Process Models in Design and Development
Read this article. It provides an overview of planning models. Pay particular attention to Figure 1 as it visually provides a global view of planning models. Then review Figures 2 -17 for more in-depth visual planning processes.
Micro-level models
Summary
Overall, micro-level abstract models highlight the iterative nature of designing and the need to respond to new information generated or revealed during that process. Such models provide theories and descriptions of design cognition, linking design activity to details of the emerging design and to knowledge and information about it. Most of these models and theories are based on first-principles reasoning and the supporting publications often do not emphasise an empirical basis or real-world validation. Nevertheless, some have received fairly wide interest and have been found to provide useful insight for real-world situations. According to Reich, "each theory provides one perspective, broad, or limited, that may improve design understanding and practice". For further discussion of work in this category, the reader is referred to Eder and Weber, Le Masson et al., and Chakrabarti and Blessing.