Design Process
Engineering Design and Development
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The Engineering Design Process
What is Design?
What is an Engineering Design Process?
Design Process Example
The Engineering Design Process
What is Design?
The word “design” is often used as a generic term that refers to
anything that was made by a conscious human effort.
Design is also a process that is used to systematically solve
problems.
Definition of DESIGN
transitive verb
1: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan
: DEVISE, CONTRIVE
2 a : to conceive and plan out in the mind <he designed the perfect crime>
b : to have as a purpose : INTEND <she designed to excel in her studies>
c : to devise for a specific function or end <a book designed primarily as a college textbook>
3 archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4 a : to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of
b : to draw the plans for <design a building>
Merriam Webster - Online Dictionary. Springfield, MA: 2012.
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/design>.
©iStockphoto.com
The Engineering Design Process
What is an Engineering Design Process?
A design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy, with
criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible
solutions to solve or satisfy human needs or wants and to
narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice.
Images courtesy of NASA
The Engineering Design Process
Design Process Examples
1. Identify problems and opportunities
2. Frame a design brief
3. Investigate and research
4. Generate alternative solutions
5. Choose a solution
6. Developmental work
7. Model and prototype
8. Test and evaluate
9. Redesign and improve
Design and Problem Solving in Technology
The Engineering Design Process
Design Process Examples
1. Identify the need
2. Define the criteria
3. Explore/research/investigate
4. Generate alternate solutions
5. Choose a solution
6. Develop the solution
7. Model/prototype
8. Test and evaluate
9. Redesign and improve
Engineering Drawing and Design (3rd edition)
An Engineering Design Process
Engineering Design Process
1. Define and Justify Problem
2. Generate Multiple Solutions
3. Select and Develop Solution
4. Construct and Test Prototype
5. Reflect and Evaluate
6. Present Results
PLTW - Engineering Design & Development
An Engineering Design Process
Research
1. Define and Justify a Problem
• Brainstorm possible project problems.
• Research and select a valid problem.
• Become an expert on the problem.
• Justify the problem through research.
• Academic
• Market
• Write a problem statement.
• Document and analyze prior solutions.
• Identify design requirements.
• Create a Project Proposal.
An Engineering Design Process
Design
2. Generate and Defend Solution Concepts
• Identify and apply the principles and practices associated with
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
• Generate multiple solution concepts.
• Make a data driven decision selecting the most viable design.
An Engineering Design Process
Design
3. Develop a Testable Solution Design
• Once a solution path is chosen • Generate and finalize
drawings/schematics.
• Identify materials, tools, and skills
needed to create the prototype.
• Seek expert fabrication support if
needed.
• Validate you proposed solution
through a Preliminary Design Review
An Engineering Design Process
Prototype and Test
4. Develop Testing Plan and Construct Prototype
• You may need to incrementally test
features of your design as you build.
• Develop testing procedures and a
data collection plan.
• Qualitative – Does our design solve the
problem?
• Quantitative – Does our design operate
in the parameters we defined as part of
our design requirements?
• Create prototype.
• Evaluate the prototype through a
Critical Design Review.
An Engineering Design Process
Reflect
5. Reflect on the Solution and the Process
• Contact experts and stakeholders.
• Document external evaluation of the project.
• Document the designers evaluation of the project.
• Present your recommendations.
An Engineering Design Process
Present
6. Presentation of Findings and Defense of Project
• Finalize your engineering notebook.
• Finalize your project portfolio.
• Present your findings and defend you project steps.
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved September 30, 2009,
from http://office.microsoft.com/en- us/clipart/default.aspx
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
(n.d.). NASA image exchange. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from
http://nix.nasa.gov/.