Engineering Design Process
Engineering Design Process
Engineers ask critical questions about what they want to create, whether it be a skyscraper, amusement
park ride, bicycle or smartphone. These questions include: What is the problem to solve? What do we
want to design? Who is it for? What do we want to accomplish? What are the project requirements? What
are the limitations? What is our goal?
Research the problem
This includes talking to people from many different backgrounds and specialties to assist with researching
what products or solutions already exist, or what technologies might be adaptable to your needs.
Imagine: Develop possible solutions
You work with a team to brainstorm ideas and develop as many solutions as possible. This is the time to
encourage wild ideas and defer judgment! Build on the ideas of others! Stay focused on topic and have
one conversation at a time! Remember: good design is all about teamwork!
Plan: Select a promising solution
For many teams this is the hardest step! Revisit the needs, constraints, and research from the earlier
steps, compare your best ideas, select one solution, and make a plan to move forward with it.
Create: Build a prototype
Building a prototype makes your ideas real! These early versions of the design solution help your team
verify whether the design meets the original challenge objectives. Push yourself for creativity, imagination
and excellence in design.
Test and evaluate prototype
Does it work? Does it solve the need? Communicate the results and get feedback. Analyze and talk about
what works, what doesn't and what could be improved.
Improve Redesign as needed
Discuss how you could improve your solution. Make revisions. Draw new designs. Iterate your design to
make your product the best it can be.
And now, REPEAT!