Graphical Triangularization

DSM 2015: Modeling and managing complex systems - Proceedings of the 17th International DSM Conference Fort Worth (Texas, USA), 4-6 November 2015

Year: 2015
Editor: Browning, T. R.; Eppinger, S. D.; Schmidt, D. M.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Strattner, M.; Fank, P.; Braun, T.
Series: DSM
Section: Project Management
Page(s): 89-96

Abstract

Within this paper, an approach is presented for graphical illustration of triangularization algorithms. Thereby the benefit of representing complex content in a Design Structure Matrix (DSM) and a strength-based graph visualization can be combined. To assess this approach, a structure of interdependent project activities taken from a product development project is used as an example. In this context, the presented approach can be seen as superior to classical project planning methods such as Gantt charts based on top-down planning of project activities. Not being a supplement to classical methods, the presented approach is yet capable of reducing project risks and optimizing the sequence of project activities in order to avoid iterations through feedback loops and mitigate their negative effects. This methodological approach was applied in a software tool and verified.

Keywords: Design Structure Matrix (DSM), dependencies of project activities, Gantt chart, sequencing of project activities, feedback loops, optimization algorithms, triangularization