Engineering Design Process Overview

Summary

The engineering design process is an iterative method to solve complex problems and meet client needs. It involves two main stages: design analysis and solution construction. In the analysis stage, teams clarify their assignment, understand the problem, and define design criteria. The solution stage includes developing solution options, evaluating them using decision-making tools, prototyping, and testing to ensure the solution meets the design criteria. This process is critical for creating successful engineering solutions.

Takeaways

• 🔄 **Iterative Process**: Engineering design is an iterative process where teams may need to repeat functions after gaining new knowledge.
• 🔍 **Two Main Stages**: The process is divided into understanding the problem and constructing a solution.
• 📝 **Clarify Assignment**: The first step is to clarify the team's assignment to avoid solving the wrong problem.
• 🧐 **Understand Problem and Context**: Teams must fully understand the problem, including past failures and new requirements.
• 📊 **Define Design Criteria**: Design goals are formally defined with quantitative values during the analysis stage.
• 🤔 **Research and User Interaction**: Engaging with users and conducting research is critical for understanding the problem.
• 💭 **Develop Solution Options**: Brainstorming is used to generate as many solution options as possible.
• ⚖️ **Evaluate Solutions**: Teams use structured decision-making tools to reduce options to a selected design.
• 🛠️ **Prototype Solution**: Teams build CAD models or physical prototypes, starting with low-cost materials.
• 📈 **Test Solution**: The solution is tested to ensure it meets the design criteria and project goals.
• 🔁 **Iterative Nature**: The process includes back arrows indicating steps that may need to be revisited.

Q & A

What is the engineering design process?

The engineering design process is an iterative, problem-solving process that creates a solution to meet client needs, which can be a device, product, process, or system.

Why is the engineering design process considered iterative?

The engineering design process is considered iterative because teams may need to go back and perform the same function more than once once they've learned new knowledge.

How can the engineering design process be divided into stages?

The engineering design process can be broken up into two overall stages: the design analysis stage, where the team understands the design problem, and the solution stage, where the team constructs a solution.

What is the first step in the design analysis stage?

The first step in the design analysis stage is to clarify the team assignment, which involves understanding the assignment by having conversations with the client or boss.

Why is it critical to thoroughly explore the design analysis stage?

Thoroughly exploring the design analysis stage is critical as it sets the team up for success by ensuring a clear understanding of the problem and context before moving on to solution development.

What are the tasks involved in understanding the problem and context?

Tasks involved in understanding the problem and context include research, talking with people, and visiting destinations to learn more about the problem.

What is the purpose of defining design criteria?

The purpose of defining design criteria is to formally define the design goals, which are typically expressed as objectives paired with quantitative values.

Can you provide an example of design criteria for a portable music player?

An example of design criteria for a portable music player could be that the device must weigh less than 5 kilograms.

What is the first step in the solution stage?

The first step in the solution stage is to develop solution options, where the team brainstorms to identify as many possible solution options as they can.

How do teams evaluate solutions during the solution stage?

Teams evaluate solutions using structured engineering decision-making tools, such as screening and scoring matrices, to reduce a large number of solution options down to a selected design solution.

What is the role of prototyping in the engineering design process?

Prototyping in the engineering design process involves specifying the solution and building a CAD model or a physical prototype to visualize and test the solution before refining it with higher cost and fidelity materials.

Why is the process of prototyping and testing iterative?

The process of prototyping and testing is iterative because it often generates more solution ideas and requires refinement of the design to meet the project's goals and objectives.

Outlines

00:00

🔄 Iterative Nature of Engineering Design

The paragraph introduces the engineering design process as an iterative and problem-solving endeavor aimed at fulfilling client needs through devices, products, processes, or systems. It emphasizes the iterative nature of the process, where teams may repeat steps as new knowledge emerges. The process is divided into two main stages: the design analysis stage, where the problem is understood, and the solution stage, where a solution is constructed. The paragraph also discusses the importance of thoroughly exploring the problem and context, defining design criteria, and how these steps lay the foundation for successful design. Examples of designing a portable music player and a water bottle are used to illustrate the process.

05:01

🛠️ Solution Stage of Engineering Design

This paragraph delves into the solution stage of the engineering design process, detailing the steps teams take after thoroughly understanding the problem. It begins with developing solution options through brainstorming, aiming to generate as many ideas as possible. The next step is evaluating these solutions using structured decision-making tools to reduce options to a select few. The paragraph then discusses prototyping, suggesting the use of CAD models for visualization and physical prototypes for device construction, starting with low-cost materials and progressing to higher fidelity as the solution is refined. The final step is testing the solution to ensure it meets the design criteria. The paragraph concludes by reiterating the iterative nature of the process, with back arrows in diagrams indicating potential revisits to previous steps, and highlights the importance of integrity in the evaluation process to identify the best solution.

