Abstract
In recent complex product systems development, product design orientation is emphasized for the purpose of corporate brand building. The literature on the design-oriented product development is focused on that for consumer goods, and it may not be appropriate to apply the past findings to that for the complex product systems with a high degree of user involvement. This paper describes an actual case of design management in the development of rolling stock, which is a complex product system. It analyzes the characteristics of design management, especially noting how the users who place importance on regional brand building manage the outsourcing of design works. The analysis implies that, in order to promote the front-loading of development, the collaboration is effective, not between the two parties of users and designers, but between the three parties including specialist advisors in design.
https://ror.org/03tgsfw79 
