The main objective of this paper is the investigation of possibilities to enhance the resilience and sustainability of technical systems by means of function-oriented system design. Design for Resilience aims at creating technical systems capable of withstanding and adapting to internal and external changes. Design for Sustainability has the objective to create solutions that meet present needs without compromising future generations, for instance by means of avoiding environmental destruction, improving resource efficiency, and achieving a long-term ecological balance. Function-oriented design is the most abstract form of solution generation. This paper presents arguments to verify the hypothesis that function-oriented system design is a prerequisite for both Design for Resilience and Design for Sustainability, discusses connections between both aspects, and proposes a common process.
