A design navigation system that combines design knowledge and suitable design tool has been developed. The system enables a designer to shorten the design time by guiding the designer through a series of defined design steps. Each step uses five sources of information and know-how : input, output, references, tools and memos. Designers are guided through the entire design process-one step at time. The system has three key features : (1) it uses a clear step-by-step design process combined with design knowledge and design tools, (2) it guides designers by showing the design process in a work breakdown structure (WBS), and (3) the designer can search for necessary knowledge during the design process. The system shortens design time and improves design reliability. The effectiveness of the system was demonstrated by applying it to a piston design process.
