A Tool for Conceptualising in PSS development

This paper introduces a tool for conceptualising in the development of product/servicesystems (PSS), based upon the modelling of service activities. Our argumentation is built on two previous articles by the same author, previously presented at the 16. Symposium “Design for X” [1] and the 9th International Design Conference [2].

In this contribution, we take the step from a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon to creating a normative exploitation of this understanding for PSS concept development. The developed modelling technique is based on the Customer Activity Cycle (CAC) model by Vandermerwe [3]. Our subsequent development and tailoring of this model has been carried out in repeated applications (and evolution) via a number of projects conducted by Design & Innovation (D&I) engineering students at The Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

The documentation of these projects, foremost a recent project in the shipbuilding industry [4], represent the main data source for this paper. The resulting Activity Modelling Cycle (AMC) model has been refined and changed in order to address many of the issues identified as central for PSS development.

The model has been found to support the integrated consideration of the customers’ activities, possible PSS offerings and beneficial partnering options (i.e. between different supplier companies) within the delivery value chain.