1. Silicon Prairie Initiative on Robotics in Information Technology
The Engineering Process

2. References
Definition of the Engineering Method; Billy Vaughn Koen; American Society for Engineering Education; 1985; ISBN:
Discussion of The Method; Billy Vaughn Koen; Oxford University Press; 2003; ISBN:
Strategies for Creative Problem Solving; H. Scot Fogler and Steven E. LeBlanc; Prentice-Hall; 1995; ISBN:

3. Engineers and Scientists
Science and mathematics is about understanding and describing the world.
Engineering is about using this understanding to create new objects and devices for the practical benefit of humans and society.
Science uses the “scientific method”
Engineering uses the “design process”

4. Engineers and Scientists
The Scientific Method
Observe some aspect of the universe
Formulate a hypothesis consistent with observation
Use the hypothesis to make predictions
Test the predictions with experiments
Modify the hypothesis in light of results
Repeat testing until no discrepancies between theory and experiment

5. Engineers and Scientists
Engineering Design Process
Identify the problem or design objective
Define goals and identify constraints
Research and gather information
Create potential solutions
Analyze the viability of the solutions
Choose the most appropriate solution
Implement the solution
Test and evaluate the design
Repeat ALL steps as necessary

6. Heuristics
A heuristic is anything that provides a plausible aid or direction in the solution of a problem.
Heuristics are usually unjustified and potentially fallible.
Engineering design is the use of heuristics.
Heuristics are used to cause the best change in a poorly understood situation within the available resources.

7. Engineering Design Process

8. Design Process Problem Definition Client Statement (Need)
1. Clarify objectives
2. Establish user requirements
3. Identify constraints
4. Establish functions
Client Statement
(Need)
Conceptual Design
5. Establish design specifications
6. Generate alternatives
Design Process
Preliminary Design
7. Model or analyze design
8. Test and evaluate design
Detailed Design
9. Refine and optimize design
Final Design
(Fabrication Specs
& Documentation)
Design Communication
10. Document design

9. Convergent (left brain) and
Divergent (right brain) Thinking

10. Problem Definition Methods Means Objective Tree
Pairwise Comparison Chart
Weighted Objectives Tree
Function-Means Tree
Functional Analysis
Requirements Matrix
Means
Literature Review
Brainstorming
User Surveys and Questionnaires
Structured Interviews

11. Building an Objectives Tree

12. Building an Objectives Tree

13. Functional Analysis What does the design DO?
What functions must be performed to realize the objectives?
Put the language of the client and users into the language of the engineer.
Put things into terminology that helps to find ways to meet objectives.
Use terminology that can be used to measure how well the objectives have been met.

14. What are Functions?
A relationship between independent variables (inputs) and response or dependent variables. (outputs)
Mathematics:
Business Management Theory:
Transformation function

15. Black and Glass Boxes
Like the mathematical and management models - relate the inputs to the outputs
All ins and outs must be specified
What happens to each input?
Where does the output come from?
Remove the cover to see what's going on inside.
Black Box

16. Black Box of a Radio

17. Radio Glass Box (the cover has been removed)

18. Function-Means Tree
A graphical representation of the design's basic and secondary functions
Alternating levels of function and means
Begins the process of association of what must be done and how we might do it.
Can be used to separate and sort secondary functions associated with the design.

20. Heuristics
A heuristic is anything that provides a plausible aid or direction in the solution of a problem.
Heuristics are usually unjustified and potentially fallible.
Engineering design is the use of heuristics.
Heuristics are used to cause the best change in a poorly understood situation within the available resources.

21. Conceptual Design: Finding a Feasible Concept.
Break down the overall problem into subproblems.
Find solutions to each subproblem
Combine the subproblem solutions.
The aim is to start with the project definition and generate as many ways as possible of solving the problem.
Then select the most promising ideas that meet the design specification.

22. Conceptual Design Methods Means Performance Specification Method
Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
Morphological Chart
Means
Brainstorming
Synectics and Analogies
Benchmarking
Reverse Engineering (Dissection)

23. Convergent (left brain) and
Divergent (right brain) Thinking