Function Definition

A Powerful Problem or Opportunity

Analysis Technique

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Define the Project
Business Case, Opportunity Statement, Goal,
Define Scope and Boundaries

Capture & Analyze Voice of the Customer

Identify Identify Critical Customer Requirements (CCRs) &
CCRs Establish System Specifications via QFD1

Identify System Design Concept

Determine System Functionality
Map CCRs to System Functions via QFD2
Design Develop Detailed Design
Map Functions to Design Parameters via QFD3
Typical
Design for Robust Performance
Minimize Sensitivity to Design & Operating Variations
DFSS
Design for Manufacturability Process
Optimize Minimize Sensitivity to Mfg Variations
for 6
Predict Quality
Predict  Iterate to Meet Quality Target
OK
Test & Validate
Validate Assess Performance, Reliability, Mfg, ...
OK
Deliver to Customer

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Design for Six Sigma, K. Yang
 Objectives
• Learn “Best Practices” to Define Functions

• Identify Basic and Secondary Functions

• Develop a FAST Diagram

• Intro. to Value Engineering

• Assign Homework

FAST: Function Analysis System Technique

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Function Definition

• Describes a product in terms of an Active Verb and a

Measurable Noun

• Provides a complete understanding of the basic

reason(s) something exist

• Explore new ways to

deliver Customer
Satisfaction
– Improved performance
– Lower cost

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Steps to Function Definition

1. Define Project Scope

2. Define the Functions

3. Construct the FAST diagram

4. Perform FAST diagram logic checks

FAST = Function Analysis System technique

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman

 1.) Project Scope is a Lead Pencil
Product could be anything:
• Power Supply
PENCIL • Circuit Breaker
COMPONENTS
• Remote Village Computer Kiosk
ERASER
• IT Operating System
BAND
• Radar Set
BODY • Boat Simulator
PAINT • Fridge Ice Maker
LEAD
• Ski Speed & Distance Monitor
• RR Tie Conductivity Sensor
• Sparty T-Shirt Launcher
• etc.

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman

 2.) Define Functions for Project

Functions are defined in two word phrases

1. Active Verb:
– Describes the specific action we plan to achieve our intended purpose

2. Measurable Noun
– Defines the object onto which the action operates

Any Verb and Noun may be combined to describe the Function

Acid Test – “Does it describe what something

actually does in the system under study?”
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Verbose Descriptions Indicate Lack of
Design Understanding
Start Engine Establish Budget
Steer Automobile Increase Incentive
Stop Automobile Maintain Clearance
Remove CD Prevent Contamination
Attract Attention Protect Children
Reduce Size Tighten Bolt
Collect Data Reward Achievement
Collect Dirt Save Time
Control Deflection Transmit Information
Create Image Cut Grass
Educate Students Suppress Noise
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Verbs to Avoid
Passive and Indirect Verbs

Provide Give Is

Supply Furnish Prepare

Review Attend

Goal-Like Verbs
Improve “ize” words Optimize
Least Maximize Prioritize

Present Minimize

Economize
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Use Active Verbs Rather Than Passive Verbs

To change passive description to active, try using the noun as

the verb and then select another noun

Passive Active
Provide Support Support Weight
Examples

Seek Approval Approve Procedures

Develop Exhibits Exhibit Products
Submit Budget Budget Expenses
Determine Resolution Resolve Problem

Functions are intended to be taken literally . . .

as we attempt to BRING CLARITY . . .
in describing WHAT a system actually does
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Stimulating Innovation in Products and Service with Function Analysis and Mapping
 Function Description Of A Lead Pencil
Pencil Description
Components

ERASER Remove Marks

BAND Secure Eraser
Improve Appearance
BODY Support Lead
Transmit Force What is
Accommodate Grip wrong here?
PAINT Protect Wood
Improve Appearance
Display Information
Deliver Message
LEAD Make Marks

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman

 3.) Every Design has Basic and
Secondary Functions
Basic Function:
• Principal reason for the product’s existence
• Has value to the Customer
• Loss of Basic Function results in total loss of market value for
the design
• May be Performance or Esteem based

Secondary Function:
• Assist in, or necessary for, the realization of a Basic Function
• Targets for modification and/or elimination to:
– Reduce cost
– Reduce design complexity
– Achieve Breakthrough in design

