Functional requirements decomposition in set-based design
It addresses the lack of formal guidance in functional requirements decomposition for set-based design, providing a structured approach for complex systems engineers.
The paper introduces a four-step method for hierarchically decomposing functional requirements in set-based design, enabling parallel abstraction and systematic narrowing of design sets to satisfy top-level requirements.
Designing systems is typically uncertain and ambiguous at early stages. Set-based design supports alternative exploration and gradual uncertainty reduction during the early lifecycle, making it practical for complex systems design. In parallel, the functional requirements decomposition helps to advance the design incrementally. However, current literature on set-based design lacks formal guidance in how to decompose functional requirements. To bridge this gap, we introduce a four-step method to decompose functional requirements for set-based design hierarchically. We systematically define, reason, and narrow the sets, breaking down the functional requirements into formal sub-requirements. This method allows parallel abstraction, ensuring the resulting system satisfies the top-level functional requirements.