RHS Tech Ed The Engineering Design Process

What Is Design?

What Is a Design Process? A design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve or satisfy human needs or wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice. – ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy

Design Process used in RHS 1.Define the Problem 2.Identifying Criteria and Specifying Constraints 3.Researching and Generating Ideas 4.Exploring Possibilities & Selecting an Approach 5.Designing & Making a Model or Prototype 6. Testing and Evaluating the Design Using Specifications 7. Communicating Processes and Results 8. Refining the Design

Identify a problem –Break the scenario down to its simplest ideas Validate the problem –Who says it is a problem? –Needs and wants –Prior solutions Justify the problem –Is the problem worth solving? 1. Define the Problem

2. Identifying Criteria and Specifying Constraints Create design requirements What do you want to accomplish Identify materials Identify tools Identify what can and cant be done

Research Brainstorm possible solutions Consider additional design goals Apply STEM principles Select an approach 3. Researching and Generating Ideas

4. Exploring Possibilities & Selecting an Approach List all ideas gathered Take each possibility and expand Evaluate plausibility Determine which idea is the best

5. Designing & Making a Model or Prototype Create detailed design solution Justify the solution path Technical Drawings

Construct a testable prototype Plan prototype testing –Performance –Usability –Durability Test prototype –collect test data –analyze test data 6. Testing and Evaluating the Design Using Specifications

Document the project –Project Portfolio Communicate the project –Formal Presentation 7. Communicating Processes and Results

8. Refining the Design Evaluate solution effectiveness Reflect on design –Recommend improvements Optimize/Redesign the solution –[Return to prior design process steps, if necessary] –Revise design documents