Chart-based techniques for representing designs at different levels of abstraction

One of the acceptable sequences of the working stages of the design process contains: (a) specifications, (b) conceptual design, (c) embodiment design, and (d) detailed design as its working stages. Following the principle of deployment as used in quality function deployment, it can be said that specifications deploy customer requirements, conceptual design deploys specifications and embodiment design deploys conceptual design. Based on this deployment principle it is possible to establish three charts namely: (a) specification chart, (b) conceptual design chart, and (c) embodiment design chart to represent the designs at different levels of abstraction. The paper describes how these charts are constructed and used to store designs. It also shows how the charts can be developed to represent the design of a portable belt conveyor at different stages.