The 8-Step Engineering Design Process

Hi engineers, are you familiar with the engineering design process?

This workflow will help you solve your engineering design problems through a step-by-step process. If you don’t have an existing process, you can use this as a starting template and simply edit it according to your organization’s needs.

The 8-Step Engineering Design Process

1.Identify the need or problem – to find the best solution, you have to define the problem first. How can someone’s quality of life be improved? Or how can we improve on a certain product? Ask these questions to help you define the problem that needs to be solved.

2.Research the need or problem – How have other people addressed the problem? What existing technologies can we use as part of the solution?

3.Develop possible solutions – brainstorm possible solutions, and feel free to use your imagination.

4.Select the best possible solution – Which of the solutions best meet the requirements? Is the solution realistically feasible? What solutions deserve further exploration?

5.Construct a prototype – model the solution in 2D and 3D. The prototype can address some or all of the features in the solutions.

6. Test and evaluate the solution – Does the solution work? Is it safe, reliable, and durable? Does the solution appeal to consumers?

7. Communicate the solution – Make a presentation that discusses the original problem and how the solution best meets it. Communicate the design to manufacturers, consumers and end-users.

8. Redesign – How can the design be improved based on things you learned from the test and usage? Redesign the solution to adapt to newly available technologies and methods.

Share if you find this very useful!