Agile project management and emerging technologies in concurrent engineering for sustainable and collaborative product design
Abstract
Designing sustainable and innovative products today requires more than just good ideas as it demands speed, flexibility, teamwork, and smart use of technology. This study used a systematic review approach guided by PRISMA to examine how Agile project management and emerging technologies enhance concurrent engineering for sustainable and collaborative product design. Literature was sourced from five major databases using targeted search terms. After a rigorous three-phase screening and quality appraisal, relevant studies were thematically synthesized around Agile, AI, automation, cloud platforms, ethics, circular economy, and composite manufacturing. The result showed that revealed that integrating Agile project management into concurrent engineering enhances flexibility, collaboration, and design responsiveness. Design automation and AI tools improve accuracy and decision-making, while cloud-based platforms strengthen real-time teamwork. Generative design supports creativity and rapid iteration. Ethical concerns like transparency and inclusivity emerged as essential. Circular economy strategies help reduce waste and extend product life. In composite manufacturing, concurrent engineering and group design improve material efficiency, product quality, and speed, demonstrating strong potential for sustainable innovation. The findings suggest that integrating Agile practices with emerging technologies creates a powerful framework for building smarter, greener, and more collaborative products now and in the future.
References
Abrishami, S., Goulding, J., & Rahimian, F. (2021). Generative BIM workspace for AEC conceptual design automation: Prototype development. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(2), 482-509.
Adeyeye, O. J., & Akanbi, I. (2024). Artificial intelligence for systems engineering complexity: a review on the use of AI and machine learning algorithms. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(4), 787-808.
Álvarez, J. M., & Roibás-Millán, E. (2021). Agile methodologies applied to Integrated Concurrent Engineering for spacecraft design. Research in Engineering Design, 32(4), 431-450.
Andersson, M. (2022). Paradox of the daily stand-up meetings in agile software development context (Bachelor's thesis, M. Andersson).
Badran, S. S., & Abdallah, A. B. (2025). Lean vs agile project management in construction: impacts on project performance outcomes. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(5), 2844-2869.
Böhmer, A. I., Hugger, P., & Lindemann, U. (2017, June). Scrum within hardware development insights of the application of scrum for the development of a passive exoskeleton. In 2017 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC) (pp. 790-798). IEEE.
Callari, T. C., Segate, R. V., Hubbard, E. M., Daly, A., & Lohse, N. (2024). An ethical framework for human-robot collaboration for the future people-centric manufacturing: A collaborative endeavour with European subject-matter experts in ethics. Technology in Society, 78, 102680.
Castricum, B. A., Fagerström, M., Ekh, M., Larsson, F., & Mirkhalaf, S. M. (2022). A computationally efficient coupled multi-scale model for short fiber reinforced composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 163, 107233.
Chen, Z., Liu, F., Zhu, X., Qi, Y., & Ghavamzadeh, M. (2025). Preference Optimization via Contrastive Divergence: Your Reward Model is Secretly an NLL Estimator. arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.04567.
Chukwunweike, J., & Aro, O. (2024). Implementing agile management practices in the era of digital transformation. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 24(1).
Cociancig, C., Heuer, H., & Breiter, A. (2024). AI ethics unwrapped: an empirical investigation of ethical principles in collaborative ideation processes. AI and Ethics, 1-14.
Conforto, E. C., & Amaral, D. C. (2016). Agile project management and stage-gate model—A hybrid framework for technology-based companies. Journal of engineering and technology management, 40, 1-14.
Cooper, R. G., & Sommer, A. F. (2018). Agile–Stage-Gate for Manufacturers: Changing the Way New Products Are Developed Integrating Agile project management methods into a Stage-Gate system offers both opportunities and challenges. Research-Technology Management, 61(2), 17-26.
Cuperman, D., Verner, I., & Rosen, U. (2024, March). Education for Industry 4.0: Introducing Engineering Students to Cloud-Based Collaborative Design. In International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (pp. 226-233). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Cura, K. (2016). Lahti Cleantech Annual Review 2016.
Dikert, K., Paasivaara, M., & Lassenius, C. (2016). Challenges and success factors for large-scale agile transformations: A systematic literature review. Journal of Systems and Software, 119, 87-108.
Ding, S., Chen, X., Fang, Y., Liu, W., Qiu, Y., & Chai, C. (2023, December). Designgpt: Multi-agent collaboration in design. In 2023 16th International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Design (ISCID) (pp. 204-208). IEEE.
Eidenskog, M., Leifler, O., Sefyrin, J., Johnson, E., & Asplund, M. (2023). Changing the world one engineer at a time–unmaking the traditional engineering education when introducing sustainability subjects. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(9), 70-84.