Keywords

💡Iterative

Iterative refers to a process that is repeated multiple times, often with refinements or changes based on new information or feedback. In the context of the video, the engineering design process is described as iterative because teams may need to revisit and perform the same function more than once after gaining new knowledge. This approach allows for continuous improvement and adaptability to changing requirements.

💡Engineering Design Process

The engineering design process is a systematic method used by engineers to solve complex problems and create solutions. The video outlines this process as having two main stages: understanding the design problem and constructing a solution. It is central to the video's narrative as it provides a framework for how to approach and solve engineering challenges.

💡Design Analysis Stage

The design analysis stage is the first part of the engineering design process where teams immerse themselves in understanding the problem. This stage is critical for setting up the team for success, as it involves clarifying the assignment, understanding the problem and context, and defining design criteria. The video emphasizes the importance of not rushing through this stage, as it lays the foundation for the entire project.

💡Clarify the Team Assignment

Clarifying the team assignment is the first step in the design analysis stage. It involves gaining a clear understanding of what the team is tasked to achieve, often through conversations with clients or bosses. The video uses the example of designing a portable music player, where understanding the target audience is crucial. This step is important because misunderstandings at this stage can lead to solving the wrong problem.

💡Understanding the Problem and Context

Understanding the problem and context is the second step in the design analysis stage. The goal is to fully grasp why a designed solution is needed, what has failed with previous solutions, and what new features are required. This involves research, talking with people, and visiting relevant destinations to learn more about the problem. The video suggests that for a portable music player, one would need to conduct research and talk to potential users to understand their needs.

💡Defining Design Criteria

Defining design criteria is the final step in the design analysis stage. It involves formally setting the design goals, which are expressed as criteria with an objective paired with a quantitative value. For example, the video mentions that a device must weigh less than 5 kilograms. This step is crucial as it provides measurable targets for the design team to aim for.

💡Solution Stage

The solution stage is the second part of the engineering design process where teams begin to think of candidate solutions. This stage starts after the design analysis stage and involves developing solution options, evaluating solutions, prototyping, and testing. The video emphasizes that a good job in the design analysis stage prepares the team with the appropriate knowledge to tackle this challenge.

💡Develop Solution Options

Developing solution options is the first step in the solution stage. It involves brainstorming and identifying as many possible solution options as the team can. The video suggests that using a disciplined process will increase the number of ideas generated. For instance, when designing a portable music player or a water bottle, the team would brainstorm various design ideas.

💡Evaluate Solutions

Evaluating solutions is the second step in the solution stage. Teams use structured engineering decision-making tools to reduce a large number of solution options down to a selected design solution. The video mentions techniques like screening and scoring matrices. This step is iterative and requires integrity to identify the best designed solution.

💡Prototype

Prototyping is the third step in the solution stage where teams specify their solution and build a CAD model or a physical prototype. CAD models are useful for visualization, while physical prototypes are suitable for constructing devices. The video advises starting with low-cost materials for initial prototypes and moving to higher cost materials as the solution is refined.

💡Test the Solution

Testing the solution is the final step in the solution stage. It involves verifying if the developed solution meets the design criteria, essentially checking if it achieves the project's goals and objectives. The video uses this step to illustrate the iterative nature of the engineering design process, where teams may need to revisit previous steps to improve the design outcome.

Highlights

Engineering design is an iterative problem-solving process.

The process can result in devices, products, processes, or systems.

Design process models share common elements despite variations in terminology.

Iterative nature means teams may repeat functions after gaining new knowledge.

The process is divided into two main stages: understanding the problem and constructing a solution.

Design analysis stage involves immersing in understanding the problem.

Clarifying the team assignment is crucial at the beginning of the design analysis stage.

Misunderstandings during assignment clarification can lead to solving the wrong problem.

Understanding the problem and context is essential for identifying design needs.

Research, conversations, and field visits are part of understanding the problem.

Defining design criteria formally sets design goals with quantitative values.

Design criteria should be quantitative to guide the solution stage.

The solution stage begins with developing solution options through brainstorming.

Evaluating solutions involves structured decision-making tools.

Prototyping involves specifying the solution and building a CAD model or physical prototype.

Testing the solution ensures it meets the design criteria and project goals.

The engineering design process is iterative, with potential to revisit steps.

Mastering the engineering design process is key to solving challenging problems in engineering.

