The Design of Design: Essays from a Computer Scientist

16. Representing Designs’ Trajectories and Rationales

Portion of a Compendium chart for Brooks House Wing designSharif Razzaque

In collaboration with Sharif Razzaque

There are many ways of making a fool of yourself with a digital computer, and to have one more can hardly make any difference.

SIR MAURICE WILKES [1959], “THE EDSAC”

Be careful how you fix what you don’t understand.

Introduction

For designers to get the most learning from each design experience, they need to document how it evolves: not only the whats of the design, but also the whys by which it was reached. Moreover, such a rationale document is a priceless aid to system maintainers; ...