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman

 Basic and Secondary Functions Of A Pencil
Pencil Description Functions
Components
(Basic or Secondary)

ERASER Remove Marks Secondary

BAND Secure Eraser Secondary
Improve Appearance Secondary
BODY Support Lead Secondary
Transmit Force Secondary
Accommodate Grip Secondary
PAINT Protect Wood Secondary
Improve Appearance Secondary
Display Information Secondary
Deliver Message Secondary
LEAD Make Marks Basic

Why someone
buys a pencil
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman
 3) Construct the FAST Diagram

FAST Diagram
– Visual layout (Tree Diagram) of product’s Functions
– Starts with the Basic Function, and builds to the right
with supporting or Secondary Functions

Why do a FAST Diagram?

– Understand Functions to
be eliminated, or improved,
to deliver Basic Function(s)

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Construct FAST Diagram Left to Right,
and Check it Right to Left
Ask How? Secondary Function

Secondary Function

Basic Function Secondary Function

Secondary Function
OR logic
AND logic

Secondary Function Ask Why?

Process of Construction:
1. Identify what you feel is the Basic Function.
2. Ask the question: “How is this Function actually accomplished?” Place
Secondary Functions to the right of the Basic Function.
3. Check the FAST diagram by starting at the right and working left. Ask the
question: “Why must this Function be performed?”
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value Management, J. Kaufman
 Pencil FAST Diagram

Display
Information

Ask How ? Improve

Appearance

Record Make Deposit Apply Support Protect

Information Marks Medium Pressure Lead Wood

Keep Maintain Secure Transmit Accommodate

Records Information Eraser Force Grip

Correct Remove Absorb Apply

Information Marks Medium Pressure

Ask Why ?
Rub
Eraser

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Example Mouse Trap
Ask Why ?
Objective: Eliminate Mice

Attract Bait
Mouse Trap

Set
Trigger

Kill Strike Release Trip Arm

Mouse Mouse Striker Trigger Trap

Position
Ask How ? Striker

Release Store Compress

Energy Energy Spring
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Example: Add Flavoring Inject Brine
Ensure
Sliced Ham Process Flavor
Spread Flavoring Retain Brine

Adjust Meat Color Add

Coloring
Remove Air Bubbles (to Meat)
Produce Enhance
Appearance Form Meat Tenderize
Sliced Meat
Ham
Remove Fat

Lower Meat
Remove Casing Temp

Space Meat Length

Fabricate
Slices Determine Meat Fix Meat
Weight Thickness

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Function Analysis, K. Akiyama, pg 207

 Four Rules of Function
Definition
1) Once defined, Basic Function does
not change. . . becomes principle
work a system does. Example:
flashlight is expected to emit light

2) Cost contribution of a Basic Function is a minimal

percentage of total system cost

3) Can not sell supporting Secondary Functions

without performing Basic Function satisfactorily

4) Loss of Basic Function(s) results in total loss of

market value. Example: Rolex watch that does not
display correct time
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 4.) FAST Diagram Logic
Checks

 Double check tree diagram “How?” and “Why?” logic.

 Identify possible Secondary Functions for elimination?

 Test by removing Secondary Function, and ask the
“How ?” and “Why ?” logic questions.

 Check “AND” logic and “OR” logic diagramming.

 Ensure project Scope lines are clearly drawn.

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 FAST Model is complete when . . .
Customer Needs can be
Mapped to Functions

Ask How ? Secondary

Function

Customer Need
Secondary Customer Need
Function

Customer Need
Customer Need
Basic Secondary
Function Function

Customer Need

Secondary Secondary
Function Function
Ask Why ?
Customer Need Customer Need
Customer Need
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Cost Function Matrix is Workhorse of
Value Engineering

Functions come from

detailed level of FAST
Operations, Parts, Total Functions (V-N) Diagram
Assembly Cost

Total
%

Operations, Parts, and

assemblies come from:
- Block diagram
- Process Map
- Logic Diagram
- Value chain

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Cost – Function Matrix Identifies
Areas of Opportunity

Steps to Create Matrix:

1.) List major operations, parts, or assemblies in left

hand column
2.) List total cost for each group in adjacent column
3.) Place Functions across top from FAST Diagram
4.) Identify Functions contributing to each line of cost
(indicate with dot in cell)
5.) Determine portion of cost associated with each
function
6.) Sum Functional cost
7.) Calculate Function %
8.) Show Function % on FAST diagram
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Example: International North Atlantic Ice Patrol

• Formed in 1913
• Result of Titanic sinking
April 14, 1912
• Iceberg condition data collected by
• Fixed wing aircraft
• Buoys

• Report warnings at 9 pm
each day in “plain, concise
English” during ice season
from February thru July.

