1. Module C: Presentation The Engineering / Design Process
Department of Defense Education Activity
Robotics Engineering – CTE502
Career and Technical Education
Robotics Engineering (CTE502) – DoDEA Career and Technical Education
Module C: Presentation – The Engineering / Design Process
Revised 1 January 2019

2. The Design Process Used to move from problem to concept to solution.
There is no universally accepted design process.
NASA
Science Buddies
Teach Engineering
The Works
Invest more effort in the early stages of the process to maximize efficiency.
Different Design Story Resources
– How Dyson designs Vacuum Cleaners
– Using Storyboards to help describe the problem or solution
– Curiosity’s 7 Minutes of Terror talks about different design ideas for different stages of the landing.
- Red Bull’s attempt to break the sound barrier during Free Fall from 120,000ft

3. The Design Process – For Us
10 steps to reaching the best possible solution with the least amount of effort in the shortest amount of time.
Identify the Problem
Identify Criteria and Constraints
Ideate
Develop Ideas
Evaluate Possibilities
Select an Approach
Build a Model and Prototype
Test and Refine
Document and Present
Manufacture

4. Step One: Identify the Problem
Write a statement that answers the following questions.
What are you trying to design?
What problem is the design attempting to solve?
Who are the stakeholders?
Example: How can I design a __________ that will __________ for __________ ?

5. Step Two: Identify Criteria and Constraints
Thoroughly research the problem.
Collect important data that will determine design criteria and constraints to lead to a possible solution.
Write a statement that specifies the design requirements. (Information might be of more use in tabular form.)
Deliverables must include answers to these two questions:
What are the design limitations? (size, weight, environment, materials, etc.)
What are the criterion that indicates a successful solution to the problem?

6. Step Three: IDEATE (brainstorm)
Conduct a group discussion using information from the previous steps.
Produce many possible solutions to the problem.
Set a time limit
Ensure that everyone is free to contribute and all suggestions are recorded.
Sketches are crude and quick.
No proposal is discounted or championed.
Deliverables should include at least three of the following:
Analogy
Mind Map
Flow-Chart
Sketches
Design Notes

7. Step Four: Develop Ideas
Select two or three of the most promising ideas from Brainstorming and develop them more thoroughly.
Working with pencil and rule, create new drawings that show greater detail in top, front, and side views (orthographic) as well as a dimensioned isometric view.
Drawings should be neat showing parts in closer proportion than the sketches.
Drawing components should be clearly labeled to include notes.
Deliverables must include:
Orthographic Drawing
Isometric Drawing
Dimensions
Labels
Design Notes

8. Step Five: Evaluate Possibilities
Developed ideas shared and discussed among team members using the criteria and constraints from Step 2.
Pros and Cons should be listed for each design idea and notes made on the drawings accordingly.
Pros & Cons should be specific and measurable
Avoid terms like (easy, hard, fast, slow)
Deliverables Should Include:
Table of Pros and Cons for Each Developed Idea
Design Notes Added To Drawings

9. Step Six: Select an Approach
Working as a team, come to consensus regarding the best solution to the problem.
Consensus is a process for group decision-making. It is a method by which an entire group of people can come to an agreement. The input and ideas of all participants are gathered and synthesized to arrive at a final decision acceptable to all. Through consensus, we are not only working to achieve better solutions, but also to promote the growth of community and trust.
Deliverables Must Include:
Prioritized table of each solution’s characteristics
Statement specifying why the selected approach is the best solution to the problem
Written clarification how the solution meets the criteria and adheres to the constraints regarding the identified problem.
Resources for Consensus Building
- Tips, Pros, Cons about building consensus

10. Step Seven: Build a Model and Prototype
Models can be
Virtual objects designed using CAD.
Built using materials like cardboard, wood or Styrofoam.
Kits with snap-together or bolt-together parts that can be used to fabricate models of solutions to a problem.
To scale or full-size.
Prototypes are typically working models.
This phase is used to determine problems with spatial relationships or component interaction.
Deliverables Must Include:
Virtual Model
Prototype (Scale or Full-Size)
- a site that will print 3D parts for you.

11. Step Eight: Test and Refine
Examine and evaluate the prototype insuring its performance meets the criteria and constraints.
Identify problems with the prototype’s design.
Brainstorm possible solutions while implementing changes until the prototype solves the problem reliably.
Deliverables:
Fully Functional and Reliable Prototype

12. Step Nine: Documentation and Presentation
Complete all the documentation necessary to construct the solution to the problem.
Present this documentation to the stakeholders for review and approval.
Deliverables should include the following:
Project Presentation
Gant Chart
Dimensioned CAD / CAM Design
Component Specifications
Detailed Design Notes
Manufacturing / Assembly Instructions

13. Step Ten: Production
Manufacture a full-scale fully functional solution to the design problem.
Test and refine the product until it operates reliably.
Deliverables to include:
Fully Functional and Reliable Solution
Updated and Complete Documentation

14. Eight Step Engineering / Design Process

15. Module C: Presentation The Engineering / Design Process
Department of Defense Education Activity
Robotics Engineering – CTE502
Career and Technical Education
Robotics Engineering (CTE502) – DoDEA Career and Technical Education
Module C: Presentation – The Engineering / Design Process
Revised 1 January 2019