THE MORPHOLOGICAL METHOD

This approach is attributed to Zwicky. The method hinges around a morphological chart or design matrix (table) and really only caters for the stages of presenting and evaluating the alternative ideas. To use the matrix for this purpose it is of prime importance that the designer has carefully established his specification; to employ the morphological matrix without first doing so could result in obvious chaos. The morphological approach derives its name from the dictionary definition: "pertaining to the study of an organized system or form".

The matrix comprises a single left-hand column in which are listed the parameters essential to the design, i.e. what the design must be, or must have. To the right of each element in the column is a row containing the possible ways of achieving that particular parameter. The morphological method is principally concerned with the speculation step in the process.

To illustrate the use of the morphological matrix, consider the design of a forklift truck for use in a warehouse. The design parameters resulting from the specification would include:

1. means of support which allow movement across the floor
2. means of steering the vehicle
3. means of stopping
4. propulsion
5. power unit
6. power transmission
7. lifting mechanism
8. facilities for operator

What Is a Morphological Chart?

The morphological chart (see figure below) is a methodto generate ideas in an analytical and systematic manner. Usually, functions of the product are taken as astarting point. The various functions and subfunctions of a product can be established through a functionanalysis.However, function analysis does not guarantee thatall the relevant (sub) functions are identified. Oftena number of solutions to these (sub) functions are already known, while others are thought up by yourself. These solutions will form the components in the morphological chart. The morphological method thus yields a matrix of functions and components. Possible components are listed on the basis of their functions. The components are concrete and specific, specifying the elements that belong to a category (i.e. parameter). These components are already known partially from existing solutions: analogous products. Functions are listed in columns, and components are the means that realise the functions and are listed in rows.

The parameters are identified by focusing on the commonalities of components, and describing them as the characteristics which a product should have, thus indicating what the product should be; they are essential to the solution. The parameters are independent and abstract, and indicate a category (with no reference to material features).By means of the morphological chart, the product’s purpose is split into a set of (sub)functions. For each of the (sub)functions ideas are generated and combined into an overall solution. Through careful selection and combination of a set of components,an idea comes about. This idea should be seen as a principal solution: a carefully chosen combination of components that together form a conceptual solution

A morphological chart showing these parameters and some possible ways of satisfying them is shown in Figure 1.

If every solution on each row is compatible with all the solutions on the other rows the number of possible solutions to the system is a multiple of all the ideas on the rows, the possibilities would be enormous. Clearly many of the alternatives are not compatible, e.g. an air cushion vehicle could not be steered by its wheels if it had none.

In the example of the forklift truck some of the alternatives along a row may be combined to give a single solution, e.g. hydraulic transmission maybe used for the lifting mechanism whereas the drive to the wheels might be in the form of shafts and gears. It can be seen that transmission may have been divided into lift and motive; any morphological chart may be subdivided to cover all aspects of the problem. The coarseness of the division is decided by experience. This example illustrates the problems which may arise if the specification stage is ignored. By formulating a specification it would have been shown that steering by rails is unacceptable for a general purpose forklift vehicle. Similar arguments can be applied to some of the other solutions suggested.

In the example the forklift truck the truck was required to perform various functions, which were listed as design parameters. An alternative is to consider the properties required of the design. Consider a tool for tilling the soil; it will not be described as a spade as this suggests a particular solution-to the problem. The parameters may now be divided into functions-and properties. The only function is that it should employ manual effort and result in the ground being broken up:

1. breaking up the ground

The properties required are:

2. light to use
3. ease of stowage
4. corrosion resistance
5. simple to maintain etc.

Each of these parameters can be listed on a morphological chart as in Figure 2. Even for the small field in Figure 2, the number of combinations are large.

Even when consider a familiar object like a "beer bottle" it is possible to use the morphological method to produce many of the forms in existence and to some completely new ones, Figure 3. The method generates a large number of alternatives, it still remains to the designer to sort out which alternative to pursue.

Selecting one alternative from each attribute we can difine both old and new configurations.

• The standard "stubby" is:
  short, 12 oz., brown, smooth, cap.
• A completely new configuration is:
  curved, 6 oz., crystal, etched, pull top.

Many more interesting and alternative configurations can be derived from this chart.