- Functional Analysis
Functional Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The concept of functional analysis was first developed by
Lawrence D. Miles to address difficulties in satisfying the
requirement to meet shortages of manufactured parts and electrical
components which were in high demand during World War II. His
concept of functional analysis was further developed in the 1960s
by Charles W. Bytheway, a design Engineer. Bytheway introduced the
methodology called Function Analysis Systems Technique (FAST)
whilst extending Miles's functional analysis concepts.
In designing, developing and proving any project, the mission
and consequent functions that the project shall perform shall be
clearly established. This functionality shall be distributed
throughout the different design levels (e.g. systems, subsystems,
units). The allocation of the unit functions in a systematic manner
is an important step in establishing a design which meets all the
project objectives (Woodhead & Downs, 2001).
Whatever approach one uses, functional analysis can generally be
represented as shown in figure 2. The function, "Generate more
revenue" represents the reason for doing the project. The top level
functions are the dependent functions and are further partitioned
into some number of functions; i.e. when all of the first level
functions are completed, the project is completed. Because a
function tree is based on the project requirement, functional
requirements, and already defined functions, all functions must
satisfy a customer's requirement and shall be distinguished from
those required to satisfy a requirement generated by the selected
functional solutions.
For any function which does not possess these characteristics,
we partition into a set of necessary and sufficient function at the
next level down. This is a good way to introduce standardization
into system development methodology.
