An empirical survey on efficiency improvement for the collaboration between design and simulation departments

Efficient collaboration between design and simulation departments is a challenge in many industries. Under the cost and time pressure of product development, CAD/CAE integration has become increasingly important. This paper presents the results of an online survey and expert interviews within the German industry to analyse the collaboration of design and simulation departments. Four aspects of CAD/CAE integration were considered in the research project: people/communication, process, data, and tools. A similar questionnaire survey, which was conducted in 2006, is the base for this research. Through the analysis of the results and a comparison with the survey from 2006, weak points of the current collaboration were discovered. Thereby, a need for further research in this area is proven. In interviews, the survey results were discussed with experts to find solutions for the discovered issues. This paper provides an overview of the current collaboration of these two departments and also its challenges. The insights provided by the survey show directions for further research on the collaboration between design and simulation departments and where the greatest impact can be achieved.