Redesign and Implementationn of Design Improvement to Flood Protection System

Abstract

The purpose with this thesis is to assist AquaFence in keeping their competitive edge within the mobile flood protection system market. The business objective is to develop a redesigned product that provides additional value. This is done by first analysing the current system and then basing the development of the new system on that. The value analysis methodology and the IPM model for engineering design are used as a framework in the entire thesis. Design for X is also applied to ensure that the development is done in a holistic perspective. The thesis does not cover the entire flood protection system, but a sub-system of that, namely the system of connecting two panels together.

The analysis part of the current system is performed as a case study, and includes a review of stakeholders, user situations, problems and issues, installation time, usability, a functional analysis, and also a synthesis of user demand specifications and product requirement specifications.

The development of the new design is performed as an action research and uses the inputs collected in the case study as a fundament. A creative concept generation process provides 30 solutions that are evaluated against Design for X criteria. One concept is selected using an evaluation matrix and the design is thereafter elaborated on. The design is described in detail, verified, validated and tested.

The test results show a reduction in installation time by 75 % and an increase in system usability by 150 %. The results are furthermore discussed in the aspect of how this and the design changes can lead to increased value for AquaFence and for the customers. Based on the results and the discussion, it is recommended to implement the new design. The thesis ends by proposing further work that is needed to successfully implement and benefit from the new system.

Keywords: value engineering, user experience, design for X, engineering design, product development, flood protection system, design improvement, IPM