Task 1: Define System Architecture
Functional decomposition of the product into solution-neutral functional modules.
Input
Product Requirements Specification (PRS), particularly system identification (actors, external interfaces, artifacts), use cases, scenarios, and functional requirements.
Output
Functional Module Table (responsibilities + PRS mapping); Architecture Diagram (modules and their logical interconnections, including connections crossing the system boundary); Internal Interconnection Table and External Interconnection Table (every connection from the diagram, with stable IDs, direction, payload, and rationale).
Task 2: Concept Analysis
Evaluate implementation approaches per functional module and classify each as trivial, balanced, or exploratory.
Input
Functional modules from the System Architecture; relevant PRS requirements (performance, cost, environmental, etc.).
Output
Per-module concept classification, trade-off analyses for balanced concepts, identified uncertainties for exploratory concepts, and documented rationale for selected concepts.
Task 3: Prototyping & Feasibility Validation
Build targeted prototypes (bench tests, breadboards, simulations, 3D prints) to resolve key uncertainties, typically only for exploratory concepts.
Input
Exploratory concepts and their open feasibility questions.
Output
Validation results, confirmed or revised concept decisions, and possibly proposed PRS adjustments where requirements prove infeasible or impractical.
Task 4: Define Device Architecture
Map functional modules onto concrete hardware, software, FPGA (if applicable), and mechanical components, including the partitioning of functionality across these domains.
Input
System Architecture and selected implementation concepts.
Output
Device Architecture Diagram (components + physical interfaces) and Mapping Table (components ↔ functional modules).
Task 5: Describe Functional Modules
Produce a technical description for each functional module, bridging abstract function and concrete implementation.
Input
Functional modules, selected concepts, and Device Architecture.
Output
Per-module description covering role/scope, involved components, interfaces, and selected concept summary, optionally with a focused architecture sub-diagram, with each module's interfaces identified by reference to the connection identifiers (IC-nn, EC-nn) defined in Task 1's interconnection tables.
Task 6: Design Risk Analysis (DFMEA)
Systematically identify failure modes at module and interface level, assess severity / occurrence / detection, and define mitigations.
Input
System Architecture, the Interconnection Tables (Internal and External) from Task 1, Device Architecture, functional module descriptions, environmental/operational conditions.
Output
DFMEA table with failure modes, risk ratings, and mitigation actions (architectural changes, refined requirements, or additional verification); inputs feeding back into the SRS and Test Plan.
Task 7: Compile System Requirements Specification (SRS)
Translate the validated technical decisions into atomic, unambiguous, verifiable, and traceable system requirements.
Input
PRS, System & Device Architecture, selected concepts, functional module descriptions, DFMEA mitigations, and the Interconnection Tables (Internal and External) from Task 1: which provide the enumerated set of interfaces to be analysed.
Output
Baselined SRS, with each requirement with unique ID, description, PRS traceability link, and indicated verification method; organised by subsystem/module or requirement type.
Task 8: Initial Product Pricing
Develop an early cost view based on a preliminary Bill of Materials.
Input
Device Architecture, candidate component selection, indicative supplier/distributor pricing, target volumes.
Output
Concept BoM with unit cost estimate, sourcing / compliance (RoHS, REACH) and lifecycle notes, assumptions, and optional sensitivity analysis.
Task 9: Initial Product Test Plan
Define how PRS and SRS requirements will be verified, ensuring testability is addressed proactively.
Input
PRS, SRS, Device Architecture, DFMEA outcomes.
Output
Initial Test Plan covering verification strategies, required tooling/fixtures, test equipment, acceptance criteria, and initial requirement-to-test traceability.