This study presents a new model for collaborative design that is analogous to electrical circuits with current (rate of design artifact synthesis and analysis), voltage (knowledge that drives the design process), and resistance (barriers to the exchange of design information). An electric analogy is used to capture the flow of information throughout the design process, it maps well to existing models of collaboration, and it provides a mechanism to capture resistances to flow. Specifically, the resistances are identified from a collaborative design taxonomy. Currently, these resistances are qualitatively captured based upon empirical evidence, but they may in the future be calibrated with additional experimental investigations. The model is illustrated through a simple example. Extensions and an assessment of the model are provided.
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