The engineering process is a set of steps engineers take to design functional products and processes. It is an iterative method that can be used to design prototypes and enhance existing solutions. It’s also an excellent technique to improve your problem-solving capabilities and to develop the “design under constraints” mentality. The engineering design process is similar to the scientific method, however engineers utilize creativity and design.
Identify the Problem
Engineers first must identify the requirements for the project to be successful. This requires a lot of brainstorming, and often requires the engineer to take into account the constraints (e.g. when generating possible solutions, engineers must consider constraints (e.g. time, materials, and tools). This step requires an engineer to assess all possible solutions by identifying weaknesses and strengths, and then selecting the most suitable solution for achieving the objective of the project.
Get Ideas
Engineers can employ different approaches to solve problems including brainstorming and discussion to CAD modeling and animation. The process of comparing and analyzing the resulting solutions to the problem specifications can help determine the best solution.
After the final solution has been decided, it’s time to create the prototype. This can be as simple as sketching a design on paper or as complicated as a working model built using the CAD software. This step allows the engineer to test out the finished product to determine whether it fulfills all the objectives he has set for it.