Towards a Design Process Ontology

ABSTRACTIn the absence of any single coherent all-encompassing theoretical model of designing, this study seeks to review and rationalize theories of design process as the foundational framework for exploring where value is added through design. This leads to an interim design process ontology, or more simply; a terminological framework which can accommodate the significant developments in design process modelling of the last 50 years alongside identification of other significant factors which affect design outcomes. Within the resulting ontology class hierarchy, design process is placed within the wider context of design domain and an Input-Process-Output classification. Within the Process class, Motivation, Scale, Path and Design Process Structures are identified as significant subclasses. Research challenges resulting from the interim design ontology are identified.