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Purchase
Sensors

Hire
Ask How ? Operators

Locate Move
Example: Icebergs Operators

International Ice Compile

Move
Sensors
Messages
Patrol Receive Ship
Send Iceberg Data
Warnings Predict
Iceberg Collect Data
Position
Predict Ice
Drift

Establish
Transmit Station
Radio
Messages Operate
Radio

Ask Why ?

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value - Its Measurement, Design, and Management by M.L. Shillito Fig 7.7
 Example: International Ice Patrol
Cost-Function Matrix

Purchase Sensors

Move Operators
Hire Operators

Move Sensors

Receive Ship

Predict Drift
Collect Data

Transmitter
Establish
Stations

Operate
Data
Total
Cost $M
Aircraft Personel 705 235 235 235
Fuel 494 247 247
Aircraft Maintenance 490 245 245
Aircraft Op. Support 152 76 76
Office Staff 224 56 56 56 56
Travel/Lodging 50
Leasing 5 1 4
Bouys 63 63
Radar Film 13 13
Misc. 5 5
Admin. 480 120 120 120 120
Total $2,681 77 235 853 803 176 176 176 9 176
% 100 2.9 8.8 32 30 6.5 6.5 6.5 0.3 6.5

Note: Cost in 1983 dollars

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value – Its Measurement, Design, and Management by M.L. Shillito, Fig 7.8
 Example: International Ice Patrol
Purchase 2.9%
Sensors
Ask How ?
Hire 8.8%
Operators

Locate Move 32%

Icebergs Operators Target for cost
$2,056,000 reduction
Move 30.0%
Compile Sensors
Messages
$2,496,000
Receive Ship 6.5%
Send Iceberg Data
Warnings Predict
Iceberg Collect Data 6.5%
$2,681,000 Position
(1983)
$440,000 Predict Ice 6.5%
Drift

Establish 0.3%
Transmit Station
Radio
Messages Operate 6.5% Ask Why ?
Radio
$185,000

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Value - Its Measurement, Design, and Management by M.L. Shillito Fig 7.7
 Homework Assignment
Objective
• Develop a FAST Diagram for your ECE 480 Senior Design Project
Instructions
• Provide a few sentences describing your Project objectives to orient
me in grading this assignment
• Follow Step-By-Step process in slides
• Refer to examples and list of useful Verbs and Nouns in Slides and
Appendix
• Only diagram a maximum of 3 levels of Secondary Functions beyond
Basic Function(s)
Deliverables
• Typed FAST Diagram in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint from each Team
• E-Mail Diagram to G. Motter at sail1070@Yahoo.com and to Dr.
Goodman
Due Date
• One week from today
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Questions?

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Appendix: Classic Text Book Examples
• Useful Verbs and Nouns
• FAST Diagram Examples

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Useful Verbs in Describing Functions

Add Display Maintain Sense

Analyze Distribute Measure Separate
Arrange Eliminate Obtain Start
Attach Evaluate Position Store
Create Expand Prevent Support
Collect Extend Protect Test
Combine Freeze Recommend Transmit
Confirm Harden Record Transport
Contain Heat Reduce Use
Conduct Implement Remove Verify
Control Increase Resist
Convert Insulate Retain
Cool Invert Reverse
Destroy Isolate Rotate
Develop Locate Select

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Stimulating Innovation in Products and Service with Function Analysis and Mapping
 Useful Nouns in Describing Functions

Air Fluid Noise Time

Area Force Opening Torque
Assembly Frequency Pressure Vehicle
Atmosphere Friction Protection Vibration
Cold Gas Resistance Volume
Color Heat Resistance Voltage
Comfort Humidity Rotation Waste
Communication Indication Shape Water
Component Information Size Wear
Current Length Solid Weight
Distance Material Sound
Enclosure Mixture Space
Energy Mobility Stress
Environment Moisture Temperature
Expansion Motion Texture

