Matrix-based multivariate analysis of survey data on potentials for the collaboration of design and simulation

Companies are increasingly forced to assert themselves in the market through efficient product development. Since use and potential of mechanical simulations have increased in recent years, many companies find it difficult to integrate the corresponding departments efficiently in the development process. This paper uses contingency analysis and cross tabulation to find patterns in the data of a survey-based study on the state of collaboration between design and simulation to identify significant relationships between the variables in the data set and thus describe the interdependence between the corresponding barriers and improvement measures for these departments. Using a domain mapping approach, it was possible to link suitable improvement measures to the corresponding barriers. By clustering response patterns, typical industry situations leading either to efficient or inefficient collaboration were identified. The selected methods were suitable to identify relevant connections that can help companies to choose the right measures to improve their specific situation.