Design Technology

Design technology, or D.T., is the study, design, development, application, implementation, support and management of computer and non-computer based technologies for the express purpose of communicating, using various mediums, product design intent and constructability as well as to facilitate product operation and maintenance and to ultimately improve overall product design realization, construction, operation and maintenance.

At times there is cross-over between D.T. and Information Technology, however, whereas I.T. is primarily focused on overall network infrastructure, hardware & software requirements, and implementation, D.T. is specifically focused on supporting, maintaining and training design and engineering applications and tools and working closely with I.T. to provide necessary infrastructure, for the most effective use of these applications and tools.

Within the building design, construction and maintenance industry (also known as AEC/O/FM), the product is the building and the role of D.T., is the effective application of technologies within all phases and aspects of building process. So though D.T. encompasses Building Information Modelling, B.I.M,. and Integrated Project Delivery, I.P.D., it is more overarching in its directive and scope and likewise looks for ways to leverage and more effectively utilize C.A.D., Virtual Design & Construction, V.D.C., as well as historical and legacy data and systems.

Furthermore, D.T. is not just limited to the building design, construction and maintenance industry, but is also applicable to industrial and product design and the manufacturing and fabrication processes therein.

Though not directly related there are also formal courses of study in some countries known as design and technology that focus on particular areas. In this case the above definition still remains valid, if for instance you take the subject textiles technology and replace product in the above definition with textile.