Fascio, V. N., Azran, A., & Laine, B. (2025). Composite parts designed for tailored fiber placement technology and the related manufacturing processes. In Advanced Structural Textile Composites Forming (pp. 553-575). Woodhead Publishing.
Flores-Lara, J. C., El Fadel, M., & Khalfan, M. M. A. (2025). Integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy in the UAE construction sector: a policy-aligned framework. Built Environment Project and Asset Management.
Gasparri, E., Arasteh, S., Kuru, A., Stracchi, P., & Brambilla, A. (2023). Circular economy in construction: A systematic review of knowledge gaps towards a novel research framework. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9, 1239757.
Ginga, C. P., Ongpeng, J. M. C., & Daly, M. K. M. (2020). Circular economy on construction and demolition waste: A literature review on material recovery and production. Materials, 13(13), 2970.
Hamad, Q. Z., & Sabir, R. A. (2023). The Impact Of Concurrent Engineering (CE) Technique On Improve Value Of Product. Webology, 20(3).
He, Z., Wang, Y. H., & Zhang, J. (2025). Generative AIBIM: An automatic and intelligent structural design pipeline integrating BIM and generative AI. Information Fusion, 114, 102654.
Ho, T. N. T., Nguyen, S. H., Le, V. T., & Hoang, T. D. (2024). Coupling design and fabrication of continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite structures using two-material topology optimization and additive manufacturing. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 130(9), 4277-4293.
Hsu, Y. C. (2021). An action research in critical thinking concept designed curriculum based on collaborative learning for engineering ethics course. Sustainability, 13(5), 2621.
Hughes, D. (2023). Materials waste reduction. Design and Manufacture of Structural Composites, 475-497.
Humfeld, K. D., Gu, D., Butler, G. A., Nelson, K., & Zobeiry, N. (2021). A machine learning framework for real-time inverse modeling and multi-objective process optimization of composites for active manufacturing control. Composites Part B: Engineering, 223, 109150.
Ihueze C. C, Okafor, C. E., Obuka S. N., Abdulrahman J. and Onwurah U. O. (2021). Integrity and cost evaluation of natural fibers/HDPE composite tailored for piping applications. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials. 36(1), 1–27.
Ihueze C. C., Onwurah U. O., Okafor C. E., Obuka N. S., Okpala C. C., Okoli N. C., Nwankwo C. O, and Kingsley‑Omoyibo Q. O (2023). Robust design and setting process and material parameters for electrical cable insulation. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 126(9), 3887-3904.
Ihueze, C. C., Celestine, O. N., Onwurah, U. O., Okafor, C. E., & Kingsley-Omoyibo, Q. A. (2024). Intelligent assessment of quality characteristics of miscanthus fiber-reinforced polypropylene for sustainable products development. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 238(6), 2950-2963.
Ihueze, C. C., Okafor, C. E., & Obende E. O. (2024). Robust design and intelligent modelling of organic-based composites for armoury applications. SN Computer Science, SPRINGER. (2024) 5:832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-024-03199-0.
Ihueze, C., Obiafudo, O., & Okafor, C. E. (2016). Characterization of plantain fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composite for application in design of auto body fenders. Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering and Sciences, 4(5), 574-587.
Jiang, S., Xie, M., Chen, F. Y., Ma, J., & Luo, J. (2025). Intelligent Design 4.0: Paradigm Evolution Toward the Agentic AI Era. arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.09755.
Ko, J., Ajibefun, J., & Yan, W. (2023). Experiments on Generative AI-powered parametric modeling and BIM for architectural design. arXiv preprint arXiv:2308.00227.
Kukwi, T., Shan, C., Pengfei, L., Zhang, B., Leiyang, G., & Wang, Z. (2025). Continuous Improvement in Composite Manufacturing: A Review of Automated Fiber Placement Process Evolution and Future Research Prospects. Applied Composite Materials, 1-48.
Li, K. Y., Huang, C. K., Chen, Q. W., Zhang, H. C., & Tang, T. T. (2025). Generative AI and CAD automation for diverse and novel mechanical component designs under data constraints. Discover Applied Sciences, 7(4), 1-21.
Liang, C. J., Le, T. H., Ham, Y., Mantha, B. R., Cheng, M. H., & Lin, J. J. (2024). Ethics of artificial intelligence and robotics in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Automation in Construction, 162, 105369.
Lim, K., Eom, S., Kim, D., & Oh, M. (2020). Understanding Gender Differences in Students’ Perceptions of Competency Certification for Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education. Sustainability, 12(19), 8233.
