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12.8 Function List 205
In “Design Methodology,” it is needed to take competitive product function
integration result as the framework and blueprint on the basis of considering the
core value of the product and acquiring the basic structure of the product, and in
combination of the functions acquired from the nodes such as original demand,
analysis on stakeholder, analysis on target users, scenario analysis, to form the
product function list.

12.8.2 The General Process of Function List

Generally speaking, the output of the function list contains the following
procedures:
(1) Reinspect the original demand and sort out the preliminary list
(2) Expand the optional schemes and conduct self-inspection to function list
(3) Make clear the core functions and classify and sort out functions
(4) Conduct screening on function list and rank for function priority
(5) Supplement function description and check on function list

The above procedures can be divided into function integration and function list
manufacture:

(1) Function integration is conducted in order to maximize the optional schemes,
and it is necessary for the designers to think about the type of functions, the
origin of them, and the arrangement structure of them;
(2) Function list manufacture is the procedure for the determination of the final
solution, and it is necessary for designers to think of what functions shall be
reserved, and what functions are important, and whether the functions are
clearly described, etc.

For the final function list, the following procedures could be followed to finish
the function list worksheet in Table 12.11.

(1) Step 1: Trim functions. Function classification is to classify all the functions of
a product, clarifying the function modules, eliminating or correcting the
unnecessary functions, etc.
(2) Step 2: Mark the level of importance. The level of importance for the product
functions can be divided into four categories: necessary, suggested, better
with, and not suggested. Evaluate the design satisfaction level of the product
based on the review of original needs and analyses of stakeholders, com-
petitors, and scenarios. Assume the first version of WhatsApp is to be
developed, the necessary functions include registration (bound to phone
numbers), dialogue, communication by phones while the suggested functions
include portrait, iCloud backup, broadcast, groups, message-receiving
confirmation.