Visual sensitivity analysis of parametric design models: improving agility in design

Increasing complexity of parametric design models challenges the abilities of the human-visual perception system, and creates challenges to their effective utilization for sensitivity analysis. In this prototyping study, we propose a method for visual sensitivity analysis that aims to make the effects of change within a parametric model measurable and apparent for designers, thereby improving the potential of these tools for design analysis and improve agility in design process. The approach aims to improve visually analysing the sensitivity of a design model to planned parametric changes. The method adapts the Model-View-Controller paradigm from software engineering to decouple customizable control and visualization features in the model, while providing interfaces between them through parametric associations. We present findings from our case studies in addition to the results of a user study demonstrating the applicability and limitations of the proposed method.