A planning methodology of systems technologies by a normatively developed morphological box

The paper proposes a planning methodology of systems technologies using a three-dimensional morphological box. The authors assume that the planning problem of systems technologies could be represented by three basic attributes, i.e. needs (system requirements), seeds (basic technologies) and systems technologies (system problems). They introduce a three-dimensional morphological box, whose axes are the above attributes, as a framework of planning activities. The constituent items of each axis are obtained from the recognition of societal and technological trends. The current and planned systems are arranged at the relevant position of the morphological box. By investigating each system embedded in the morphological box, systems technologies necessary to realize target systems are extracted. The planning process by the proposed method consists of three phases: (1) recognition of societal and technological issues and trends; (2) projection of these recognition on the axes of three-dimensional morphological box; and (3) investigation of the current and planned systems embedded in the morphological box. By the method, one can systematically plan new systems and systems technologies reflecting current societal and technological trends. The method has been applied to actual planning activities and new directions of system technologies have been proposed in the development of real practical systems. The effectiveness of the method has been confirmed through these applications.