In large projects, conceptual design is a critical phase, since early decisions can determine the entire shape of the project and lock in most of its down-stream costs. Conceptual design decisions are made at a point when there is a relative lack of information about their implications. Furthermore, there is a relative lack of information about and support for the process of conceptual design itself. Conceptual design has received little attention from design researchers and from those who build computer-based tools for designers. Our observations of designers suggest that an important resource during conceptual design is knowledge of lessons that can be learned from previous designs.
Experience is a major component in expertise.
Good designers go out of their way to study up on relevant prior works. They not only learn how those artifacts were put together, they study how they work in order to learn which aspects of the designs were successful and which contributed to problems. CBDAs make it easier for designers to get access to this kind of information by putting documentation and evaluations of existing artifacts on-line in a multimedia system organized for meaningful search and browsing. Design-MUSE has been used to help construct a number of CBDAs. The Design of a Tool Kit for Case-Based Design Aids.