How engineers create solutions to problems Manuel Burton
Slide 2
Introduction to the Engineering Design Process Tutorial The
engineering design process is a series of stages engineers use when
they are trying to solve a problem or develop a solution for a
project. The stages in this process are correlated because of the
difficulties that arise in any stage of the process and the variety
of ways an issue can be resolved. All of the phases in this process
are documented for reference and use to create a resourceful
notebook for the project. To navigate your way through this
tutorial, simply use the buttons in the bottom right corner of the
page to perform the following actions: Click this button to return
to the previous page of the engineering design process Click this
button to return to the beginning of the engineering design process
Click this button to navigate to the next slide of the engineering
design process
Slide 3
Phase 1: Identify the problem In the beginning of a project,
gather as much detailed information about the problem to gain a
better understanding of the project and the solution you are trying
to accomplish. Defining the actual problem of the project is the
most critical aspect of this process. Pictures, video,
measurements, etc., are all necessary tools to ensure that you have
a sure idea of what is wrong and what needs to be corrected.
Gathering this detailed information will give direction for the
proper solution and provide documented information that will be
valuable for your engineering notebook.
Slide 4
Phase 1: Identify the problem Engineers define the problem by
gaining a complete of understanding of the issue they are trying to
resolve. Inadequacies in this phase of the process can lead to time
wasted and costly damages in the actual development of the
solution. Engineers do very detailed research about the issue they
are presented in order to ensure they are developing a solution
that will achieve the desired goal.
Slide 5
Phase 2: Research In this phase of the process, research is
critical because it gives direction about possible solutions. This
extensive research about the problem allows you to begin to develop
a foundation for the solution to the project. Taking advantage of
the internet, talking with professionals, reading articles, etc.,
are among the variety of resources to research solutions to the
project. The more information gained during this phase will aid to
the success in developing a solution to your project. Engineers do
extensive research on the problem they are solving and the
environment surrounding the issue. This investigation of the
problem offers insight into previous solutions and how different
materials were used based on the locations and characteristics of
the environment.
Slide 6
Phase 3: Brainstorming In this phase of the process consider a
variety of solutions to formulate the best ideas for the solution
for the project. Accept any solution to the project in spite of
your feelings. This positive attitude will lead to positive thought
processes that will aide in completion of your project. Engineers
collaborate their research and garner ways to achieve a solution.
During this phase every solution is documented for the engineering
notebook. This is a critical phase of development because of the
variety of solutions that can achieve a task. Engineers use this
phase of the process to figure out the solution that is necessary
for maximum functionality and stability in the project.
Slide 7
Phase 4: Choose a plan During this phase of the process, begin
to generate the initial plans for the project, remembering the
amount of resources available. Create drawings and build models to
visualize your thought processes. During this process keep all
sketches and ideas generated documented in the engineering
notebook. This documentation will provide a visual learning tool to
evaluate the positive and negative components of each design. After
all of the possible solutions have been evaluated, decide upon the
best blueprint for the project. Engineers develop the initial plan
of the project and think of ways to create it using the resources
they have. Engineers document all sketches and drawings that they
create for reference in their engineering notebook. This allows
them to compare and contrast a variety of ideas from different
designs. Most of the time this comparison allows engineers to
create the solution that is necessary for the project. Once all of
the possible solutions have been revealed, then a decision is made
about the best solution that will suit the needs of the
project.
Slide 8
Phase 5: Create In this phase of the process, begin to build
the solution you have chosen with the resources for the project.
Make sure you keep detailed sketches and photos in your engineering
notebook for review. Create the fundamental moving parts of the
project first to determine their functionality, then build the
basic components. This initial creation of the solution will give
you an official model to test and modify. Engineers build the
essential components of the solution first to determine the
functionality during this phase of the process. After those parts
are created then the basic components of the entire project are
added to see complete functionality of the entire solution. All
designs are documented for review during this phase of the
project.
Slide 9
Phase 6: Testing Throughout this phase of your project,
detailed documentation and a variety of tests need to be completed
to determine the actual functionality of your initial design. The
information acquired through these tests will be essential to the
design modifications necessary to improve the solution. The test
results must be documented in the engineering notebook. The tests
should be conducted in the actual environment of the product or
conditions that are similar. During your testing, perform the
actual functions of the solution to determine its effectiveness.
This information will provide the feedback needed to create the
best solution for your project. Engineers take their initial design
of the solution through a series of functionality tests. These
tests are designed and simulated in the actual environment the
product will be functioning. The results of these tests are
documented and evaluated to determine the efficiency of the
solution. After evaluation engineers determine the components of
the solution that need to be modified to make it more
effective.
Slide 10
Phase 7: Redesign In this phase of the process, review the
results thoroughly to ensure that your solution is providing the
best results for the project. If one aspect of your solution is not
functioning well, modify and recreate the design for the best
results. The extra time you take modifying the intricate details of
your solution will be beneficial. Document the modifications in
your engineering notebook for reference. You may revert back to
previous phases of this process several times before a final
solution is achieved. This attention to detail will ensure the
functionality of the solution and reduce maintenance issues in the
future. Engineers review feedback gained through the testing phase
and use it to make improvement modifications to the design of the
solution. Engineers want to provide the solution that will offer
the best results for the project. In this phase engineers refer to
their engineering notebook about alternative design ideas and often
revert back to previous phases of this process. The process is
designed exactly for this reason because of the many difficulties
that engineers encounter in a project.
Slide 11
Phase 8: Presenting In this phase of the process you present
the final solution to your team and team leaders of the project for
final approval. When they ask about the final decisions made about
the development of the solution, give them the justified reasons
from feedback gained through the testing phase of this process.
This information will provide evidence and ensure the confidence in
the team or whom ever the solution is for. This will also provide a
platform to showcase the stability and functionality of the final
solution. Engineers offer the final solution to be reviewed by
managers and consultants for final approval. During this phase
engineers are ready to answer questions about alternative designs
and offer insight into why they chose the solution to complete the
needs of the project.
Slide 12
Congratulations on your completion of this tutorial! Your
engineering notebook should be complete and full of valuable
information that you created throughout this entire process.
Remember that the phases in this process are correlated because of
the many difficulties you are going to encounter trying to develop
solutions to projects.
