Engineering Problem Solving Exam 1

Step 1

Define the problem

Step 2

Assemble Data

Step 3

Identify constraints and criteria

Step 4

Develop Alternatives

Step 5

Select Solution

Step 6

Communicate Results

How do we define the problem?

Think of what we want to achieve

Steps Acronym

PACASC

Engineers use ________ to judge whether the alternative is a viable solution.

Constraints

Which step?

You use the constraints and criteria to evaluate a device.

Step 5 (Select Solution)

Which step?

You review plans and specifications on how to build an existing similar device.

Step 2 (Assemble Data)

Which step?

You create plans and specifications on how to build the device.

Step 6 (Communicate Results)

Examples include cost, legal issues, materials that can be used, and the time frame. The "Musts" for a project.

Constraints

Examples include ease of operation, appearance, and cheap costs. The "Would Likes" for a project.

Criteria

Engineers use _______ to judge alternative solutions on a qualitative or quantitative basis.

Criteria

What does it take to develop original and innovative solutions?

Knowledge (strong technical background) and creativity (an ability to imagine and innovate)

Components of this step include "analysis of alternatives" and "evaluate based on constraints and criteria"

Step 5 (Select Solution)

Components of this step include "applying technical knowledge, economics, and common sense to determine performance capabilities" and "redefining the problem/changing criteria and constraints".

Step 5 (Select Solution)

Components of this step include plans and specifications, and scheduling for the project.

Step 6 (Communicate Results)

Engineering Attributes

Benefit humanity, apply science, ethics, art, sustainability

Multiplication and division uses the minimum number of _______

Sig digs

Addition and subtraction uses the minimum ________

Precision (decimal place)

The highest priority canon of the Code of Ethics is...

Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public

Assumptions you pretty much need

Steady state, conservative substances, steady flow, constituents and subsystems

No time component

Batch process

Has a time component

Rate-Flow Process

Total Number of Equations

(1 system + # subsystems)(# constituents + 1)