Lu, Q., Zhu, L., Xu, X., Whittle, J., Zowghi, D., & Jacquet, A. (2024). Responsible ai pattern catalogue: A collection of best practices for ai governance and engineering. ACM Computing Surveys, 56(7), 1-35.
Marion, T., Olechowksi, A., & Guo, J. (2021). An analytical framework for collaborative cloud-based CAD platform affordances. Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 375-384.
Mishra, D., Muduli, K., Raut, R., Narkhede, B. E., Shee, H., & Jana, S. K. (2023). Challenges facing artificial intelligence adoption during COVID-19 pandemic: an investigation into the agriculture and agri-food supply chain in India. Sustainability, 15(8), 6377.
Okafor C. E, Iweriolor S., Ani O. I, Nürettin A, Ekwueme G. O, Ugwu P. C, Nwanna E. C and Onovo A. C (2023). Biobased hybrid composite design for optimum hardness and wear resistance. Composites Part C: Open Access, 10, 100338.
Okafor C. E., Okpe D. U, Ani O. I, Okonkwo U. C (2022). Development of carbonized wood/silicon dioxide composite tailored for single-density shoe sole manufacturing. Materials Today Communications. 32, 104184,
Okafor, C. E., & Metu, C. S. (2019). Theoretical fatigue response of plantain fiber based composites in structural applications. In Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems: Innovations, Mechanics and Applications (pp. 638-643). CRC Press.
Okafor, C. E., Ekwueme, G. O., Okoye, C. N., & Madumere, A. U., Odeh C.P (2025). Framework For Optimizing the Design of Reinforced Composite Products to Achieve Environmental Sustainability. Green Engineering: International Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 2(1), 01-25.
Okafor, C. E., Onovo, A. C., Imoisili, P. E, Kulkarni K. M., and Ihueze C. C (2021). Optimal route to robust hybridization of banana-coir fiber particulate in polymer matrix for automotive applications. Materialia 16, 101098,
Ondrusch, N., & Quandt, V. (2025). AI Education: Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Ethical and User-Centred AI Development. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 262-276). Springer, Cham.
Onshape. (2025). Onshape [Software]. Retrieved from https://www.onshape.com/en/
Othman, A. A. E., & Ali, M. S. (2024). Managing Design Changes Through Integrating Concurrent Engineering into the Architectural Design Process. International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa, 70, 117-140.
Rodríguez-Espíndola, O., Cuevas-Romo, A., Chowdhury, S., Díaz-Acevedo, N., Albores, P., Despoudi, S., Malesios, C. and Dey, P., (2022). The role of circular economy principles and sustainable-oriented innovation to enhance social, economic and environmental performance: Evidence from Mexican SMEs. International Journal of Production Economics, 248, 108495.
Santoso, J. T., Raharjo, B., & Wibowo, M. C. (2025). Agile Project Management Practice to Support Project Management Success. Quality-Access to Success, 26(4).
Schwartz, Y., Raslan, R., Korolija, I., & Mumovic, D. (2021). A decision support tool for building design: An integrated generative design, optimisation and life cycle performance approach. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 19(3), 401-430.
Serrador, P., & Pinto, J. K. (2015). Does Agile work?—A quantitative analysis of agile project success. International journal of project management, 33(5), 1040-1051.
Shaer, O., Cooper, A., Mokryn, O., Kun, A. L., & Ben Shoshan, H. (2024, May). AI-Augmented Brainwriting: Investigating the use of LLMs in group ideation. In Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-17).
Simões, S. (2024). High-performance advanced composites in multifunctional material design: state of the art, challenges, and future directions. Materials, 17(23), 5997.
Spreafico, C. (2022). An analysis of design strategies for circular economy through life cycle assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(3), 180.
Umbrello, S. (2020). Imaginative value sensitive design: Using moral imagination theory to inform responsible technology design. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(2), 575-595.
Xu, Q., Zhou, G., Zhang, C., Chang, F., Cao, Y., & Zhao, D. (2023). Generative AI and digital twin integrated intelligent process planning: a conceptual framework.
Yildirim, E. (2023). Comparative analysis of Leonardo ai, Midjourney, and Dall-e: ai's perspective on future cities. URBANIZM: Journal of Urban Planning & Sustainable Development, (28).
Zayat, W., & Senvar, O. (2020). Framework study for agile software development via scrum and Kanban. International journal of innovation and technology management, 17(04), 2030002.
Zhang, G., Wang, Y., Chen, Z., Xu, X., Dong, K., & Xiong, Y. (2023). Robot-assisted conformal additive manufacturing for continuous fibre-reinforced grid-stiffened shell structures. Virtual and Physical Prototyping, 18(1), e2203695.
