Identifying Indicators for the Use of Virtual Prototypes in Distributed Design Activities

This paper presents an approach to identify and validate indicators for the use of virtual prototypes (VPs) during distributed design activities. Identification of indicators is based on various data collection methods (interview, observational methods, literature review), whereas their validation and usage are based on the protocol analysis method. Using the approach, four indicators are proposed for a design review activity context. These indicators describe both the individual and collaborative use of the VP. To further delineate collaborative use, indicators distinguish personal and shared viewpoints, providing insights into synchronous collaboration. The implementation of the proposed approach and the four identified indicators were demonstrated on a design review session. The preliminary results show that, in a distributed design review activity, team members spend a small fraction of the time viewing the VP. On a team level, about half of that time was spent viewing the VP individually, while another half of time was spent working simultaneously (either synchronously or asynchronously) in pairs, triplets or four-members. However, this distribution varies among team members. Furthermore, team members utilised both personal and shared viewpoints, again varying among team members. Finally, instances of using the VP were usually brief but occurred throughout the whole session. Based on the conducted study, it can be argued that the design review involves continuous use of the VP throughout the session, either individually or with others (sharing the view or not). The proposed approach, indicators and preliminary results provide new insights for practitioners who develop tools for VP use, design teams that want to improve their efficiency in using VPs, and scholars that study the collaboration within distributed design activities.