Abstract: To decrease the coupling degree among configuration tasks of complex product, to reduce iteration times during the product configuration design process, to optimize the process of product configuration design, the technology of planning for product configuration design process is studied using dynamic design structure matrix (DSM). The DSM of product configuration design process, which is obtained on the basis of the task modeling of product configuration design process which is established through data flow diagram (DFD), is extended into triple forms. The dynamic DSM of product configuration design process is generated by dual-mapping among the different forms of DSM. So, the customer requirement and the lasted knowledge of product configuration are embodied in the process of product configuration. After that, the process of product configuration design is planned by the decomposition and tearing of DSM. Thus, the recombination of product configuration tasks and the optimization of product configuration process are realized. The method provides a basis for task allocation of cooperative configuration design. An example of project implementation under the architecture is given to illustrate the planning of complex product configuration design process for the technology mentioned.

Key words: Collaborative configuration design, Data flow diagram, Design structure matrix, Product configuration design process