Michiel van Osch

Finding Structure in Complexity

Bio.

Bio: Michiel van Osch (1977) has a master degree in computer science at TU/e, he completed the post master in software technology at TU/e and has a PhD. In automated model-based testing. After his PhD he became system architect of robot Rose, a robot for home-care and CTO of Rose BV. From 2015 he has been working at Fontys Technology, first as robotics researcher and lecturer, later also as robotics research leader, and since 2022 as associate lector System Design and Realization. His research focusses on improving systems engineering, applications of AI in systems engineering, and Axiomatic Design. He also teaches systems engineering and systems architecture within the Fontys System Design Master program.

Abstract.

Defining and managing requirements is one of the most challenging aspects of systems engineering. How can requirements be structured consistently? How can traceability be maintained throughout the development process? How can requirements be decomposed into coherent sub-requirements while ensuring completeness and consistency? And how can requirements be translated into system components while properly addressing quality attributes and constraints? Axiomatic Design [1,2] is a systems design methodology that addresses these challenges. In Axiomatic Design, a system design is described through four domains: Customer Attributes (or Customer Needs), Functional Requirements and Constraints, Design Parameters, and Process Variables. Requirements are systematically decomposed through a process known as “zigzagging” between these domains, enabling clear traceability from stakeholder needs to implementation decisions. The methodology is guided by two fundamental principles. The Independence Axiom promotes modularity by maintaining the independence of functional requirements. The Information Axiom encourages solutions that are simple, robust, and less sensitive to variation. Together, these axioms provide practical guidance for creating designs that are easier to understand, implement, maintain, and evolve. Although Axiomatic Design has existed for more than 35 years and has been successfully applied in a variety of engineering domains, it remains relatively unknown and can be difficult to learn from books and academic papers alone. This 90-minute workshop offers an accessible, hands-on introduction to the methodology.
The workshop combines short explanations with practical exercises in which participants will use Bangsi [3], a freely available and open-access tool for applying Axiomatic Design. For participants of the workshop, it is recommended to bring a laptop and to explore the Bangsi tool in advance.
1. Suh, N.P.: The Principles of Design. Oxford University Press (1990)
2. Suh, N.P.: Axiomatic Design Theory for Systems. In Research in Engineering Design, Volume 10, 189 – 209 (1998)
3. bangsi.axiomaticdesign.org