A design change analysis model as a change impact analysis basis for semantic design change management

Lack of objective design change analysis model is a major problem for the accurate change impact prediction. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an ontology-based model named design change analysis model to organize the unstructured design properties as a basis for design change management. Design change analysis model is constructed by formalizing the mechanical design specifications in the form of design property network. Benefiting from the fine-grained organization, design change analysis model ensures the objectivity and accuracy of design change impact assessment. Since design change analysis model satisfies the attributions of small-world network, the change impact assessment should focus on more meaningful aspects including the linkage weight, node degree, and long-chain linkages of design change analysis model. With design change analysis model, the changeability of each design property which provides a quantified change propagation measurement could be evaluated. Additionally, different c...