Modularity, robustness, and change propagation: a multifaceted relation

S. A. Piccolo; S. Lehmann; A. M. Maier

doi:10.1017/dsd.2020.17

Modularity, robustness, and change propagation: a multifaceted relation

S. A. Piccolo, S. Lehmann, A. M. Maier

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

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Abstract

Increased system robustness is one of the promises of modularity. However, research on the topic has provided conflicting findings. By generating more than 2000 system architectures, this paper shows that the relation between modularity and robustness is multifaceted: Modularity decreases topological robustness, increases robustness to change propagation, and provides economic benefits. Results here confirm the importance of modularity, enable reconciliation of opposing findings from prior research, and guides researchers and practitioners in the selection of appropriate robustness measures.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2335-2344
Number of pages	10
Journal	Proceedings of the Design Society Conference
Early online date	11 Jun 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/dsd.2020.17
Publication status	Published - 29 Oct 2020
Event	16th International Design Conference 2020 - Cavtat, Croatia Duration: 26 Oct 2020 → 29 Oct 2020 https://www.designconference.org/

Keywords

modularity
robustness
complex systems
network approaches
design structure matrix (DSM)

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10.1017/dsd.2020.17Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Piccolo-etal-PDC-2020-Modularity-robustness-change-propagationFinal published version, 645 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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title = "Modularity, robustness, and change propagation: a multifaceted relation",

abstract = "Increased system robustness is one of the promises of modularity. However, research on the topic has provided conflicting findings. By generating more than 2000 system architectures, this paper shows that the relation between modularity and robustness is multifaceted: Modularity decreases topological robustness, increases robustness to change propagation, and provides economic benefits. Results here confirm the importance of modularity, enable reconciliation of opposing findings from prior research, and guides researchers and practitioners in the selection of appropriate robustness measures.",

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AU - Maier, A. M.

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Y1 - 2020/10/29

N2 - Increased system robustness is one of the promises of modularity. However, research on the topic has provided conflicting findings. By generating more than 2000 system architectures, this paper shows that the relation between modularity and robustness is multifaceted: Modularity decreases topological robustness, increases robustness to change propagation, and provides economic benefits. Results here confirm the importance of modularity, enable reconciliation of opposing findings from prior research, and guides researchers and practitioners in the selection of appropriate robustness measures.

AB - Increased system robustness is one of the promises of modularity. However, research on the topic has provided conflicting findings. By generating more than 2000 system architectures, this paper shows that the relation between modularity and robustness is multifaceted: Modularity decreases topological robustness, increases robustness to change propagation, and provides economic benefits. Results here confirm the importance of modularity, enable reconciliation of opposing findings from prior research, and guides researchers and practitioners in the selection of appropriate robustness measures.

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KW - robustness

KW - complex systems

KW - network approaches

KW - design structure matrix (DSM)

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JO - Proceedings of the Design Society Conference

JF - Proceedings of the Design Society Conference

Y2 - 26 October 2020 through 29 October 2020

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Modularity, robustness, and change propagation: a multifaceted relation

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Keywords

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