The Engineering Design Process
Engineers and designers use the engineering design process, shown in the diagram and table below,
to solve a problem by creating new products, systems, or environments.
The process rarely moves in a linear fashion. Instead designers jump back and forth between the
steps as they move toward the final solution.
Steps of the Engineering Design Process Detailed Help for Each Step
Define the Problem. The engineering design process starts when you ask
the questions below about problems that you observe: Define the Problem
Design Notebook
What is the problem or need?
Mind Mapping
Who has the problem or need?
Why is it important to solve?
Engineering Project
Proposal Form
[Who] need(s) [what] because [why].
Background Research
Do Background Research: Learn from the experience of others rather than Plan for an Engineering
blunder around and repeat their mistakes. So, for an engineering design Design Project
project, do background research in two major areas: Finding Information
Bibliography
Users or customers Research Paper
Existing solutions Background Research
Plan Worksheet
Specify Requirements
Design Brief Worksheet
Design Requirement
Examples
How to Analyze a
Physical Product
Specify Requirements: Design requirements state the important
characteristics that your solution must meet to succeed. One of the best ways
How to Analyze a
Software Product or
to identify the design requirements for your solution is to analyze the
Website
concrete example of a similar, existing product, noting each of its key
features. How to Analyze an
Environment
How to Analyze an
Experience
How Many Design
Requirements?
Create Alternative Solutions: There are always many good possibilities for Create Alternative
solving design problems. If you focus on just one before looking at the Solutions
alternatives, it is almost certain that you are overlooking a better solution.
Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can.
Choose the Best Solution
Choose the Best Solution: Look at whether each possible solution meets
your design requirements. Some solutions probably meet more requirements
than others. Reject solutions that do not meet the requirements. Decision Matrix
Worksheet
Development Work
Develop the Solution: Development involves the refinement and
Drawing
improvement of a solution, and it continues throughout the design process,
often even after a product ships to customers.
Storyboards
Build a Prototype: A prototype is an operating version of a solution. Often it
is made with different materials than the final version, and generally it is not
as polished. Prototypes are a key step in the development of a final solution,
Prototyping
allowing the designer to test how the solution will work.
Test and Redesign: The design process involves multiple loops and circles
around your final solution. You will likely test your solution -- find problems
and make changes -- test your new solution -- find new problems and make
Test and Redesign
changes -- and so on, before settling on a final design.
Final Report
Communicate Results: To complete your project, communicate your results Abstract
to others in a final report and/or a display board. Professional engineers
always do the same, thoroughly documenting their solutions so that they can
Display Board
be manufactured and supported.
Science Fair Judging
