System Functions

What is System Functions?
System Function is a set of functions that a system must perform, in other words, what system or product is expected to do.
Why System Functions?
It serves as a fast collection of summarized, high-level requirements and allows to explore behaviors of the system. By thinking through behaviors, we naturally identify functions that the system or product must perform.
Best Practices
Procedure
Functional Basis: Vocabulary and Flows
Demo Video
This video gives you a walk-through on how to develop system functions through a worked example of an Autonomous Vehicle Design Challenge.

Examples
Here are examples of System Functions representations for AV case study.
References and Additional Resources
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Stone, R., Wood, K., 1999. Development of a Functional Basis for Design. DECT99/DTM-8765.
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Hirtz, J., Stone, R., McAdams, D., Szykman, S., Wood, K., 2002, A Functional Basis for Engineering Design: Reconciling and evolving previous efforts. Research in Design Engineering 13 (2002) 65-82