Many engineers utilize a structured design approach in order to meet the needs of customers. The process provides structure to projects, and also encourages creativity. The objective raw data that is collected during the process will help reduce bias and promote better decision making. In addition the engineering process can teach that setbacks and failures can be valuable sources of future data.
The first step in the engineering design process is to define the problem. Engineers must be clear on what their product is going to do and why it is needed. This is a crucial step for the rest of the engineering process.
After defining the problem, it’s important to gather the most information regarding the solution. This can be achieved through conducting research, asking important questions and creating ideas. This is where engineering creativity truly shines and where the most innovative solutions come about.
Engineers must identify potential solutions and weigh their pros and cons prior to selecting the best. The solution should also be able to meet the project constraints (e.g. cost, materials space, time, etc.) are all crucial factors.
It is recommended to make a model after selecting the best solution. Then, tests can be conducted to see if the product is performing what it’s supposed accomplish. By identifying flaws in the early stages the project is able to reduce overall development time and saves money to fix problems later on.