The basic five-step process usually used in a problem-solving works for design problems as well. Since design problems are usually defined more vaguely and have a multitude of correct answers, the process may require backtracking and iteration. Solving a design problem is a contingent process and the solution is subject to unforeseen complications and changes as it develops. Until the Wright brothers actually built and tested their early gliders, they did not know the problems and difficulties they would face controlling a powered plane.
The five steps used for solving design problems are:
1. Define the problem
2. Gather pertinent information
3. Generate multiple solutions
4. Analyze and select a solution
5. Test and implement the solution
The first step in the design process is the problem definition. This definition usually contains a listing of the product or customer requirements and specially information about product functions and features among other things. In the next step, relevant information for the design of the product and its functional specifications is obtained. A survey regarding the availability of similar products in the market should be performed at this stage. Once the details of the design are clearly identified, the design team with inputs from test, manufacturing, and marketing teams generates multiple alternatives to achieve the goals and the requirements of the design. Considering cost, safety, and other criteria for selection, the more promising alternatives are selected for further analysis.
Detail design and analysis step enables a complete study of the solutions and result in identification of the final design that best fits the product requirements. Following this step, a prototype of the design is constructed and functional tests are performed to verify and possibly modify the design.
When solving a design problem, you may find at any point in the process that you need to go back to a previous step. The solution you chose may prove unworkable for any number of reasons and may require redefining the problem, collecting more information, or generating different solutions. This continuous iterative process is represented in the following Figure.
This document intends to clarify some of the details involved in implementing the design process. Therefore a description of the details involved in each step of the design process is listed below. Although the descriptions of the activities within each step may give the impression that the steps are sequential and independent from each other, the iterative nature of the application of the process should be kept in mind throughout the document.
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
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