DESIGN INFORMATION TRACEABILITY VISUALIZATION THROUGH NETWORK OF DIAGRAMS
MARTINEC, T and PAVKOVIĆ, N
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Croatia
1. Diagrams as means of information recording
The poster reports on usage of computer-based diagramming tools towards establishing and visualizing traceability of engineering information in product development processes. Presented research has been conducted in collaboration with one of the development departments of large company that produces all kinds of equipment for power plants. Diagrams covering communication visualization, product structure and specification, and design rationale were introduced throughout the research and diagramming tool implementation on the ongoing project. Diagram nodes are information containers, including digital entities storage information, displayed as hyperlinks to computer stored files (CAD, spreadsheets, text documents, or other diagrams). By adding links between diagram files, a diagram network was created. Such network allows users to browse information spreaded in multiple design episodes and stored by different design team members. The purpose of building the diagram network is the ability to track every important piece of data or information back to its source. All networked diagrams serve as pathways for users to access requested information.
The capture of design information through linear text documents is a challenge because of the complex and fast-flowing nature of design activities (Aurisicchio and Bracewell 2013). Replacing text documents with diagrams proved that they are more convenient means of information recording such as meeting notes and design rationale. In presented research design rationale has been captured using IBIS diagrams with a goal to link design rationale with product architecture visualization. Retrieving IBIS diagram information is more efficient due to branched structure which directs users to retrieve only information they need, rather than processing all of the text document written rationale. Templates have been made to facilitate diagram creation.
2. Diagram integration with design documentation
Difficulties of diagram integration with design documentation have been solved with a newly developed explorer environment. Files that are displayed in explorer browsers can be associated with statuses and manually linked to other files, directories, diagrams or ontology. Modifying file representation properties allows users to enrich stored design files with additional information. If some design document is linked with a diagram, its representation informs user that such link exists. By selecting the document user can furthermore retrieve additional information and open the diagram file through the given hyperlink. This way, an actual bidirectional hyperlink exists between diagrams and external files.

Figure 1. Design explorer interface and embedded visualization tools
The prototype tool visualizes information in two ways, on two different levels. The first is on browser content level, where file icons are automatically changed depending on whether the files are linked or associated with a status. Other way of information visualization is on diagram network level, by visualizing all established traceability links in form of a diagram. Each file, diagram, ontology element or directory that is in any way linked is represented in the form of a diagram node and traceability links between files are represented as diagram links.
Prototype implementation showed that diagram network visualization facilitates requirement fulfilment verification, whereas only a quick diagram overview gives an insight of all requirements and the corresponding test documentation. This is particularly helpful when the verification is done by a third party.
References
Aurisicchio, M and Bracewell, RH: 2013, Capturing an integrated design information space with a diagram based approach, Journal of Engineering Design, Vol. 24, Issue. 6, pp. 397-428. 
Salustri, FA, Eng, NL and Weerasinghe, JS: 2008, Visualizing Information in the Early Stages of Engineering Design. Computer-Aided Design & Applications, 5(1-4).