THE ENGINEERING DESIGN

PROCESS
Subtitle
Introduction
• A systematic approach to engineering design that uses the
elements of the Design for Six Sigma philosophy may be viewed
as consisting of eight steps:
1. Define the problem.
2. Generate alternative solutions.
3. Evaluate and select a solution.
4. Detail the design.
5. Defend the design.
6. Manufacture and test the design.
7. Evaluate the performance of the design.
8. Prepare the final design report.
Design Teams
• The design process involves a series of creative steps that lead
to a solution to a problem.
• In engineering, the problem often involves designing a new
product that accomplishes a task that meets customer needs.
• An inventor can sometimes carry out these steps alone, but in
large companies, design problems are solved by teams of
trained engineers, technicians, marketing personnel, and
sometimes lawyers, called design teams.
• While all teams are groups of people, not all groups are teams. Team
members must work together toward a common goal, whereas
members of a group only share common interests or characteristics.
• Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a team and a
group.
• Engineering students do not always realize that their future success
depends on how well they work together in a team.
• Everyone on a design team comes from a different background. They
have different strengths, cultural values, philosophies, and work
ethics.
• Yet they must join to form a coherent and productive group.
HOW TO MANAGE A DESIGN TEAM PROJECT?
• Design team project management is a carefully planned and
organized effort to accomplish a specific project.
• Project management includes developing and implementing a
plan that defines the project goals, specifies how and by whom
the goals will be achieved, identifies needed resources, and
develops budgets and timelines.
• Project management is usually the responsibility of an individual
team leader.
• When the project team members have been identified, the team
selects one of its members to be the project manager.
The Project Manager
• The project manager has the responsibility of guiding the team in a
professional, organized, and timely manner.
• The project manager is also responsible for meeting deadlines and
ensuring that the team members are carrying fair workloads.
• Successful project management involves the following:
• Understand the project’s goals. You should be able to state the goals of your
project in a single sentence.
• Engage all team members. Subdivide the work into individual work
assignments, and make sure that everyone knows what he or she is
responsible for to meet the project goals.
• Keep the project moving forward. Work methodically to meet your
benchmarks; don’t wait until the last minute and rush to meet a deadline.
EFFECTIVE TEAMING
• Working in teams on a design project is both a joy and a
challenge.
• While there is a sense of security in knowing that others are
venturing into the unknown alongside you, the unpredictability
of human interactions can be as perplexing as the design itself.
• To reduce the risk of ineffective teaming, rules of conduct are
presented.
• These are well-accepted best practices based on observations
of effective teams
• Several advantages accrue from attacking a design project in teams:
1. Design requires a wide range of skills and areas of knowledge.
• No one person is experienced enough to pursue every unfamiliar design challenge in
isolation.
• Teaming provides an opportunity to expand the talents and life experiences brought to
bear on the design problem.
2. If done right, teaming serves to keep personal biases in check.
3. More people should mean that more is accomplished in a shorter period,
although it is puzzling to often see team members standing by politely as
one team member does all the work.
• When best practices are followed, a team is greater than the sum of
its parts.
Basic Rules of Teaming
1. Assign clear roles and work assignments
2. Foster good communication between team members
3. Share leadership responsibilities
4. Make team decisions by consensus
Assign clear roles and work assignments
• A few things are best done as a team, such as brainstorming
and evaluation of concepts.
• Most of the time, it will pay off if everyone has his or her own
assigned responsibilities and tasks to which each is held
accountable by the team.
• These tasks should be assigned or updated at the end of each
team meeting.
Foster good communication between team
members
• An atmosphere of trust and respect should be maintained, in
which team members feel free to express their ideas without
retribution.
• That trust extends to allowing for civilized disagreement,
delicately done so as not to suppress ideas or discourage
participation.
• Everyone should participate in the discussions.
Share leadership responsibilities
• If there is a designated team leader, that person should
empower the other team members with significant leadership
responsibilities.
• This gives those students a strong sense of ownership in the
project.
• At the same time, team members must be willing to step
forward to assume leadership roles.
Make team decisions by consensus
• Teams can make decisions in one of three ways:
1. The team leader makes the decision;
2. Discussions continue until everyone agrees; or
3. After discussions are exhausted, the team takes a vote.
• Those who disagree with the outcome of the vote are then
asked if they can put their opinions aside and move forward in
the best interests of the team.
• In a college-level design project the best ways to make decisions
are (2) and (3), which are examples of decision making by
consensus.
TEAM LEADERSHIP
• Here are some qualities that a good team leader should have:
Honesty
Ability to delegate
Good communication skills
A sense of humor
Confidence
Commitment
A positive attitude
Creativity