Introduction to the Engineering Design Process

Vocabulary flashcards based on the engineering design process discussed in the lecture.

Design Process

A series of steps that engineers follow to come up with a solution to a problem.

Stakeholder

Any person or group that has an interest in the outcome of a project.

Universal Design

Design principles that aim to make products usable by everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Target Design Specifications

Precise requirements that a design must meet to satisfy the needs of stakeholders.

Iteration

The process of repeating steps with the aim of improving the outcome.

Needs

Stakeholder interests that must be taken into account during the design process.

Constraints

Limitations that affect the design process, such as budget and materials.

Validation

The process of ensuring that the design meets all performance specifications.

Prototyping

Creating a preliminary model of a product to test and validate design concepts.

Evaluation Criteria

Standards used to assess the effectiveness or quality of the design.

Screening

The process of eliminating design ideas that do not meet specific requirements.

Ranking

Ordering design concepts based on their merit relative to requirements and goals.

Scoring

Assigning values to options based on their performance against set criteria.

Concept Generation

The stage in the design process where various ideas and solutions are created.

Clarifying the Problem

The process of understanding the core issues and requirements before developing solutions.

Stakeholder Engagement

Involvement of stakeholders in providing input and feedback during the design process.

Needs Assessment

The evaluation of what is required by the stakeholders for the project.

High-Fidelity Prototype

A detailed and polished version of a prototype that closely resembles the final product.

Low-Fidelity Prototype

A basic and simpler version of a prototype used to explore concepts.

Feedback

Information provided by stakeholders or team members about a design or process.

Design Brief

A document that outlines the goals, objectives, and constraints of the design project.

Brainstorming

A technique used to generate a wide range of ideas for a design problem.

Concept Selection

The process of choosing the best concept from various options based on evaluation criteria.

Prototyping Methods

Different approaches to creating prototypes, including physical and digital models.

Quantifiable Specifications

Requirements that can be measured and tested during the validation process.

Personas

Fictional characters created to represent different user types for the product being designed.

Empathy Mapping

A tool used to visualize the user's experience and feelings about the design.

User Testing

The process of testing a design with real users to gather feedback and insights.

What are the typical five steps of the Design Process?

1. Clarify the Problem: Understand the core issues, needs, and constraints through needs assessment and stakeholder engagement.
2. Generate Concepts: Brainstorm various ideas and potential solutions, aiming for a wide range of possibilities.
3. Select a Concept: Evaluate and choose the best idea based on established evaluation criteria, screening, ranking, and scoring.
4. Prototype: Create preliminary models (low-fidelity or high-fidelity) to test and visualize the chosen concept.
5. Test & Validate: Evaluate the prototype against target design specifications and user needs through user testing and feedback, often leading to iteration.