Many engineers employ an organized engineering design process to come up with solutions to customer requirements. The process helps to structure projects, and also encourages creativity. The objective data collected during the process will help to reduce bias and encourage better decision-making. The engineering process also teaches that failures and setbacks can be valuable sources of data for future projects.
The first step in the process of engineering design is to define the problem. Engineers must be clear on the purpose of their product to accomplish and the reason they require it. This is essential for the rest of your engineering process.
After the issue has been established, it is essential to gather as much information regarding the solution to the need as possible. This can be accomplished through research, asking questions and brainstorming ideas. This is where engineering creativity shines through and is where the most innovative ideas can be developed.
Engineers must identify potential solutions and evaluate their pros and cons before choosing the best. The solution must also be able to meet the requirements of the project (e.g. cost, materials, and space).
Once the best solution is selected, it is recommended to design an early prototype of the item or equipment. Then tests can be run to see if the product is performing what it’s supposed do. It is possible to shorten the development time of the entire project by identifying problems in the early stages. This also saves money on fixing problems later.