Documenting the Engineering
Design Process
Engineering Design and Development
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Engineering Design and Development is not just about
learning an engineering design process.
It is also about learning how to capture and document
that process.
The Engineering Notebook
• An Engineering Notebook contains all design work completed for a specific
design project. It is a chronological documentation of all tasks completed
during a design process, including correspondence, ideas, sketches,
journal entries related to design, calculations, photographs, class notes,
meeting notes, test procedures and data, and other critical information.
• In PLTW courses, students may use a single Engineering Notebook to
document design work for multiple projects. However, it is recommended
that each project have a separate designated section within the notebook
that includes pertinent information for that project only.
The Classroom Binder
• The course binder is used to store all course materials not included in
the engineering notebook such as activities, research, reference
materials, and handouts.
Portfolios
A Portfolio is a collection of documents selected by the student for a
particular purpose. Portfolios include student reflection. There are various
types of portfolios used for various purposes and the teacher may decide
which format is appropriate for use in his or her classroom.
Portfolios
A Project Portfolio is a collection of artifacts assembled to document the
design process of a single project. This may contain a duplication of some
content from the engineering notebook and course binder and is used to
showcase a student’s application of the design process. An example is the
Puzzle Cube Project in IED.
A Course Portfolio is a collection of selected work which demonstrates the
range and depth of experience and skills gained from an entire course.
A Longitudinal or Growth Portfolio shows growth from early to later work in
regard to specific skills and extent of mastery. Entries in a Longitudinal
Portfolio can span several years and courses.
A Showcase Portfolio shows best work targeting specific skills.
Electronic Portfolios
Connecting the original design work of students to
opportunities and the national STEM conversation
Documenting the Process
Process
Documentation
versus
Outcome
Documentation
versus
Recording and
documenting every
step of the journey…
Presenting your work
in a clear, coherent
fashion…
What happened and when?
–
–
–
–
Whose idea was it?
Who can corroborate?
What research was done?
What experts were consulted?
– Process Documentation can be your best evidence for
proving that an idea or discovery was yours and when
you had the idea.
– Outcome Documentation is the best way to
communicate your ideas and thought processes to
others.
“If it isn't written down, it didn't happen.“
Process Versus Outcome Documentation
Process Documentation
Engineering Notebook
– A book in which an engineer will
formally document, in
chronological order, all work that
is associated with a specific
design project.
– Best protection for the
development of intellectual
property.
every idea…
every research
link…
every interview…
…dates
…times
…places
Process Versus Outcome Documentation
Process Documentation
Digital Files
– Relevant digital files should inserted into the
engineering notebook.
– All digital files should be stored in a secure and
organized location.
– Digital files should be regularly backed up.
every idea…
every research
link…
Course Binder “Everything Else”
– Everything else that has been printed, copied, or is
a hard copy should go into an organized three ring
binder.
– Class notes and material not specific to your EDD
project can also be organized in the three ring
binder.
every interview…
…dates
…times
…places
Process Versus Outcome Documentation
Outcome Documentation
• Mostly derived from the work and documentation of the
process documentation
• The format and components of the outcome
documentation are dependent on the audience
–
–
–
–
–
Your peers?
A panel of reviewers?
Investors?
Trade journal article?
Customers?
“Tell me how you got from A to Z,
how you made decisions along
the way, and what you have
learned…”
Microsoft Clipart
Process Versus Outcome Documentation
Outcome Documentation
Common elements of most outcome documentation
– The problem and the solution
– Sketches and technical drawings
– Models / prototypes
– Research
• Specific to the problem and design
• Market research
– Test procedures and data
– Expert input
Process Versus Outcome Documentation
Outcome Documentation
Common forms of outcome documentation
– Project portfolio
– Trade journal article
– Website
– Trade show
– Formal/juried presentation
– Three panel display
– Research paper
– Innovation Portal
Microsoft Clipart
Note: Combinations of the above and others also are used.
Documenting the Process
• Why Document?
• Process versus Outcome Documentation
Questions or Comments?
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
iStockphoto. Retrieved from
http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php