1. Section 5: Technology Design Skills
Have you ever designed a project for school?
How did it go?
Were there any problems?
Did you have to do any parts over again?

2. The Technology Design Process
-A method by which an idea for a new technology is developed into a final product.
-Also called the engineering design process because it often involves the work of engineers.
-An engineer is a person who is trained to use both technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.

3. 6 Steps to Designing New Technology
1. Identifying the Need
2. Researching the Problem
3. Designing the Solution
4. Building a Prototype
5. Troubleshooting and Redesigning
6.Communicating the Solution

4. Identifying the Need
When engineers identify a need, they clearly define the problem they are trying to solve.
Examples: -Must be Reliable
-Must be Easy to Use
-Not too Expensive to Produce

5. Researching the Problem
-After defining a problem, engineers need to research it fully.
-When engineers research a problem, they gather information that will help them in their tasks.
Examples: -Read Books and Articles
-Attend Conference
-Perform Experiments
-Do Customer Research

6. Designing a Solution
-Once the problem is clearly understood, it is time to start thinking about solutions.
-The solution stage involves coming up with ideas, or thinking about different ways to solve the problem.
-Engineers weigh many possible solutions and choose the best one.

7. Designing a Solution Continued
-Brainstorming is a process in which group members freely suggest any creative solutions that come to mind.
-A constraint is any factor that limits or restricts a design.
-A trade-off is an exchange in which one benefit is given up in order to obtain another.

8. Building a Prototype
-A prototype is a working model used to test a design.
-Prototypes are used to test the operation of a product, including how well it works, how long it lasts, and how safe it is to use.

9. Troubleshooting and Redesigning
-The next stage in the design process is to identify the causes of any problems and to redesign the product to address the problems.
-The process of analyzing a design problem and finding a way to fix it is called troubleshooting.

10. Communicating the Solution
-Engineers must communicate to consumers how a product meets their needs.
-They must also communicate with those involved in bringing the product to consumers.
-Example: -Manufacturers
-Marketing Department

11. Identify the
Need
Communicate
Research
Design
Solution
Troubleshoot
Build
Prototype

12. Optional Step 7
-Because new products may bring fame or wealth to an inventor or company, patents are usually obtained to protect the inventions.
-A patent is a legal document issued by a government that gives the inventor exclusive
rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a limited time.