Engineering notebook

What is an engineering notebook? An engineering notebook is a place where an engineer will formally document the work that they are doing in relation to their design project. It is kept chronologically and provides evidence of the progression of their work, modifications, data, formulas, and creative process. Each engineer keeps their own notebook.

What types of things are in it? Sketches (with notes) Written ideas Research references Data from testing Interviews with others Associated contact info

Typical layout of notebook Grid lined pages Pages numbered for reference Place to sign and date for designer Place for a witness to verify Something to identify that this is a legal document and proprietary

Industry standards for notebooks Notebooks are bound as opposed to loose leaf, so that pages cannot be added or removed without being apparent that such was done. If mistakes are made they remain and are not removed from the notebook. Same goes for adding material later, it is done later in the book rather than added in. Pages are numbered in ink in multiple places on the top and outside edge.

Standards continued The notebook is kept in a secure, safe location to maintain security. If a notebook is filled up, it is archived and a new one is started to pick up where the other left off. Labels are included wherever possible to help with calculations and figures.

Standards continued Writing goes from left to right and starts at the top and continues down the page. Only writing instruments that don’t penetrate through the page are used. If anything is added to the notebook it is done with glue or something permanent instead of just adding it loose.

Standards continued Dates are important and need to be clearly written and legible. Erasing should not be done, instead cross through and initial corrections. Be sure to make entries consistent using the same methods for recording your information throughout the book.

Standards continued Before you start a new page, sign and date the previous page. When you complete a page, have a credible person also sign off and date the page in the same location on each page.