USING THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
Phases One through Seven
The Engineering Design Process outlines the steps necessary in solving any
type of problem or designing a product. It is not a linear process. Successful
design and problem solving requires going back and forth between the six main
steps.
This is called open-ended design process because when you start to solve a
problem, you don't know what the best solution will be to meet the
requirements. The process is cyclical or iterative and may begin at, and return
to, any step.
Define the
Problem and
Opportunities
Communicate
Final Design
Criteria and
Constraints
Investigate
and Research
Test and
Evaluate
Brainstorming
Prototyping
Phase 1: Define the Problem and Opportunities (understanding the
need)
This step begins by asking : what is the problem-what do we need? Who is the
customer?
Find out more about the problem by “listening” to what the customer wants.
Carefully review what you are being told about the problem to be solved and
then make a clear problem and opportunity statement for your internship report.
Phase 2: Criteria and Constraints
Be clear about what the customer needs you to accomplish (Criteria)? What are
the limitations (Constraints)? Who is the customer? What is the goal?.
Phase 3: Investigate and Research
Through Internet research, reviewing standards, user demographics, user
interviews (if possible) and other techniques (idea web, reverse engineering),
students further develop the context for their design challenge.
Phase 4: Brainstorming Teamwork is one of the two key themes in the
design process and is an essential skill in the brainstorming phase.. Coming up
with possible solutions require brainstorming. Be creative, and use methods to
promote creative thinking (such as sketching, mind mapping). When possible
engage with others as part of the brainstorming process .
Students need to learn to work together, listening to and respecting all ideas in
the brainstorming session, reserving any judgment until a decision is made?
Even then, make the decision-making process as democratic as possible, with
all opinions being heard.
Brainstorm different designs: Imagine and brainstorm ideas. Be creative;
build upon the wild and crazy ideas of others. Explore, compare and analyze
many possible solutions.
How will it work? What environmental and cultural considerations will you
evaluate? What analyses must you do?
Based on the your work in Phases 1-3 select the most promising idea that you
can execute and complete.
Phase 5: This step is called Prototyping. The use of prototypes, helps move
the design process forward by improving the student’s understanding of the
problem, identifying missing requirements, evaluating design objectives and
product features, and getting feedback. Essentially, build the design so it can be
tested and improved.
Phase 6: Test and Evaluate: In this step, you need to evaluate the results
from testing the model. You will see elements of your design that you will want
to change. There is no perfect design. Depending on your time and resources
you will want to go back and improve your design. You cannot start all over, so
actively manage your improvements. Prioritize based on what will be the most
important improvements for your customer and user. Be sure to test your
improvements. While testing use your internship report and the criteria and
constraints as a guide.
Push for creativity, imagination and excellence in design. Does it work?
Analyze and talk with someone else about what works, what doesn't and what
could be improved. Bravely make revisions so your design and product can be
the best it can be.
Just remember “There is no perfect design. “
Step 7: Communicate Final Design After your design has gone through
multiple cycles of modeling, testing, and improving, it is ready for final handoff. Communication of the final design may be done through presentation to
peers, customers, and to the public. If necessary, you may also need to prepare
documentations such as assembly instructions, operation and maintenance
information, and technical drawings.
Ask yourself these questions.
1) What did I do to help my customer and others?
2) What could I have done to make my product better?
3) What did I do to improve myself?