Identify the steps of the engineering design process.

Identification should include the following steps:

• Identify the need or opportunity for an engineering solution.
• Define an engineering design problem.
• Identify the criteria (i.e., requirements) and constraints (i.e., restrictions/limits) of the design problem.
• Research potential solutions to the design problem.
• Generate (i.e., brainstorm) multiple solutions to the design problem.
• Sketch the solutions to the design problem.
• Evaluate the requirements and constraints of each solution to the design problem.
• Justify an optimal solution to the design problem.
• Create a model or prototype for the chosen solution to the design problem, using appropriate materials and processes.
• Determine the objectives for an engineering test of the solution to the design problem.
• Test the solution to the design problem, using mathematical, conceptual, and/or physical modeling, simulating, and optimizing.
• Evaluate the test results.
• Formulate an alternate solution to the design problem, if needed.
• Test the alternate solution, if needed.
• Present the final project report.
• Document the final project report.

Process/Skill Questions:

• How does the engineering design process differ from the scientific method?
• What is the most crucial step in the engineering design process? Why?
• Why can the engineering design steps be completed in more than one order?
• How would one simplify this engineering design process to fewer steps?