The study of future change in the ship design process

• Main Author: Vesala, Lauri
• Other Authors: Laukia, Kari, Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu, Romanoff, Jani, Aalto-yliopisto, Aalto University
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: ship design process; innovation process in organizations; futures studies; Delphi method; 3D modeling; diffusion of innovations; Arctic
• Online Access: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/38903

Future planning is an important aspect of decision making, since it enables organizations to clarify their future priorities, improve risk awareness and recognize opportunities. Presently, many ship design companies are contemplating decisions, such as transitioning from the conservative 2D based ship design process to the more modern 3D based ship design. Until recently, 3D modelling tools have been generally considered as slow and constrained. However, recent developments in 3D CAD programs and other innovations have shown much improvements in the overall benefits. The design companies must therefore determine whether to adopt these innovations. The objective of this study was to determine how the ship design process can be expected to change within the next decade. The study was carried out by using the Delphi Method. Discipline members at Aker Arctic Technologies were interviewed about the present needs in the design process, based on which various existing innovations were reviewed prior to the Delphi-study. The Delphi experts then evaluated the suitability of these technologies to the design process, and also the 5-year and 10-year forecasts were created as a part of the study. The results suggested that highly impactful changes are not expected in the design process within the next 10 years. However, the results did suggest why certain innovations are easier to adopt, and why ship designers generally preferred reliability over novelty regarding the design tools. Tulevaisuuden suunnittelu on tärkeä osa päätöksentekoa, sillä se mahdollistaa organisaatioille tulevaisuuden painopisteiden selventämisen, riskitietoisuuden parantamisen ja mahdollisuuksien tunnistamisen. Tällä hetkellä monet laivansuunnitteluyritykset harkitsevat erilaisia päätöksiä, kuten siirtymistä konservatiivisesta 2D-pohjaisesta alusten suunnitteluprosessista nykyaikaisempaan 3D-pohjaiseen alusten suunnitteluun. Aiempina vuosina 3D-mallinnustyökaluja on yleisesti pidetty hitaina ja liian jäykkinä verrattuna 2D-suunnitteluun. 3D ...