Final answer:
The claim that subproblems are of equal importance when decomposing a complex problem is false. Subproblems may vary in importance, allowing design teams to resolve manageable components of a larger problem efficiently.
Step-by-step explanation:
When decomposing a design problem into subproblems, each subproblem does not necessarily have the same level of importance or contribute equally to the resolution of the overarching issue.
In practice, some subproblems could be more critical to solve than others due to their potential impact on the overall problem, constraints, resource availability, or the goals of the stakeholder. The correct statement could be: Subproblems may vary in importance and are identified to simplify the complexity of solving the overall problem by addressing smaller, more manageable components.
The decomposition of complex problems into subproblems allows a design team to tackle each element methodically. In this approach, subproblems are often of differing importance and may require varied approaches for resolution. The design team can then search externally for ideas to resolve these subproblems, drawing from a multitude of sources, including previous designs, experts' knowledge, and technical databases.