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THE MORPHOLOGICAL METHOD

This approach is attributed to Zwicky. The method hinges around a morphological chart or design

matrix (table) and really only caters for the stages of presenting and evaluating the alternative ideas.

To use the matrix for this purpose it is of prime importance that the designer has carefully established

his specification; to employ the morphological matrix without first doing so could result in obvious

chaos. The morphological approach derives its name from the dictionary definition: "pertaining to the

study of an organized system or form".

The matrix comprises a single left-hand column in which are listed the parameters essential to the

design, i.e. what the design must be, or must have. To the right of each element in the column is a

row containing the possible ways of achieving that particular parameter. The morphological method is

principally concerned with the speculation step in the process.

To illustrate the use of the morphological matrix, consider the design of a forklift truck for use in a

warehouse. The design parameters resulting from the specification would include:

i. means of support which allow movement across the floorii. means of steering the vehicleiii. means of stoppingiv. propulsionv. power unitvi. power transmissionvii. lifting mechanismviii. facilities for operator

A morphological chart showing these parameters and some possible ways of satisfying them is shown

in Figure 1.

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If every solution on each row is compatible with all the solutions on the other rows the number of

possible solutions to the system is a multiple of all the ideas on the rows, the possibilities would be

enormous. Clearly many of the alternatives are not compatible, e.g. an air cushion vehicle could not

be steered by its wheels if it had none.

In the example of the forklift truck some of the alternatives along a row may be combined to give a

single solution, e.g. hydraulic transmission maybe used for the lifting mechanism whereas the drive to

the wheels might be in the form of shafts and gears. It can be seen that transmission may have been

divided into lift and motive; any morphological chart may be subdivided to cover all aspects of the

problem. The coarseness of the division is decided by experience. This example illustrates the

problems which may arise if the specification stage is ignored. By formulating a specification it would

have been shown that steering by rails is unacceptable for a general purpose forklift vehicle. Similar

arguments can be applied to some of the other solutions suggested.

In the example the forklift truck the truck was required to perform various functions, which were

listed as design parameters. An alternative is to consider the properties required of the design.

Consider a tool for tilling the soil; it will not be described as a spade as this suggests a particular

solution-to the problem. The parameters may now be divided into functions-and properties. The only

function is that it should employ manual effort and result in the ground being broken up:

i. breaking up the groundThe properties required are:

ii. light to useiii. ease of stowageiv. corrosion resistancev. simple to maintain etc.

Each of these parameters can be listed on a morphological chart as in Figure 2. Even for the small fieldin Figure 2, the number of combinations are large.

Even when consider a familiar object like a "beer bottle" it is possible to use the morphological

method to produce many of the forms in existence and to some completely new ones, Figure 3. The

method generates a large number of alternatives, it still remains to the designer to sort out which

alternative to pursue.

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Selecting one alternative from each attribute we can difine both old and new configurations.

The standard "stubby" is:short, 12 oz., brown, smooth, cap.

A completely new configuration is:curved, 6 oz., crystal, etched, pull top.

Many more interesting and alternative configurations can be derived from this chart.