What is Design Methodology?

Methods are merely technical rules, which lay down the procedures for how reliable and objective knowledge can be obtained.
Thus methods put down the procedures for constructing a hypothesis (methods of research enquiry), for designing a questionnaire, conducting an interview or doing participant observation (methods of data collection), for working out some statistical formulae or for using computer packages to analyse quantitative or qualitative data (methods of data analysis). If 'methods' are technical rules that define proper procedures, 'methodology' is the broad theoretical and philosophical framework into which these procedural rules fit. It is because these procedural rules reflect broader theoretical and philosophical ideas about the nature of knowledge, explanation and science that the research community gives them authority to endow knowledge as reliable and objective.

Components of Design Methodology

The key to Design Methodology is finding the best solution for each design situation, whether it be in industrial design, architecture or technology. Design Methodology stresses the use of brainstorming to encourage innovative ideas and collaborative thinking to work through each idea and arrive at the best solution. Meeting the needs and wants of the end user is the most critical concern. Design Methodology also employs basic research methods, such as analysis and testing.

Design Methodology in Technology

While Design Methodology is employed in many industries, it is commonly applied in technology fields, including those using the Internet, software and information systems development. Several Design Methodology approaches have developed in the technology industry. Each was a reaction to a different type of problem. Some common technology Design Methodologies include:

• Top Down Design or Stepwise Refinement: This starts from the end solution and works backwards, refining each step along the way.
• Bottom Up Design: This Design Methodology starts with a foundation and works up towards a solution.
• Structured Design: This is an industry standard. The technique starts by identifying inputs and desired outputs to create a graphical representation.
• Structured Analysis and Design Technique: This approach utilizes a diagram to describe the hierarchy of a system's functions.
• Data Structured Systems Development: Data structure determines the system structure in this Design Methodology.
• Object Oriented Design: This methodology is based on a system of interacting objects.