Funktionsteknik

Funktionsteknik, or function technique, is a methodical approach used in engineering, product development, and systems design to understand, model, and optimize how a system fulfills its intended purposes. The central idea is to describe a system in terms of its functions—the tasks it must perform and the performance criteria those tasks require—before determining specific technical solutions. By focusing on what the system must do rather than how it is built, funktionsteknik aims to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary complexity, and guide early design choices.

Core concepts include functional decomposition, where a system is broken down into a hierarchy of functions; functional modeling using structures such as function trees or function blocks; and function allocation, which assigns functions to components or processes. Tools commonly used in this approach include FAST (Function Analysis System Technique) and other functional modeling methods, along with deriving functional requirements and clear interfaces. Outputs typically include a functional description, a function structure (often referred to as a Funktionsstruktur in related literature), and a set of measurable criteria linking inputs to outputs.

Applications span mechanical and electrical systems, automation, consumer products, and service design, where funktionsteknik helps improve reliability, usability, and interoperability while supporting cost- and risk-aware decision making. The approach is usually integrated into broader systems engineering and quality management practices.

Historically, funktionsteknik developed in the mid to late 20th century as engineers sought systematic methods to capture function-based thinking and connect user needs with technical solutions. It intersects with requirements engineering, reliability engineering, and ergonomics, and is taught in many engineering programs as a foundational design tool.

Limitations include the risk of neglecting non-functional aspects such as aesthetics, ethics, or regulatory constraints if these are not explicitly included; ongoing updates are often needed as systems evolve. See also systems engineering, function analysis, and functional design.