ES2631 Critique and Communication of Thinking and Design

AY2022/2023 Semester 1

Week 9
Engineering Conceptual Design

Lesson Objectives
By the end of this week’s lesson, you will be able to:
1. Recite the seven general steps of engineering design.
2. Apply the five steps to an engineering conceptual design project.

Recap
Based on this week’s lecture:
1. What are the seven general steps of engineering design?
2. What steps are not needed for the Engineering Conceptual Design Project (Assignment 4)?

Step 1
Work in your project team to identify the problem you wish to focus on:
1. What problems do not yet have an engineering solution?
2. What existing solutions are not satisfactorily meeting the needs they are meant to address?

Problems with no solution Solutions that are not satisfactory

Step 2
Research the problem with a focus on the target users and existing solutions. Share the problem
that you have identified with the class, as well as who the target users are.

Target users Existing solution(s)

 ES2361 Critique and Communication of Thinking and Design

Steps 3 & 4
Brainstorm possible solutions and select one that not only meets the technical requirements, but
also shows ethical considerations.

Possible solutions Technical Requirements Ethical Considerations

Step 5
Design the solution.
1. Write a detailed description of the problem.
2. Write a detailed description of the solution and how it solves the problem.
3. Prepare a visual version of how the solution solves the problem.
4. Use the adapted version of Paul et al’s (2019) ‘Checklist for Engineering Reasoning’ (see the
appendix) to ensure that your solution shows critical thought and effectively addresses the
problem.

PROBLEM SOLUTION

VISUAL

2
 ES2361 Critique and Communication of Thinking and Design

Work Schedule Example

Here is a sample work schedule that you can adapt for your own use. The task of each week should
be broken down into smaller activities, where different team members could take on different roles,
where appropriate.

Wee Task I/C Remarks/ Deadlines

k
9  Identify and research the problem
10  Brainstorm solutions and select one
11  Design the solution in detail
 Prepare for the presentation
12  Conference with the tutor
 Prepare for the presentation
13  Presentation of the project

References
Paul, R., Niewoehner, R. and Elder, L. (2019). A checklist for engineering reasoning. In The Thinker’s
Guide to Engineering Reasoning (2nd ed, 10). Rowman & Littlefield.
Science Buddies. (n.d.). Engineering design process. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-
projects/engineering-design-process/engineering-design-process-steps

3
 ES2361 Critique and Communication of Thinking and Design

Appendix
Checklist for Engineering Reasoning (Adapted from Paul et al, 2019)

1. All engineering reasoning expresses a purpose.

 Have we distinguished our purpose from related purposes?
 Have we checked periodically to be sure we are still on target?
 Have we chosen realistic and achievable purposes?

2. All engineering reasoning seeks to figure something out, to settle some question, solve some
engineering problem.
 Have we stated the question at issue clearly and precisely?
 Have we expressed the question in several ways to clarify its meaning and scope?
 Have we divided the question into sub-questions?
 Have we determined if the question has one right answer, or requires reasoning from
more than one hypothesis or point of view?

3. All engineering reasoning requires assumptions.

 Have we clearly identified our assumptions and determined whether they are justifiable?
 Have we considered how our assumptions are shaping our point of view?
 Have we considered which of our assumptions might be reasonably questioned?

4. All engineering reasoning is done from some perspective or point of view.

 Have we identified our specific point of view?
 Have we considered the point of view of other stakeholders?
 Have we striven to be fairminded in evaluating all relevant points of view?

5. All engineering reasoning is based on data, information, and evidence.

 Have we validated our data sources?
 Have we restricted our claims to those supported by the data?
 Have we searched for data that opposes our position as well as alternative theories?
 Have we ensured that all data used is clear, accurate, and relevant to the question at
issue?
 Have we ensured that we have gathered sufficient data?

6. All engineering reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, concepts and theories.
• Have we identified key concepts and explained them clearly?
• Have we considered alternative concepts or alternative definitions of concepts?
• Have we distorted ideas to fit our agenda?

7. All engineering reasoning entails inferences or interpretations by which we draw conclusions

and give meaning to engineering data and work.
 Have we inferred only what the data supports?
 Have we checked inferences for their internal and external consistency?
 Have we identified assumptions that led to our conclusions?

8. All engineering reasoning leads somewhere or has implications and consequences.

 Have we traced the implications that follow from the data and from our reasoning?
 Have we searched for negative as well as positive implications (technical, social,
environmental, financial, ethical)?
 Have we considered all significant implications?

4
ES2361 Critique and Communication of Thinking and Design