We propose a new guide method for developing an easy-to-design process for product development. This process ensures a smaller number of wasteful iterations and less multiple conflicts. The design process is modeled as a sequence of design decisions. A design decision is defined as the process of determination of product attributes. A design task is represented as a calculation flow that depends on the product constraints between the product attributes. We also propose an automatic planning algorithm for the execution of the design task, in order to minimize the design loops and design conflicts. Further, we validate the effectiveness of the proposed guide method by developing a prototype design system and a design example of piping for a power steering system. We find that the proposed method can successfully minimize design loops and design conflicts. This paper addresses (1) a design loop model, (2) a design conflict model, and (3) how to minimize design loops and design conflicts.
