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DETC2000/DTM-14579
Kjartan Pedersen Jan Emblemsvåg Reid Bailey, Janet K. Allen* and Farrokh Mistree
Kvaerner Oil and Gas Considium Consulting Systems Realization Laboratory
AS Group AS The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical
Postboks 169 Postboks 1115 Engineering
1324 Lysaker 1361 Billingstad Georgia Institute of Technology
Norway Norway Atlanta, GA 30332-0405
USA
*
Corresponding Author, to whom correspondence should be addressed: janet.allen@me.gatech.edu, Phone/FAX: 404-894-8168/9342.
PURPOSE :
Defined based on METHOD
METHOD VALIDITY
VALIDITY
Intuitive Knowledge Criteria:
Criteria:USEFULNESS
USEFULNESS with with
(i.e., experience) respect
respect to a PURPOSE
to a PURPOSE
Effectiveness : USEFULNESS ::
USEFULNESS
Efficiency :
METHOD
METHOD Efficient
Efficient and
and//or
or
Qualitative Evaluation of Quantitative Evaluation of
Effective ininachieving
Effective achievingthe
the
METHOD METHOD
articulated purpose(s).
articulated purpose(s).
Figure 1 --
Design Method Validation - Building Confidence in Usefulness.
The Validation Square is in the gray box.
assumptions upon which the method rests.
(1) Accepting the construct’s validity: In order to build confi-
dence in the validity of the individual constructs
constituting the method, we suggest using the literature. (3) Accepting the example problems: In order to build confi-
Based on the name of the author and publisher, the number dence in the appropriateness of the example problems cho-
of references associated with the construct, how long the sen for verifying the method performance, we suggest
construct has been referenced, and so, an inference towards documentation in stages. First, document that the example
acceptance can be built. In addition, if the constructs are problems are similar to the problems for which the method
being used as benchmarking for new constructs, they should constructs are generally accepted. Then, document that the
be demonstrated to be highly accepted and valued. example problems represent the actual problem for which
the method is intended. Finally, document that the data
(2) Accepting method consistency: In order to build confidence associated with the example problems can support a
in the way the constructs are put together in the method conclusion.
(i.e., in the method’s internal consistency) we suggest using As can be seen, the validity of the method constructs –
flow-chart representations focusing on information flow. In individually (1) and integrated (2) – deals with the structural
this way it can easily be demonstrated that for each step soundness of the method in a more general sense, and are
(construct) there is adequate input available, that the therefore denoted Theoretical Structural Validity. The
anticipated output from the step (construct) is likely to validity of the example problems for which the method is to
occur based on the input, and that the anticipated output is be tested (3) deals with the structural soundness for some
an adequate input to another step (construct). Further, particular instances, and are therefore denoted Empirical
identifying the information flow unveils what information is Structural Validity, However, both ‘validities’ are
assumed to be readily available, hence, facilitates evaluation evaluated qualitatively.
against reality. Method inconsistency refers to generating
(6) Accepting usefulness of method beyond example problems: 3. VALIDATING THE VALIDATION SQUARE
To build confidence in generality, we suggest using In this section, we provide a brief albeit cursory overview of
induction that entails the following: our thinking on this topic and the status of validation. Further
In (1), we demonstrate that the individual constructs are details are presented in Pedersen (1999). Much more needs to
generally accepted for some limited applications. be done and we look forward to other members of the design
In (2), we demonstrate the internal consistency of the way research community joining us in this effort.
the constructs are put together in the method. We validate the ‘Validation Square’ by validating its
In (3), we demonstrate that the constructs are applied internal consistency in addition to its external relevance, i.e.,
within their accepted ranges. we apply the ‘Validation Square’ to validate itself. For those
In (4), we demonstrate the usefulness of the method for who regard this as circular argumentation, we refer them to
some chosen example problems, which in (3) are mathematics - mathematics is validated by means of
demonstrated to be appropriate for testing the method. mathematics.
In (5), we demonstrate that the usefulness achieved is due
to applying the method.
