The Engineering Design Process

The Engineering Design Process are steps engineers and other problem-solvers follow when trying to solve a problem that requires designing a solution for it. It is methodical and clear to follow. However, there is no standard/universal process. While the beginning is usually a problem and it ends with a solution, the steps taken in between can be different. Yet, no matter which process, the Engineering Design Process is always iterative and not linear. This means following the process is not a straight path; often people have to go back some steps or repeat the entire process again to create a solution that meets their criteria.

While there are many variations of the Engineering Design Process, we recommend using one that aligns with the criteria for the Engineering Design Notebook on the rubric. Two of the major processes that fit this are the 5-Step Engineering Design Process and the 9-Step Engineering Design Process

For our team, we decided to use the 9-Step Engineering Design Process as it was the more clear and direct to use for us. 

Explanation of the Steps

Step 1) Define the Problem 

In order for a team to start solving a problem, they will need to define what it exactly is. First, they do this by analyzing the problem. The team can thoroughly review the game manual, taking notes on important rules and regulations. This research can contribute to a Game Analysis, which focuses on what the game is and  how it is played. From there, the team can set up a criteria and constraints list, which helps further clarify the problem aligned with their own abilities and limits. Defining the Problem is an important step as it will allow teams to start planning their robot.  

Step 2) Brainstorm

After Define the Problem comes Brainstorm. Brainstorming  is a crucial step in the Engineering Design Process because it preserves teammates' original ideas. Specifically, these ideas are saved through various forms of media, like sketches, words, and even CADs. As teams go further with the Engineering Design Process, they can continuously refer to preserved ideas from this Brainstorm to aid in problem-solving. So, the step Brainstorm ensures that teams’ designs are creative and innovative. 

Step 3) Research

Once a team brainstorms potential ideas for a robot’s design, the next step is Research. Media to research include different robot designs, subsystems, and mechanisms found in various sources, for instance, YouTube or the VEX Library.  A team can also search for the best material to use for a team's robot during this process. This will be beneficial to the team as they can take interest in researched ideas, like a specific mechanism for later on in the Engineering Design Process.

Step 4) Develop Ideas

The fourth step in the Engineering Design Process is Develop Ideas, when each individual person on the team uses the knowledge gained in the past steps to come up with an idea that fits the criteria and constraints of the challenge. This is important to the process, because multiple ideas allow individuals on the team to see things from multiple perspectives. The ideas developed should meet the criteria that the team has come up with which will be significant in the next step.

Step 5) Choose the Best Idea 

Choosing the Best Idea  is the fifth step, and is crucial for the team to begin building. It allows the team to make a final consensus on their robot's build. They can do this by creating decision matrices, which allows the team to view how each individual idea meets the criteria the team set up in Define the Problem. Design matrices will include multiple aspects that contribute to an efficient and robust robot. Though the robot may experience changes throughout the Engineering Design Process, Choosing the Best Idea will help keep the final outcome aligned to the team’s criteria.

Step 6) Build Model or Prototype

Build Model or Prototype is the sixth step of the Engineering Design Process, where a team starts to build their chosen design. This step combines all of the information (design matrices, criteria and constraints, sketches, etc…) from the previous steps, mainly focusing on Choose the Best Idea. Build Model or Prototype is extremely important as it allows for designs to be brought to life. By following this step, the team builds a physical robot, which serves as a visual guide and competitive build.

Step 7) Test and Evaluate 

Test and Evaluate is the step for a team to follow in order to create a reliable and working prototype. By organizing multiple scientific and organized test trials in a table, teams can observe how a prototype works on field with quantitative data and seek out on how to improve it. During this testing process, it is crucial to not change anything in-between test trials and to perform multiple; this ensures an accurate set of data. From there, teams can use this information to evaluate what needs to be improved on, which will be worked on during Step 8, Make Improvements. 

Step 8) Make Improvements

Step 8, Make Improvements happen after teams have completed Step 7  in the Engineering Design Process. Teams may notice that while testing in the prior step, that some parts could be improved on. So, during this step, teams focus on improving upon the individual parts of the prototype, as well as the prototype as a whole itself. They can conduct this development through following the Engineering Design Process again. 

Step 9) Communicate Results

Step 9, Communicate Results, helps shed light on new problems and possible solutions. This step allows a team to reflect on what they have done well and  improvements that could be made from a new perspective. For a team, Communicate Results may come in the form of competitions and interviews. Following this step, teams may start the Engineering Design Process again and go back to Define the Problem to solve any issues that need to be solved. 

Other Resources

1. An article from the REC Library explaining the Engineering Design Process. https://viqrc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9759448453143-VIQRC-Engineering-Design-Process