1. Class 4_1 Today’s topics: Work session on alternative designs and WOT Questions about DP?

3. Define the problem Specify product requirements Invent alternatives Evaluate the alternatives Engineer the details / analyze performance Test prototypes Report complete product description Model of the Design Process

4. Review Design rule-of-three: Always invent at least 3 alternative designs for any design or part of a design.

5. Observations… Smart does not equal creative Henry Ford story: time to think important

6. Creativity tips Don’t artificially restrict the problem Don’t stop with the first idea! Do use a variety of thinking “languages” (verbal, visual, mathematical, musical…) Do seek analogies, imagery, playfulness

7. Creativity tips Don’t fear looking stupid or unconventional Do get as much information as is reasonably available. Adding one new piece of information greatly improves the chance of coming up with a creative solution.

8. Other creativity tips Do let problems incubate (Requires “charging” first!) Do withhold judgment Do assume that creativity can be enhanced with practice

9. How to invent alternatives? Think… Use creative problem solving techniques Brainstorm Try a morphological chart

11. Brainstorming A creative idea generation technique Rules: 1.Work with a group, 3-6 best 2.Try to think of ideas quickly 3.Do not judge any ideas 4.Feed off of other’s ideas 5.Write down all ideas 6.Be playful, silly, “crazy” 7.Work through the mid-way slump

12. Evaluating alternatives If you have done your work well, you now have 3 feasible alternatives How do you decide which is best? a.Think… b.Discuss with colleagues c.Do some analysis/modeling/testing d.Weighted objectives table

13. Advantages of W.O.T approach Systematizes your thinking Also makes your decision easier to present to others Can be done collaboratively to try to arrive at a consensus decision Don’t “cheat”! Try not to bias your use of the process with preconceived decision

14. Working session today Please have your alternative designs and WOT available for inspection. Assignment: hand in the section of your design report that includes your prob. defn’, specs., alternative designs, and the WOT. Due Tues, Feb.4. Submit on paper, with design report template cover sheet.