Design Process
Design Process
The engineering design process is a common series of steps that engineers use in creating functional
products and processes. The process is highly iterative - parts of the process often need to be repeated
many times before another can be entered - though the part(s) that get iterated and the number of such
cycles in any given project may vary.
It is a decision making process (often iterative) in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and
engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective. Among the
fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis,
analysis, construction, testing and evaluation
8 Build a Prototype
A prototype is an operating version of a solution. Often it is made with different materials than the final
version, and generally it is not as polished. Prototypes are a key step in the development of a final
solution, allowing the designer to test how the solution will work.
For detailed help with this step, use these resources:
Prototyping
9 Test and Redesign
The design process involves multiple iterations and redesigns of your final solution. You will likely test
your solution, find new problems, make changes, and test new solutions before settling on a final
design.
10.Communicate Results
To complete your project, communicate your results to others in a final report and/or a display board.
Professional engineers always do the same, thoroughly documenting their solutions so that they can be
manufactured and supported.
ITERATION
Iteration is the repetition of a process in order to generate a (possibly unbounded) sequence of outcomes.
The sequence will approach some end point or end value. Each repetition of the process is a single
iteration, and the outcome of each iteration is then the starting point of the next iteration.
Iterative design is a design methodology based on a cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analyzing, and
refining a product or process. Based on the results of testing the most recent iteration of a design, changes
and refinements are made. This process is intended to ultimately improve the quality and functionality of
a design. In iterative design, interaction with the designed system is used as a form of research for
informing and evolving a project, as successive versions, or iterations of a design are implemented.