A specific and iterative set of steps that engineers use to
evaluate and refine potential solutions, select the most promising
solution, construct a prototype, test and evaluate the prototype,
communicate the design, and redesign.
Slide 4
Engineering Design Loop Iterative- characterized by or
involving repetition. The steps of the design loop are iterative
(not rigid or linear). During the process, you may go back and
forth among the steps and may not always follow them in order. For
example, you may skip ahead to test a proof or concept or go
backwards to learn more about the essential problem.
Slide 5
STEP 1: Identifying A Need Design process begins with an
engineer recognizing a need for a solution rather than just coming
up with an idea or gathering information on an existing
product.
Slide 6
Identifying A Need Instead of asking, What do we want to
design? Engineers ask, Why do we want to design that? What problem
and/or need will our design ultimately be solving? During this part
of the design loop, engineers have to identify the target
population.
Slide 7
Target Population An identified population, clients, or
subjects intended to be served by a particular program. A group
that will benefit from our project
Slide 8
Target Population Ask the following questions: Is the target
population one individual? A group of individuals? A specific
community? Or a larger population? Is the target population from a
specific location? Demographic (age/gender) Other identifying
characteristics (health condition or employment) How is target
population connected?
Slide 9
Requirements & Constraints Constraint is a restriction on
the degree of freedom one has in providing a solution to a problem
/challenge/need. Requirement is a need or a necessity What a
particular product or service should do While understanding the
project need and the target population, you will identify the
requirements and constraints of the project.
Slide 10
Example of Requirements & Constraints You are asked to
design shoes for children in an impoverished area at a cost of less
than $20. After going through the design process, you determine
that the only way to fulfill the need is to use recycled materials.
The requirement is shoes for children. The low cost is the
constraint and the use of recycled materials is the solution.
Slide 11
Step 1: Identify the Need Developing a project definition
relates the projects problem/need to our personal lives. You want
to design something that would help you if you were experiencing
the same problem/need of your target population. While we are
building the mousetrap car, our need is not necessarily a problem
in our personal lives. We are developing a better understanding of
physics.