Module Based Design
Method of design where machines are broken into independent modules - and even the modules are broken down into further components. This allows for parallel design and builds. The key to effective collaborative design is defining a clear interface between modules so they fit together into a complete machine.
Developers document all work as links in the Development Spreadsheet, such that the overall documentation platform becomes a one-stop-shop for finding all past work. Each machine or module typically goes through several prototype iterations. Finding the vast amount of past work is critical. With our platform, it takes 3 clicks from Machine (50)-> Module (12) -> Development Spreadsheet (100) to access any of the 150,000 items (over 3 prototypes) that will be necessary to complete the entire GVCS. In order to make collaborative development by a large, diverse, community possible – the key is making the information easy to access: by providing excellent information architecture – and by making information bite-sized.