Engineering Design Process
updated: 8/30/2010
SENIOR DESIGN
PROJECT
ABET Definition of Engineering
Design
Engineering design is the process of devising a
system, component, or process to meet desired
needs. It is a decision-making process (often
iterative), in which the basic sciences,
mathematics, and engineering sciences are
applied to convert resources optimally to meet a
stated objective. Among the fundamental
elements of the design process are the
establishment of objectives and criteria,
synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and
evaluation. [ABET]
Achieving Excellent Project
• To achieve success in
executing engineering and
design projects, it takes an
understanding of the design
process, strong knowledge of
design tools, and professional
skills.
Success of Product:
Yesterday  Competing cost
Today  Quality
Tomorrow  Design
Engineering
• Engineer: One versed in the design,
construction, and use of machines
• Engineers use methodical application
of scientific knowledge and technology
– Math, science and Fundamental
technologies
Innovation + Methodical Application of Science
Effective Engineering/Design
Design Process
Prescriptive or Descriptive?
• Prescriptive process for problem identification and
requirements selection
– Formal, exact sequences are defined
– All aspects are clear
– Good for defined problems and solutions
Design Process
• Descriptive overview of the
design process
– Less formal
– Less emphasis on exact
sequencing
A typical design is
somewhere between
Descriptive and Prescriptive
Design Process
VLSI Design
• Divide-and-conquer approach
• The system is divided into subsystems
•
Specification
System
Architecture
Logic Design
Circuit Design
Layout
Embedded System Design Process
• Not everything is sequential
Requirements
Analysis
Specifications
System
Architecture
Software Design
 Application
 Operating System
 Compiler
Interface Design
 Software Drivers
 Hardware Drivers
Integration
and Test
Hardware Design
 Architecture
 Synthesis
 Compiler
Value of the Design Process
How much does it cost to correct problems
as process proceeds?
What happens after the initial designers are
left?
Cost to
implement
changes
Project lifetime
Course Objective
• Problem ID & customer needs
• Research/Problem Analysis
• Requirements Specification
The World-Class Engineer.
(Leonhard Center for the Advancement of
Engineering Education,
The Pennsylvania State University)
Strong technical
stills and
understanding of
the design process
Summary
• Engineering design is an iterative
process.
• Design problems are open-ended
with many potential solutions.
• Design processes represent best
practices for realizing a system.
• Design processes may be
prescriptive or descriptive.