http://emjay-eng.com/steps-of-the-engineering-design-process

Many engineers utilize the structured engineering design process to come up with solutions to customer needs. The process helps to structure projects, and also encourages creativity. The objective raw data collected during the process can help to reduce bias and encourage better decision-making. The engineering process also helps to teach that setbacks and failures can be useful sources of data for future projects.

The first step in the process of engineering design is problem identification. Engineers must be clear on the purpose of their product and why it is required. This step is critical for the rest of the engineering process.

After defining the problem It’s crucial to collect as much information as possible regarding the solution. This can be done through research, asking critical questions and thinking about ideas. This is where engineering acuity shines through and where most inventive ideas can be generated.

Engineers must identify possible solutions, then evaluate the pros and cons of each, and choose the best. The solution must also be able to meet the requirements of the project (e.g. materials, cost, time and space).

Once the best solution has been determined, it is an ideal idea to create an early prototype of the item or equipment. Then, tests can be conducted to find out how well the product can do what it’s supposed to do. It is possible to shorten the total time to develop a product by identifying flaws in the early stages. This can save money on fixing problems later.