2. 1. PROBLEM STATEMENT 2. DESIGN BRIEF 3. INVESTIGATION 4. PROPOSAL 5. INITIAL IDEAS 6. RESEARCH 7. DEVELOPING THE CHOSEN IDEA 8. PLANNING 9. MAKE/MANUFACTURING 10. TEST, EVALUATE AND IMPROVE

3.  During this stage the technologists (the learners in the technology classroom) should identify the problem or need for which they should find a solution.  This is usually expressed in one or two sentences in the form of a problem statement.

4.  If the technologists knows what the problem or need is for which he should find a solution, he formulates a design brief in collaboration with the client ( who experiences the problem or need).  This would typically consist of one or two sentences giving a broad indication of what should be designed in order to solve the problem or satisfy the need.

5.  In some cases the client could communicate this directly to the technologist.

6.  Once the technologist knows what the problem or need is and which product could broadly serve as a possible solution, he must gather information about the problem and the possible solution.  He could launch an investigation into existing products or aspects thereof which could serve as possible solutions.

7.  The availability and affordability of suitable material from which to manufacture the product can also be determined.

8.  During the proposal stage the technologist has the opportunity to discuss his tentative solution with the client.  This also offers and opportunity of verify whether the problem has been identified and interpreted correctly.  The client should receive an indication of more or less which product will be provided, its specifications (measurements, etc.) and a time frame indicating how long it would take to complete.

9.  Once the client is satisfied with the direction that the technologist has taken, the technologist can begin to develop ideas.  During this creative stage the technologist puts his/her ideas on paper in the form of freehand sketches.  The different ideas are weighed up in terms of their advantages and disadvantages by means of critical analysis.

10.  Eventually the technologist selects one idea to be developed further.

11.  There are often particular aspects of the chosen idea which are problematic in the sense that the technologist is unsure of how to handle them.  To find answers to these problematic aspects, research is required.  Research implies a more in-depth and focused search for information than during the initial investigation.

12.  Research is conducted to solve problems and answer questions relating to the problematic aspects of the chosen idea in order to develop it into a workable solution.

13.  The research results give rise to the development and refining of the problematic aspects of the chosen idea.  A final idea takes form once all the problematic aspects of the chosen idea have been resolved.

14.  After the final idea has been developed, plans can be formulated on how to manufacture the product.  During the planning stage a working drawing (drawn to scale and including measurements) is made using drawing equipment.  A list is compiled of all the parts of the product, its size and the materials to be used for manufacturing.

15.  A list is also compiled of all the tools required. The order of the steps to be followed when making the product is shown on a flow diagram. A time schedule is also drawn up.

16.  During the manufacturing stage the preceding planning is executed. The product which is manufactured should be in line with the working drawing.

17.  Testing is a very important part of design. It tells if the solution works, and if so, how well it works.  The functioning of the product may be tested (seeing if it works) or it might involve repeated testing to check reliability.  Following the testing of the product it may be necessary to do further design work to improve it or even redesign the product.