Approaches to analyzing multi-functional problems

Designers’ appreciation of functional analysis and morphological synthesis and criticism regarding sub functional focus and poor innovation ability of these approaches, is the theoretical starting point of this article. Inspired by the multi-functionality of fascinating principles found in nature, this article explores how multi-functionality is handled in engineering design.

Using a multi-functional case, findings suggest searching for multi-functional solution principles and that minor changes to the FM-tree could support designers in assessing a product’s complexity degree.