The Design Process

In many technological fields, open-ended problem-solving processes that involve the full planning and development of products or services to meet identified needs are often referred to as the "design process". A design process involves a sequence of steps, such as the following:

• • Analyse the context and background, and clearly define the problem or challenge.

  • Conduct research to determine design criteria, financial or other constraints, and availability of materials.

  • Generate ideas for potential solutions, using processes such as brainstorming and sketching.

  • Choose the best solution.

  • Build a prototype or model.

  • Test and evaluate the solution.

  • Repeat steps as necessary to modify the design or correct faults.

  • Reflect and report on the process.

Steps in the Design Process (Any steps can be revisited):

• 1. Clearly define the problem or challenge

     • taking into account relevant contextual or background information; define project objectives and criteria and identify constraints such as cost, time, or technology limitations

  2. Conduct research

     • gather information

  3. Generate ideas for potential solutions

     • generate possible solutions using techniques such as brainstorming

  4. Choose the best solution

     • evaluate possible solutions

  5. Build a prototype or model

     • apply the solution that most effectively meets the objectives and criteria within the existing constraints

  6. Test and evaluate the solution

  7. Reflect and report on the process