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A method of structure knowledge to achieve a single source of product definition that is readily applicable to large-scale system design and manufacture. Part roles are defined to represent common design elements as shared by distinct product views. These part roles are defined at a logical, more ab

A method of structure knowledge to achieve a single source of product definition that is readily applicable to large-scale system design and manufacture. Part roles are defined to represent common design elements as shared by distinct product views. These part roles are defined at a logical, more abstract level, with other mechanisms (including configuration variables of various kinds) serving to provide additional details that specify a particular final design. Design packages use these components to specify, in a single source, the definition of a product (requirements and design solutions) that will support various views for various needs and purposes.

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1. A method for structuring knowledge to thereby facilitate designing large-scale systems wherein the design is comprised of a large plurality of distinct product views which distinct product views are comprised of a plurality of design elements that define at least some aspect of a function of at l

1. A method for structuring knowledge to thereby facilitate designing large-scale systems wherein the design is comprised of a large plurality of distinct product views which distinct product views are comprised of a plurality of design elements that define at least some aspect of a function of at least one of a part and an assembly of parts, comprising:defining a plurality of part roles that each define a function of a part wherein at least some of the part roles each represent a plurality of common design elements as shared by a family of product artifacts and wherein each part role includes: a part role name that is at least partially a first generic description of corresponding design elements that are common with a family of the product artifacts; a role description comprising a short textual definition that corresponds to the part role; a type indicator that is a second generic description of the corresponding design elements, which second generic description is more generic than the first generic description; and a reference designator comprising an alphanumeric string unique to the corresponding part role; such that a resultant single source of product definition is substantially achieved. 2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising providing at least one graphic symbol for each of at least some of the plurality of part roles.3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising defining a plurality of part role logical interfaces that identify interfaces to part role behavior.4. The method of claim 3 wherein defining a plurality of part role logical interfaces includes defining a plurality of part role logical interfaces that identify at least one of an electrical interface, hydraulic interface, pneumatic interface, mechanical interface, and a physical interface.5. The method of claim 4 and further comprising defining a linking relationship between at least some of the part roles and some of the part role logical interfaces.6. The method of claim 1 and further comprising defining an assembly relationship between at least two part roles.7. The method of claim 1 and further comprising defining at least one design package comprising:a design package name that is at least partially a first generic description of a configuration of the design elements; and a configuration identifier comprising an alphanumeric string unique to the at least one design package. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein defining at least one design package includes designing a plurality of the design packages.9. The method of claim 7 and further comprising storing the at least one design package and the plurality of part roles.10. The method of claim 7 and further comprising defining a plurality of configuration variables that define a usage of the part roles in the design package.11. The method of claim 10 and further comprising storing at least some of the plurality of configuration variables.12. The method of claim 11 and further comprising defining a plurality of part role usages that define at least some performance requirements, installation requirements, and location requirements for a corresponding design package.13. The method of claim 7 and further comprising providing at least one view definition that corresponds to the at least one design package.14. The method of claim 10 wherein at least some of the part role usages do not include performance requirements.15. The method of claim 10 wherein at least some of the part role usages do not include installation requirements.16. The method of claim 10 wherein at least some of the part role usages do not include location requirements.17. The method of claim 1 and further comprising using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of differing product artifacts.18. The method of claim 17 wherein using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of differing product artifacts includes using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of product artifacts that differ from one another at least with respect to performance requirements.19. The method of claim 17 wherein using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of differing product artifacts includes using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of product artifacts that differ from one another at least with respect to installation requirements.20. The method of claim 17 wherein using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of differing product artifacts includes using the plurality of part roles when designing a large-scale system, such that at least some of the plurality of part roles each correspond to a plurality of product artifacts that differ from one another at least with respect to location requirements.21. The method of claim 1 and further comprising defining a design package as a solution to requirements that are at least partially defined by at least one other design package.22. The method of claim 1 and further comprising defining a connects to relationship between at least two part roles.