However, we will present a general overview of design morphology here as a basis for later discussions. A clear statement of the product requirements in terms of performance, time, cost, and other specifications are developed. Key elements are the gathering of information to understand the problem, determining customer requirements, evaluating relative importance of these requirements, and developing target specifications for the design. Planning topics include identification of tasks, personnel and time requirements for each task, and a schedule of tasks. A rough idea of how the product will function and what it will look like is developed.
Elements here are concept generation and concept evaluation.
Generating concepts includes pursuing different sources for and using idea generation techniques. This phase begins with the development of the selected concept and ends with a product ready for manufacture. Primary here is the concurrent design of the product and the manufacturing process. Final product from this phase will be the documentation needed to produce the product. Other evaluations will address cost evaluation and ease of assembly and maintenance.