Influence of Different Representation of Requirements on Idea Generation: An Experimental Study

This study examines how different requirement representations influence conceptual design outcomes. Using two design problems and three requirement formats—embedded statements, traditional lists, and contextualized scrum stories—an experiment with 52 senior mechanical engineering students revealed that contextualized scrum stories improved novelty and requirement addressment in sketches, though they had little effect on sketch detail, variety, or quantity. Findings highlight that representation style can shape early design creativity and problem framing.