Using Attribute Classes to Uncover Latent Value during Conceptual Systems Design

A key challenge for designers is to create systems that stakeholders will perceive as delivering sustained value over the life of the system. The perceived value of a system by its stakeholders changes over time as a result of many different factors such as experience with use of the system, changes within the regulatory environment or marketplace, availability of new technologies, and emergent needs. During the concept phase, designers elicit stakeholder needs and desired system attributes though various methods, yet there is often significant unarticulated or latent value that remains uncovered until later in the system lifecycle. A method is presented that uses attribute classes to aid the system designer in understanding perceived value in context of an overall value spectrum. Desired system attributes are characterized using several value classes including: articulated value, free latent value, combinatorial latent value, accessible value and inaccessible value. Illustrative examples are presented to examine how this method can aid the designer in a deeper exploration of system attributes to uncover latent value during the conceptual system design phase. Implications of this method for improving the overall system design process are discussed, including strategies for bearing the costs of latent value.