Gaining insights through qualitative modelling - industrial project analysis with focus on derived hypotheses based on the contact and channel approach

In embodiment design, insights about the relations of the embodiment of a system to its behavior and functions are essential. These insights are gained through system analysis. For successful system analysis, the derivation of hypotheses for causes of system behavior is a crucial task. In this study, we investigate, how qualitative modelling can support this derivation of hypotheses. Modelling activities and derivation of hypotheses were investigated in ten engineering design projects as subsequent case studies by using the Grounded Theory approach. The projects were conducted by research institutes in cooperation with various industrial partners. In these projects, the Contact and Channel Approach was used for qualitative modelling.. Modelling activities conducted in these projects were identified, combined into concepts, cross-validated and summarized into nine categories assigned to three clusters. The first cluster is “modelling support” and contains the categories keep it simple, make it clear, explicate your mental model and shift the effort. The second cluster is “model verification” and contains the categories show me don’t tell me, link your models, combine your information and verify your parameters. The third cluster is “guidelines for hypotheses” and contains the category link your hypotheses. With the clusters, we propose an approach that can support the derivation of hypotheses from qualitative modelling. They present a basis for further research on supporting the derivation of hypotheses and can also be used directly as recommendations for action for hypothesis-driven qualitative modelling.