The Design Structure Matrix (DSM)

A Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is a compact, matrix representation of a system/project. The matrix contains a list of all constituent subsystems/activities and the corresponding information exchange and dependency patterns. That is, what information pieces (parameters) are required to start a certain activity and where does the information generated by the activity feed into (i.e. which other tasks within the matrix utilize the output information). kcThe DSM provides insights about how to manage a complex system/project and highlights issues of information needs and requirements, task sequencing, and iterations.

DSM is a System Analysis tool: provides a compact and clear representation of a complex system and a capture method for the interactions/interdependencies/interfaces between system elements (i.e. sub-systems and modules). DSM is a Project Management tool: provides a project representation that allows for feedback and cyclic task dependencies. This is extremely important since most engineering applications exhibit such a cyclic property. This DSM project representation results in an improved and more realistic execution schedule for the corresponding design activities.

The Design Structure Matrix (DSM) is also known as: The Dependency Structure Matrix; The Problem Solving Matrix; and the Design Precedence Matrix.