Many engineers use the structured design process to offer solutions to customers’ needs. The process provides structure to projects and promotes creativity. The objective raw data collected during the process can reduce bias and aid in better decision making. Additionally the process of engineering teaches that setbacks and failures could be valuable sources of future data.
Problem definition is the initial step in the engineering design process. Engineers must be clear about what their product will do and why it is required. This is a crucial step for the rest of the engineering process.
After the problem has been identified, it is vital to gather as much knowledge about the solution to the need as you can. This can be accomplished by research, asking questions and thinking about ideas. This is where engineering creativity truly shines and where the most innovative solutions result.
Engineers must identify possible solutions, analyze the pros and cons of each option, and select the most suitable. The solution should also be able to meet the project constraints (e.g. Materials, cost space, time, etc.) are all important factors.
Once the best solution has been determined, it is recommended to design an initial prototype of the product or equipment. Then, tests can be conducted to determine whether the product is performing as it is supposed to do. It is possible to shorten the time needed to develop a project by identifying flaws at an early stage. This can save costs on fixing issues later.