Many engineers use an organized engineering design process to provide solutions to meet the demands of customers. The process helps to structure projects, and also encourages creativity. The raw data objectively collected in the process can be used to reduce errors and lead to more accurate decision-making. The process of engineering also shows that setbacks and failures can be valuable sources of information for future projects.
The first step in the engineering design process is defining the problem. Engineers must be clear about what their product is going to do and the reasons for its existence. This step is crucial for the rest of the engineering process.
Once the issue is defined it is important to gather as much data about the solution as is possible. This can be achieved by conducting research, asking questions that are important and thinking about ideas. This is where engineering creativity truly shines and where the most innovative solutions be found.
Engineers should identify possible solutions, weigh the pros and cons of each, and choose the best. The solution should also be able meet the requirements of the project (e.g. Materials, cost, space, and time are all important factors.
It is a good idea to create a prototype after picking the best solution. Then, tests can be conducted to determine if the product is able to do what it’s supposed to do. It is possible to shorten the total time to develop a product by identifying issues in the early stages. This can save money in the future on fixing issues later.