1. The Engineering Notebook
Principles Of Engineering
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

2. What is an Engineering Notebook?
The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
What is an Engineering Notebook?
An engineering notebook is a book in which an engineer formally documents, in chronological order, all of the work that is associated with a specific design project.
Each engineer maintains an engineering notebook. All necessary project work is recorded by hand.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

3. What is an Engineering Notebook?
The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
What is an Engineering Notebook?
The engineering notebook is sometimes referred to by other titles:
 engineer’s notebook
 engineering or engineer’s log book
 engineer’s journal
 inventor’s notebook
An engineering notebook is not the same as a portfolio.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

4. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
An Engineering Notebook Records
Written ideas
Sketches (preferably annotated)
Work session summaries
Research findings
Interview information: who was contacted, when, and what was discussed or learned
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

5. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
An Engineering Notebook Records
CAD printouts
Test results
Photographs
Calculations
Note: It doesn’t matter if your line of investigation leads nowhere. Documented failures provide clues for future success.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

6. Why Keep An Engineering Notebook?
The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Why Keep An Engineering Notebook?
Engineering research and development organizations usually require their engineers to keep a running record of their activities. An engineering notebook is recognized as a legal document that is used in patent activities to
Prove the origin of an idea that led to a solution
Prove diligence in turning the idea into a solution
Prove when an idea became a working solution (“reduced to practice”)
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

7. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Why Keep An Engineering Notebook?
Organizations must also deal with the fact that priorities change, and people come and go. The engineering notebook provides continuity when
A project is put on hold for weeks, months, or years.
A project member resigns or is assigned to another project.
A project member dies.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

8. Who Keeps An Engineering Notebook?
The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Who Keeps An Engineering Notebook?
Many collegiate engineering programs require their students to keep an engineering notebook during design capstone and lab-based engineering courses to
Develop better time management skills.
Improve documentation, sketching, research, and communication skills.
Produce a thorough and complete summary presentation and report.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

9. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Standard Page Layout
Bound quadrille-lined (grid) pages
Individually labeled page numbers
Location for designer’s signature and date
Location for witness signature and date
Locations for identifying contents continued from and to another page
Statement of the proprietary nature of the notebook
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

10. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Engineering Notebook Standards
1. Sequentially number pages in ink on the top outside edge of the page.
accessed 3/1/06
2. Bind notebooks.
Cannot add pages
Cannot remove pages without disrupting the binding
3. Do not remove pages from the engineering notebook for any reason.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

11. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Engineering Notebook Standards
4. Store the notebook in a safe location.
accessed 3/2/06
5. When the notebook is full, begin a new notebook and archive the old one.
6. Clearly label all figures and calculations.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

12. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Engineering Notebook Standards
accessed 3/1/06
accessed 3/1/06
7. Begin entries at the top of the page. Work left-to-right and top-to-bottom.
8. Do not use markers that will bleed through the paper.
9. Permanently attach inserted items (glue is preferred). Loose-leaf items do not belong in the notebook.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

13. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Engineering Notebook Standards
10. Clearly indicate the date for each entry.
11. Do not erase or remove information. Cross out, initial, and correct any mistakes.
12. Use consistent recording methods for ideas, references, test results, etc.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

14. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Engineering Notebook Standards
13. Sign and date each page as it is completed.
14. Ask colleague or mentor to corroborate the events and facts on each page and sign off as a witness.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

15. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Finally . . .
Be NEAT, be ACCURATE, be LEGIBILE, and be THOROUGH.
accessed 1/25/06
Jack Kilby (b.11/8/23 d.6/20/05)
Inventor of the integrated circuit,
displaying his engineering notebook.
Write as if you were speaking to a future engineer who is responsible for carrying on your work.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

16. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
Online Resources
Engineering notebooks can be purchased through one of the following online suppliers.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008

17. The Engineer’s Notebook – Extended Version
Principles Of EngineeringTM
Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 Energy Forms
References
Book Factory. (2008). Engineering notebook guidelines. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from com/special_info/engr_notebook_guidelines.html Horenstein, M. (1998). Engineering design a day in the life of four engineers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Hutchinson, J., & Karsnitz, J. R. (1994). Design and problem solving in technology. NY: Glencoe McGraw-Hill. Lockhart, S, D., & Johnson, C. M. (1999). Engineering design communication. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2008