Development of the interdependencies of agile methods for information flow design to increase flexibility and efficiency in the development of mechatronic systems

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Nikola Bursac; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Kristin Paetzold-Byhain
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548801836

In order to remain competitive, it is necessary for companies to transform creative ideas into innovative products in the shortest possible time. At the same time, they are increasingly confronted with the need to react quickly and flexibly to changing conditions in development and to utilise development resources as effectively as possible. Against this background, agile methods are also attracting more and more attention for the development of mechatronic systems, as they increase the ability to react in dynamic development environments and offer potential for exploring solution spaces for development. Studies show that the benefits of agile working lie primarily in the effects of self-organisation, the ability to learn and transparency in the development process. This technical management is particularly necessary due to the division of labour in the development of complex mechatronic systems in order to consolidate work results and provide the development teams with the relevant information to solve their specific tasks. Methods that support synthesis and analysis in terms of finding solutions are used in parallel, as they address technical-physical development. While development methodological relationships and the associated cause-and-effect relationships have been widely researched and are very well understood, the mechanisms of action for the successful use of agile methods to support technical management have not yet been sufficiently investigated or understood. The aim of this research project is therefore to develop explanatory approaches for the mechanisms of action of agile methods. This is based on the assumption that agile methods certainly provide benefits for development methodological considerations, but that additional approaches from project management and organisational sciences are necessary for a better understanding of the mode of action, as aspects of coordination and collaboration contribute significantly to the benefits of agile methods.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants