| Systematic Design Process |
| A Creative Process | ||
| Not as well defined as analysis | ||
| Usually iterative | ||
| A design evolves | ||
| 5 steps | ||
| Problem definition | ||
| Research | ||
| Generate alternatives | ||
| Analyze and select solution | ||
| Test and reevaluate | ||
| Documentation | ||
| Identify the need/opportunity | ||
| Difficult for truly new concepts | ||
| "There is nothing more difficult and dangerous, | ||
| or more doubtful of success, | ||
| than an attempt to introduce a new order of things." | ||
| Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (1513) | ||
| Perceived opportunity e.g. A quiet vacuum cleaner |
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| Address the real need | |||
| Research | |||
| Background knowledge | |||
| Who is your customer? | |||
| Don’t assume a design | |||
| Concise | |||
| Flexible | |||
| Not too specific (details always change) | |||
| Allow for innovation | |||
| Measurable Metrics | ||
| Cost | ||
| Performance | ||
| Safety | ||
| Environmental factors | ||
| Aesthetics | ||
| Reliability | ||
| Information categories | |||
| Existing solutions | |||
| Limitations | |||
| Advantages | |||
| Who is in this arena | |||
| Economic factors (willingness to pay) | |||
| Other factors (safety, aesthetics, environmental, etc.) | |||
| Information resources | |||
| Technical journals/Textbooks | |||
| Library catelog | |||
| Industrial Indices | |||
| The Internet | |||
| Patent offices (US and others) | |||
| Creativity | |||
| Curiosity (don’t fear the unknown) | |||
| Openness to new experiences | |||
| Take risks | |||
| Multiple vantage points | |||
| Bottom-up (detail driven) | |||
| Top Down (See th whole picture) | |||
| Lateral Thinking | |||
| Concentration (“Focus Daniel-san) | |||
| Teamwork | ||
| Variety of backgrounds | ||
| Differing points-of-view | ||
| Differing skill sets | ||
| Brainstorming | ||
| Acceptance of initial ideas – don’t critique | ||
| Praise innovative ideas | ||
| Stress quantity | ||
| Combine ideas | ||
| Record everything … analyze later | ||
Step 4: Analysis and Selection
| Functional analysis (does it do what is required?) |
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| Ergonomics (does it fit the user?) |
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| Safety and reliability (don’t feed the attorneys) |
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| Economics (how much does it cost?) | |
| Engineering analysis (will it survive in the real-world?) |
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| Decision Process (use a decision matrix) |
| Prototype | ||
| Test new concepts for feasibility (reduce risk) | ||
| Get feedback from customer | ||
| Concurrent Engineering | ||
| Do things in parallel (take some risks to shorten schedules) |
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| Project Planning – use a tool (e.g. Microsoft Project) |
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| Documentation (as you design … not after) | ||
| Drawings | ||
| Memoranda | ||
| Technical Reports | ||
| Presentations | ||
| Intellectual Property (patents, copyrights, secrets … Oh My) |
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| A Creative Process | ||
| Not as well defined as analysis | ||
| Usually iterative | ||
| A design evolves | ||
| 5 steps | ||
| Problem definition | ||
| Research | ||
| Generate alternatives | ||
| Analyze and select solution | ||
| Test and reevaluate | ||
| Documentation | ||