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Stimulating Innovation in Products and Service with Function Analysis and Mapping
 Example:
Locate Support Sheet Ask Why ?
Paper Punch Sheet
Drive Punch

Guide Punch
Pierce Sheet
Retract Punch
Adjust
Organize Produce Locate Punch Assembly
Holes
Paper Holes
Drop Holes
Task Basic Collect Waste
Function Collect Holes

Prohibit Rust
Attract User
Scope Protect Work Surface
Ask How ?
Decorate Surface

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Acquiring, Processing, and Deploying the Voice of the Customer, M. Shillito, pg 74
 Mapping of Voice Of Customer to Functions
Example: Paper Punch

Locate Sheet
• Easy to insert
• Stays in place

Pierce Sheet
Produce • Easy to press
Holes • Won’t hurt hand
• Pierce multiple sheets
• Non-jamming

Adjust Hole (location)

• Easy access to assembly
• Easy to position
• Finger tight
• Stays in place

Collect Waste
• Holds large quantity of holes
• Holes won’t fall out
• Easy to clean

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Example: Function Tree - Flashlight
Ask Why ?

Ask How ? Convert Electricity Open/close

to Light circuit

Send Current Form Circuit

Generate Light Protect Bulb Store Electrical

Energy

House Parts Hold Bulb

Collect Light Reflect Light

Illuminate
Surroundings
Basic
Function Fit Grip
Hold Body

Retain Adsorb Force

Appearance

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008 Source: Function Analysis, K. Akiyama, pg 55

 Appendix
Past ECE 480 Project Examples

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Decode Have
Information Information
Refrigerator Ice
Display
Level Detection LED

Have Power
Source

Emit Light

Basic
Task Transfer Capture
Function
Image Picture

Detect Ice Output Decode Have Power

Level Height Image Source

Have
Algorithm

Time Image Have

Capture algorithm

Sense Have Ice

Environment Bin
Close
Freezer Door
Prepare
Camera
Stop Ice
Maker

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Activate Implement
Sensing and Run
System Code

Detect
Object Send Signal

Display Calculate
Measure Locate Brim Voltage
Object
Height Of Object Change
Height
(inches)
Convert Analog
Signal to Digital
Signal

Collect Data
Determine
Distance Use
Algorithm
© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008
 Digital Answering Machine
FAST Diagram

Detect Rings Connect Line

Answer Phone Detect Dial-tone Disconnect Line

Receive Messages Store Messages Record Audio Digitize Signal

Basic Function Secondary Functions

Store Date/time

Volume Control Amplify Audio

Playback Messages Convert Message Retrieve Message

Display Date/time Retrieve Date/time

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 ECE480
Active EMI Filter Sense Couple to Filter
Noise Input

Amplify
Noise

Measure
System Error

Reduce
Correct For Noise
Low Frequency
Error
Noise

Compensate
Amplifier
For Error

Cancel Currents

Design EMI Filter for Reduce

Pass DC through
Automotive Conducted
Filter Combine with
Application Noise
Existing Noise

Cancel Voltages

Increase Series
Use
Impedance at High
Inductors
Frequencies

Reduce
High Frequency
Noise

Short High
Use
Frequency Noise
Capacitors
To Ground

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 DigiDrive IV Platform
Development to compete with
GM On-Star and Ford Sync Install BlueSoleil
Send Bluetooth Software
Signal Configure
Remotely BlueSoleil
Activate Car Software
Receive Bluetooth
Setup Bluetooth
Signal
Receiver

Show Location Utilize GPS Sensor

Facilitate Provide
Driving Navigation Determine Route Install Garmin
Software

Read OBD-II Data Connect to CAN

Diagnose Bus
Problems
Analyze OBD-II Install Digimoto
Data (or CANalyzer)

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Designing and assemble a tug boat simulator.

We will be using a software program which will take in hardware inputs,

perform appropriate calculations, and transmit outputs.

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008

 Detecting an audio signal of a siren external to a vehicle and warning
the driver of the proximal emergency vehicle.

© G. A. Motter, 2006 & 2008