Problem Identification
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Problem Identification
First step in the Design Process is with ...
An Identification of a Problem
An Observed Need...
A New Idea for a...
Product
System
Problem Identification
Questions to Answer
Who ? - would need it
What ? - is needed
When ? - is it needed
Where ? - is it needed
Why ? - is it needed
How Many ? - are needed
Problem Identification
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Problem Statement/Definition:
These faucet handles look nice, but they are not
functional when your hands are wet and soapy.
Redesign these handles so that when a persons hands
are wet and soapy, they can easily be gripped.
Problem Identification
Market Research
Marketing department asked to try and find out how
much of a demand there is for the proposed new product.
Accomplished through the use of surveys.
Prepare graphs and charts to visually
results of the surveys.
present the
Problem Solving
Design Brief
A clear and concise description of the problem.
Identification of the needs to solve the problem.
List any design constraints (limits), such as
function, appearance, time, legal issues, cost, etc.
Problem Solving
Identification & Classification of
Design Specification & Constraints
Specifications & Constraints include the following areas:
Aesthetics
Energy
Time
Materials
Information
People
Capital
Ethics
Tools &
Machines
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Aesthetics
Express what is known about taste and appeal in a
certain market.
What look will speak to the consumer?
Example:
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Time Constraints
Will there be enough time to develop and implement the
solution?
Examples
If the product is delayed for six months, what other
products that fill this need will be on the market?
What new materials or processes will be available that
could make this design obsolete?
Is the aesthetic appeal rapidly changing in this area so
that the product will look dated before it is ever released?
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Information
Once the problem has been defined, the design team
generates ideas for solving it.
Have you ever thought of a great idea for a new product only
to find out later someone else is already making it?
When you are designing a device or system, the first thing to
check is what designs may already be in use.
The history of a product or concept helps to define the known
limitations.
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Information
A thorough literature search for similar products and
background information is a good starting place.
It can keep you from reinventing the wheel and provide
inspiration that improves the quality of the ideas you generate.
It is always a good idea to research and collect data about the
subject of your design.
Some places to look for history and existing information are:
Patent Searches
World Wide Web
Consumer Surveys
Competition Reviews
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Information
PATENT SEARCHES and the WORLD WIDE WEB are a huge
source of existing information.
The U.S. patent file contains around 5 million patents and is
the worlds largest storehouse of technological information.
Searching on the Internet for information related to your
design is a great starting point for more research.
Patents can be accessed on the Internet.
Search the U.S. Patent Office
at:
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Information
Another great place to get information is from the consumer.
CONSUMER SURVEYS are conducted frequently.
Marketing surveys and consumer questionnaires provide
important feedback. Think about all those product registration
cards you have filled out.
Why does the manufacturer need all of that information ?
Who buys their products
How to price products
Features that consumers desire
Problems they could solve or improvements that could be
made
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Capital
Is there going to be enough money to fund the product?
Generally, the greater quantity produced, the lower the
overall unit cost of the product.
Many things affect the cost of a product, such as
Materials
Availability of Raw Materials
Manufacturing
Reliability of Supply
Methods
Equipment costs
Labor costs
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Tool
& Machines
Are there sufficient tooling and machinery to produce the
product?
If a large amount of equipment has to be purchased to
produce the part, it might not be worth it.
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Energy
If the product requires energy, what type will be used ?
Electricity:
Other:
AC or DC
Battery or Cord
Fossil Fuels: Oil
Gasoline
Natural Gas
Propane
Gravity
Wind
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Materials
A large number of factors will determine the material
used for the manufacture of the product.
Strength
Elasticity
Ductility
Hardness
Brittleness
Damping
Toughness
Elasticity
Wearing
Corrosion
Toxicity
Machinability Forgeability
Formability
Castability
Weldability
Temperature Range
Appearance
Bearing Characteristics
Fatigue
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Materials
In many cases the function of the part will
determine the specific material used for
manufacture.
In other cases, there is more discretion in the
choice of material.
In some cases, the availability of some materials
can influence its selection, as well as, its properties.
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
People
The make-up of a companies workforce can also
play a part in the decision making process in the
manufacture of a product or part.
A major problem that is common in many
industries is the lack of an educated and trainable
workforce.
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Leonardo da Vinci writes in his autobiographical
Ethics
notes that he discovered how to build a submarine
which has a special application for naval warfare.
This underwater boat would allow the user to sneak
into a busy harbor without being seen and drill holes
in the bottom of ships. History records, however, that
during his lifetime he withheld disclosure of this
invention because he believed that it would be an
abomination to mankind.
Victor Paschikis
Conference on Engineering Ethics, American Society of
Civil Engineers, New York, 1975
Problem Identification
Specifications & Constraints
Ethics
Ethics is the study of standards of right and wrong dealing
with morals, conduct, duty, fairness, and judgment.
A set of ethical values for the engineer might include the
following:
- Obeying the law
- Keeping promises, contracts, and employment agreements
- Respecting the rights of others
- Being fair
- Preventing harm to others
- Helping others in need
- Helping others in the application of these values
