ME 132 Engineering Design Concept Worksheets Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core topics from the ME 132 Engineering Design concept worksheets, including design processes, decision analysis, scheduling tools, communication skills, and professional ethics.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

The essential objectives established for a course, such as applying the design process to engineering problems.

Engineering Design Process Steps

A systematic five-phase problem-solving framework consisting of Define, Explore, Select, Act, and Reflect.

Define Phase

The initial step in problem-solving that involves gathering data, consulting experts, defining objectives, identifying constraints, and setting technical specifications.

Objectives (O)

The desired goals, targets, or performance characteristics that an engineering design solution aims to achieve.

Constraints (C)

Mandatory boundaries, non-negotiable restrictions, or limitations that an engineering design must strictly adhere to.

Specifications (S)

Precise numerical values or precise parameters defining design requirements, such as restricting step deflection to less than $10\,mm$.

Dunker Diagram

A visual conceptualization method created during the Explore phase to map pathways for resolving a problem by comparing present states with desired states.

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

A decision-making method used during the Select phase to score and rank alternative options against weighted criteria such as price, consumer rating, warranty, and engine power.

Gantt Chart

A project scheduling tool constructed in the Act phase to display task sequences, durations, precedence dependencies, and timeline progress.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

A network diagram technique used to chart task dependencies and identify the longest continuous sequence of activities determining total project duration.

Presentation Outline

A structured list of the major headings and primary topics to be covered during a technical presentation.

Proper Eye Contact

A key delivery technique in public speaking achieved by making a sweeping glance across the audience from left to right and front to back of the room.

Citations and References

The mandatory attribution standard required when using external technical content or graphics within presentation materials.

Ethics-Legality Matrix

A two-by-two decision framework that evaluates actions across four distinct combinations of legal/illegal and ethical/unethical boundaries.