Transcripts

engineering design is the iterative

problem solving process that creates a

solution to meet client

needs the solution can look like a

device a product a process or a

system many models exist that capture

the engineering design process in

graphical

form while some of the terminology or

some smaller features may vary there are

several common elements across all of

these different

models the first is that the engineering

design process is

iterative what I mean by this is that

teams may need to go back and perform

the same function more than once once

they've learned new

knowledge the second is that the

engineering design process can be broken

up into two overall stages in the first

step the team immerses thems and

understanding the design problem in the

second stage the team immerses thems in

constructing a

solution here are several pictures of

engineering design process

diagrams throughout the developed

modules we will be using this

representation of the engineering design

process teams and courses using

different models will find that most of

the same steps will be found in their

model

model the purpose of this video is to

give an overview of the engineering

design

process we're going to illustrate the

design process by considering two

separate problems the first the design

of a portable music player the second

the design of a water

bottle the left hand side of the chart

is the design analysis

stage in this stage teams immerse

themselves in understanding the problem

it is critical to thoroughly explore and

complete these

steps often times teams rush through

this as they don't find it particularly

interesting however doing this step well

will set your team up for

Success the first step in the design

analysis stage is to clarify the team

assignment it's important to start with

a clear understanding of your team's

assignment you often understand this

assignment by having conversations with

the client or with the

boss often misunderstandings can arise

during this step failure to fully

understand your assignment can result in

your team solving the wrong problem or

solving a problem

incompletely for example if you were

tasked with designing a new a portable

music player you might talk to the vice

president of development to understand

the target audience for the new music

player the second step in the design

analysis stage is understanding the

problem and the

context the goal here is to fully

understand why a designed solution is

needed what has failed with previous

Solutions and what new features are

needed for the

design the tasks in this step include

research talking with people and going

to destinations to learn more about the

problem it's also critically important

at this stage to talk with users of the

design

fine so let's suppose you're tasked with

understanding the problem and the

context for a portable music player what

type of research would you need to do

what type of people would you need to

talk to and what destinations might you

visit to understand the problem

better so pause the video now take two

minutes and jot down some answers to

these

questions

the third and final step in the design

analysis stage is defining the design

criteria this is the step when you

formally Define the design

goals these design goals are typically

expressed as design criteria with an

objective paired with a quantitative

value for example the device must weigh

less than 5

kilog so consider the water bottle or

the portable music player designed

design

challenge think about two appropriate

design criteria for one of these

problems pause the video now take two

minutes and write down two design

criteria for one of these challenges

remember to keep your design criteria

quantitative armed with the design

criteria your team can now move on to

the solution stage

the right hand side of this engineering

design process chart is the solution

stage this is the time when finally

teams begin to think of candidate

solutions by doing a good job in the

design analysis stage the team is

prepared with the appropriate knowledge

and ready to tackle this challenge the

first step in the solution stage is to

develop solution

options this is where the team begins to

brainstorm options the goal in this step

is to identify as many possible solution

options as the team can and using a

disciplined process will definitely

increase the number of ideas so off the

top of your head you might be able to

think of a number of new ideas for the

design of a portable music player or a

new water

bottle the second step in the solution

stage is to evaluate

Solutions when you evaluate Solutions

teams use structured engineering

decision making

tools where the goal is to reduce a

large number of solution options down to

a selected design

solution during this process teams use

engineering techniques that include

screening and scoring

matrices the process for selecting a

solution is iterative and at times

tedious however it's very important to

do this step with Integrity because

you're essentially identifying the best

designed

solution the third step in the solution

stage is to prototype the

solution in this step teams specify

their solution and build a cad model or

a physical

prototype CAD models are particularly

good for visualizing the solution or

being able to design intricate

Parts physical prototypes are suitable

when you're constructing a

device when you think about building a

phys physical prototype you want to

initially use lowcost materials then as

you develop and refine Your solution you

move on to higher cost and higher

Fidelity

materials the fourth and final step of

the solution stage is to test the

solution here you test the solution to

see if it meets Your Design criteria in

other words does your developed solution

meet the Project's goals and

objectives let's take another look at

the model for the engineering design

process when you look at this diagram

you'll see that there's several back

arrows these are places where teams may

need to revisit

steps for example the process of

evaluation often times generates more

solution

ideas also the process of prototyping

and testing is very

iterative don't be afraid to repeat a

step to improve your design outcome

in conclusion the engineering design

process is an iterative process of

creating a solution to meet desired

needs the engineering design process is

a disciplined method to solve open-ended

and challenging

problems the engineering design process

is used throughout the field of

engineering and mastering it will allow

you to work on exciting engineering

design

problems