Based on this we claim generality, i.e., that the method is
useful beyond the tested example problems. However, as
shown in Section 1.3, every validation rests ultimately on
Gather Data
Numerical Taxonomy
Cluster Data
(Sneath & Sokal 1973)
Phase II: MODEL
Model Relations
& formulate c-DSPs
Phase III: SOLVE
Decide on HPP
Figure 2 --
The HPPRM and its Constructs: An Overview
Old View of Knowl- Fundamental Basis for New Emerging New View on
edge Validation Assumptions Refutation Assumptions Knowledge Validation
Reductionist Rationality only Honderich, Einstein Intuition valid basis for Holistic
valid basis for defining purpose for ap-
knowledge plication of knowledge
Formalist Objectivity exists Hegel, Kuhn, Research validation linked to Social and
Wittgenstein, Gødel, usefulness conversational
REFERENCES
THEORETICAL THEORETICAL Bailey, R., 1997, The Design of Industrial Ecosystems. M.S.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE Thesis, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical
VALIDITY VALIDITY Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
Bailey, R., Bras, B., and Allen, J.K., 1999, "Using Robust
Concept Exploration and Systems Dynamics Models in the
Design of Complex Systems," Engineering Optimization,
EMPIRICAL EMPIRICAL Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 33-58.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE Barlas, Y., 1996, “Formal Aspects of Model Validity and Vali-
VALIDITY VALIDITY dation in System Dynamics.” System Dynamics Review Vol.
12, No. 3, pp. 183-210.
Barlas, Y. and S. Carpenter, 1990, “Philosophical Roots of
Model Validation: Two Paradigms.” System Dynamics
Figure 3 - - The Validation Square Review Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 148-166.
Barzilai, J., 1998, "Measurement Foundations for Preference
The Validation Square has been used to validate a design Function Modeling." The 1998 IEEE Conference on Sys-
method for realizing large and expensive made-to-order sys- tems, Man, and Cybernetics, San Diego, CA.
tems, namely, the HPPRM (Pedersen 1999), and to validate a Capra, F., 1991, The Tao of Physics. Boston, MA, Shambala.
method for product platform configuration (Siddique 1999). Capra, F., 1996, The Web of Life. New York, Doubleday.
Based on this paper we assert that the Validation Square is Chen, W., 1995, A Robust Concept Exploration Method for
appropriate for validating research results in general, as long as Configuring Complex Systems. Ph.D. Dissertation, The
it can be subjected to qualitative and quantitative evaluation as George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering,
outlined in Section 2. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
By introducing usefulness and purpose into the validation Descartes, R., [1641] 1931, Meditations on First Philosophy.
procedure, we absolutely are not advocating that “anything The Philosophical Works of Rene Descartes. Cambridge,
goes.” The validation square is specifically designed to bring Cambridge University Press.
rigor to a validation process that is both quantitative and Einstein, A., 1950, The Theory of Relativity & Other Essays.
qualitative. When dealing with open constructs such as design New York, MJF Books.
methods, open validation procedures are imperative. It is only Emblemsvåg, J., 1999. Activity-Based Life-Cycle Assessments
in a relativistic validation procedure that the validity of an open in Design and Management. The George W. Woodruff
construct can be fully assessed. School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical
As we note in the abstract, we recognize that no one has the Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
answer. We trust that you enjoyed thinking aloud with us. We Gödel, K., 1931. “Über Formal Unentscheidbare Sätze der
now invite you to comment upon what we have presented so Principia Mathematica und Verwandter Systeme.”
that we together can create something of value not only to us Monatshefte für Math. u. Physik Vol. 38, pp. 173-198.
but for our student colleagues - the next generation researchers! Hall, P., 1994, Innovation, Economics and Evolution - Theo-
retical Perspectives on Changing Technology in Economic
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Systems. Hertfordshere England, Harvester Wheatsheaf.
Kjartan Pedersen's doctoral study was supported both finan- Hazelrigg, G. A. (1999). “Validation of Engineering Design
cially and by way of information by Kvaerner ASA, Norway. Alternative Selection Methods.” unpublished.
We acknowledge the financial support. We gratefully Hegel, G. W. F., [1817] 1959, Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
acknowledge the encouragement that we have received from New York, Philosophical Library.
Rolf Kvamsdahl (Kvaerner ASA) and Stian Erichsen (NTNU, Honderich, T., Ed., 1995, The Oxford Companion to Philoso-
Trondheim) to think out of the box and in making change a phy. New York, Oxford University Press.
handmaiden of success. Reid Bailey has been supported by a Kant, I. [1781] 1933, Critique of Pure Reason. London, St.
Department of Energy Integrated Manufacturing Fellowship. Martins Press.
Finally, we acknowledge the contribution of Carolyn Seepersad Koch, P. N., 1997, Hierarchical Modeling and Robust Synthe-
in identifying and smoothing over some of the rough spots in sis for the Preliminary Design of Large Scale Complex
this paper. Systems. Ph.D. Dissertation, The George W. Woodruff