The engineering design process is a systematic, methodical approach to design and manufacturing engineering that considers the design requirements and the existing technology to create the optimal design.
As we all know, engineering is a highly technical field, and the work is extremely complex. The design process can take years to complete.
This is why we must build a solid foundation early in our careers. The design process is the foundation for everything that comes after.
Design is how you go from an idea to a finished product. The key to a successful design process is understanding what goes into it and why it matters.
In this blog post, we’ll explain the design process, from brainstorming through ideation, creation, and iteration. We’ll also show you why it’s important to understand this process and how it’s different from other disciplines.
In today’s world, many of us work in a job that requires us to design something. We might create an app or a website, but it’s almost always creating something. The thing we are developing could be software, hardware, or maybe something that doesn’t have a physical form. Regardless of what it is, the design process is still the same.
What is an engineering design process?
A design process is the sequence of steps an engineer takes to develop a final solution. The method includes all of the activities that occur during the creation of an object, from the initial idea to the final result.
Design processes vary depending on the industry. Engineers in electrical engineering may design circuits, software engineers may design web apps, and mechanical engineers may design cars. Regardless of the field, there is a specific order to each step in the design process.
Generally, an engineer starts with a problem statement, develops a concept solution, designs a prototype, implements the prototype, tests the prototype, analyzes the results, iterates and improves the resolution, and finally presents the final product.
The design process is broken down into four phases, although sometimes, it is more complex than this.
How does an engineering design process work?
If you’re a designer looking to build a solid foundation for your career, you need to understand how the design process works.
The first step is to define the problem you’re trying to solve.
A good starting point would be to ask yourself, “What am I trying to achieve?”
Once you’ve answered that question, you can identify the stakeholders.
Who will benefit from the solution?
As a designer, you must consider the people who will use your design. What will they gain from your plan? Who will be negatively affected by it?
Now that you’ve identified the stakeholders, you must map out what they want from the solution.
Next, you must break down the problem into smaller tasks.
The idea is that you’re trying to break down the problem into small, manageable tasks.
This will allow you to work out a plan of attack and provide clear steps.
Next, you need to identify your goals.
These goals should reflect the stakeholders’ needs and requirements.
For example, if you’re designing a website, your goals might be as follows:
- To generate leads and sales
- To drive more traffic to the site
- To increase conversions
- To grow the brand
And so on.
Next, you need to identify the requirements.
This is the ‘what’ of your design.
What will you need to include in the design?
For example, if you’re designing a website, you must determine the page’s colors, fonts, and layout.
You’ll also need to consider whether you need a responsive or mobile-friendly design.
Finally, it would be best if you thought about the constraints.
These are the ‘how’ of your design.
This is where you need to focus on the timeframes, budget, and resources available.
If you’re working on a large project, you might need to factor in deadlines, scope, and milestones.
In the next section, you need to identify the alternatives.
The engineering design process steps
Several steps come before you begin designing something. Let’s look at a few of the most important ones.
Startup
You need to plan the design process from the very beginning. The startup is where you define your requirements and develop a basic prototype.
Research
You need to research the market and determine what needs to be built.
Ideation
This is the fun part! You get to brainstorm ideas and think about building something to solve a problem.
Design
This is where you come up with your vision and make it happen.
Build
You’ve devised a design; now it’s time to build.
Test
It’s time to put your new creation into the real world and see how it works.
Deploy
This is the part where you launch your new product and collect feedback.
Measure
Finally, you measure and adjust.
The engineering design process can be incredibly complex. However, when you break it down into these steps, you can see that it’s quite simple.
The engineering design process flow
We are going to build the engineering design process in the following steps.
Step 1: Conceptualize the idea
Step 2: Design the idea
Step 3: Design the product
Step 4: Build the product
Step 5: Test the product
Step 6: Release the product
Step 7: Scale up the product
Step 8: Maintain the product
Step 9: Sell the product
Step 10: Develop the market
Step 11: Migrate the market
Step 12: Expand the market
Step 13: Manage the market
Step 14: Develop a business model
Step 15: Manage the business model
Step 16: Sell the business model
Step 17: Develop the business
Step 18: Grow the business
Step 19: Exit the business
Step 20: Evaluate the idea
Frequently asked questions about the Engineering Design Process
Q: Why do engineers design their projects when they are already working on them?
A: Because we need new ideas and new solutions to solve the problems that exist in the real world. We do this by developing our thoughts and presenting these designs to other engineers, designers, and managers so that they can decide which one they like and want to use.
Q: How do you make the best choice between two similar designs?
A: The most important thing is to look at the whole system. If there is any part that doesn’t look good, it will make the whole thing look bad. So we try to find out what the problem is and fix it.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about being an engineer?
A: Engineers are not always good at making people happy or getting along with people. But I chose to be an engineer because I love solving problems, and I feel.
Top myths about the Engineering Design Process
- The engineering design process is not necessary.
- Engineering design is always expensive.
- The engineering design process cannot be reduced.
- Engineering design is not useful to a student.
Conclusion
It begins with the requirements gathering phase, where the engineer collects information about what they want their product to be able to do.
It continues with the conceptualization phase, where the engineer will consider the technical aspects of the product and then sketch out a design.
The next phase is the modeling phase, where the engineer models the product so they can test it and see if it will work.
Next, the testing phase occurs. Engineers will use prototypes to test their designs, ensuring they meet all requirements.
Finally, in the production phase, engineers will produce and sell the product to the public.
