Which is NOT a benefit of using models in the design process?

Using models in the design process greatly enhances various aspects of engineering and design practice. One of the significant benefits is knowledge retention, as models can encapsulate design decisions, data, and insights, ensuring that valuable information is not lost over time. This allows teams to revisit earlier models and learn from past design efforts.

Additionally, models facilitate collaboration among team members by providing a tangible representation of ideas and concepts that can be discussed, revised, and improved upon. This shared reference allows for better alignment and understanding of objectives among diverse team members including engineers, designers, and stakeholders. Improved communication is another core advantage of using models, as they serve as visual aids that convey complex information in an accessible manner, making it easier for all participants to grasp the design intent.

The choice indicating increased complexity stands out as the correct answer because while models can indeed be intricate, the intention behind creating a model is typically to simplify and clarify organizational elements of design, rather than to complicate them. Therefore, increased complexity is not a benefit but rather a potential drawback of poorly designed models.