The Engineering Process

An engineering process is a set of steps that engineers typically follow to solve problems. It is highly iterative, and parts of the process can be repeated several times in an entire project. The exact framing and articulation of the steps that get iterated will vary.

Research is the first step. This includes locating data that can be used to identify needs and the limitations. It is an essential part of the engineering design process as it allows engineers to determine the best solution to an issue.

When researchers have enough information they can start brainstorming ideas to solve the problem. This can be done a variety of ways and is where engineering creativity truly thrives. This is also the stage where the potential solutions are examined and compared. This could include simulation studies, constructing decision matrixes, and building http://emjay-eng.com/steps-of-the-engineering-design-process/ prototypes for comparison.

In this stage students choose one of their most creative ideas and create a plan to create it. Students then build the prototype using the materials specified and then test it to ensure it meets their performance criteria. Students may need to test their prototype and revise it to ensure that it performs as expected.

This is a great method to educate students about the importance of problem solving and iteration. It is typical for engineers to come up with a solution, test it and then identify the next problem they must address. The process continues until the engineer can come up with the solution that is in line with their expectations.