough
understanding of the functions and subfunctions
that the new product has. From functions and
subfunctions the parts and components for the new
product can be developed, for instance by using them
as input for the creation of a morphological chart.
Possible Procedure
1 Describe the main function of the product in the
form of a black box. If you cannot dene one main
function, go to the next step.
2 Make a list of subfunctions.
The use stage of a process
tree is a good starting point.
By adding extra columns to
the process tree in which you
distinguish between product
functions and user tasks,
you can make a rst list of
functions.
3 Just like the processes in
a process tree, functions
are based on verb-noun
combinations. Only those
processes that are carried out
by the product are functions;
processes performed by the
user are user tasks. For user
tasks, you can often dene
functions that support the
user in performing the task.
For instance, for a user task
lift product a supporting
function would be provide
grip for lifting
4 For a complex product, you may want to develop
a function structure. There are three principles of
structuring: putting functions in a chronological order,
connecting inputs and outputs of ows between
functions (matter, energy and information ows)
and hierarchy (main functions, subfunctions, sub-
subfunctions, etc.). These principles cannot always be
applied - see the last item of Tips and Concerns.
place nut
exert holding force
relocate holding
force (to nut)
hold nut
exert cracking force
more points of force exertion

(towards each other)
relocate cracking force (to nut)
change force and motion into

larger force and smaller motion
convert force and motion to fracture
allow placement

of nut
allow force

exertion
guide

motion
life cycle of
a nutcracker
use
function user task process tree
identication of supporting
function for user task
g. 2.31 Process Tree and elaboration of functions of a nutcracker
(from student report)
Delft Design Guide | Part 2 | Creating Product Ideas and Concepts | Functional Analysis 2.2
To visualise the chronological order, you can simply
list the functions. To visualise the ows, you can
connect boxes by arrows. To visualise hierarchy, you
can draw a tree structure (just like the process tree)
so that you can combine hierarchy with chronological
order, or you can draw boxes-in-boxes, so that you
can combine hierarchy and ows in one diagram.
5. Elaborate the function structure. Fit in a number
of `auxiliary functions which were left out and nd
variations of the function structure so as to nd the
best function structure. Variation possibilities include
moving the system boundary, changing the sequence
of subfunctions and splitting or combining functions.
Exploring various possibilities is the essence of
function analysis: it allows for an exploration and
generation of possible solutions to the design
problem.
Tips and Concerns
If you have a function structure, it is recommended
you develop variants of it. A statement of a problem
never leads imperatively to one particular function
structure. The strength of function analysis lies in the
possibility of creating and comparing, at an abstract
level, alternatives for functions and their structuring.
Certain subfunctions appear in almost all design
problems. Knowledge of the elementary or general
functions helps in seeking product-specic functions.
The development of a function structure is an
iterative process. There is nothing against starting by
analysing an existing design or with a rst outline of
an idea for a new solution. However, in the course of
the analysis you should abstract from it.
Function structures should be kept as simple as
possible. The integration of various functions into one
component (function carrier) is often a useful means
in this respect.
Block diagrams of functions should remain
conveniently arranged; use simple and informative
symbols. Be aware of different types of functions.
In industrial design engineering and product design,
it is not always possible to apply structuring
principles. The principles have their background in
mechanical engineering, where functions describe
machines processing raw materials in steps to
produce products. Dont worry: an unstructured list
of (sub)functions is better than no function
descriptions at all.
References and Further Reading
Roozenburg, N.F.M. and Eekels, J. (1995) Product Design:
Fundamentals and Methods, Utrecht: Lemma.
Roozenburg, N. and Eekels, J. (1998, 2nd ed.) Product
Ontwerpen: Structuur en Methoden, Utrecht: Lemma.
Cross, N. (1989) Engineering Design Methods, Chichester:
Wiley.
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