How to build a design product and its end-product system? An original approach called SCOS'

This study presents a Systems Engineering (SE) approach to reach new objectives, especially in term of values creation (such as economic, environmental, societal and scientific values). This paper presents the definition and the modelling issue of an original extension of the SE methodology, called SCOS' (Systemics for Complex Organisational Systems). It focuses on coordination aspects between the Design System and the End-Product System (resulting from the design) and brings a new contribution to the Concurrent Engineering environment. In a first part we present Systems Science or Systemics as our conceptual reference framework. Thanks to this methodology we consider two systems in interaction: the Design System and the End-Product System. Our SCOS' general method proposed for both systems is presented. The expected finalities are clarified for each phase (step) of the life cycle and for each customer at the beginning of the general process, so that all the creating values processes are developed to meet these finalities. In the second part of the paper, the links between the Design System (that is decomposed in subsystems: development, manufacturing, use, support, retirement system) and the End-Product System are developed. In the last part, two study cases are presented: - the design of a complex distribution network of hydrogen as an energy carrier for automotive; - the design of a healthcare research centre. The same generic approach has been developed to design two different End-Product Systems: a technical infrastructure and a research organisation.