UNIT 2

Problem-solving & Data Analysis in Engineering Design

The act of problem-solving is certainly not new for humans. Effective problem solving, close kin to the "scientific method," was at the heart of the Renaissance (fourteenth through seventeenth centuries) and the Industrial Revolution (eighteenth and nineteenth centuries) ). People are still refining the problem-solving process.

Design process & Problem-solving definitions:

"The design process is a systematic and often iterative problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down the possible solutions."

"Problem-solving is the process of understanding a problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan to solve a problem or meet a need or want."

Design is the process of planned change. Instead of something changing by accident. Design demands that we plan "change" so that we end up with the results we want. In a design process, the goal is to minimize undesired effects and control risk. "Design" also refers to the process used to create something new, to solve a problem. 

Design processes are used across the design continuum. Engineers at one end of the continuum use more math and science tools in their design process. Engineers design a variety of everyday products, from computer games to advanced medical devices. At the artistic end of the spectrum, designers use design processes to make decisions about color, contrast, sizing, shape, alignment, and perspective. Graphic designers use design processes to achieve a certain visual appeal, and their designs can include websites, billboards, product packaging. and TV commercials. Many products, like console computer games and automobiles, need designers from both ends of the design continuum to add both technical and aesthetic expertise.

The design process can be complicated. It is very important to remember, though, that a design process is nothing more than a logical problem-solving technique. It is a technique that has proven to be very effective and powerful. A good understanding of problem-solving techniques is useful in all aspects of life, not just designing products.

Proficiency scales:

*Professional skills/Employability

*Research

*Project Management 

*Data Analysis 

Week 7

Monday 09/29

• Work on Wow Slides (4 slides)  Due Today

• (Finish Presenting) Reverse Eng.

• (Finish Cover Letter peer feedback)
  
  

• Get into Your Capstone Teams!!!

• Projects at a glance:  Brainstorm with capstone teams/ ideas and interests (on poster paper)

  • On the poster: 

    • Plan A & B

    • Skill needed (for both plans)

    • detailed conceptual sketches of  both ideas

    • Material Needed

    • Any research on existing similar products  

    • The mentors' names and their skills (bio/resume research)

• Need to know about engineering fields of interest & research) on The journal is due on Friday

• Gantt Charts for Capstone teams due Tuesday, 10/03

• Identify possible  mentors by Friday, 10/10

Tuesday 09/30 Wednesday 10/01

• Spreadsheet  intro & tutorials with handouts (post practice on Google Classroom)

• Gantt Charts for Capstone teams due  Tuesday, 10/03

• Identify possible  mentors due  Friday, 10/10

• Projects at a glance:  Continue to brainstorm with capstone teams/ ideas and interests (on poster paper)

• Need to know about engineering fields of interest & research) In the journal is due Friday

Thursday 10/02  

• Finish Spreadsheet  intro & tutorials (example 1-2-3 and constants)

• Gait analysis project intro (Part 1): Whole class Gait versus Height relationship, whole class Gait height model. 

  • Intro to the Gait Project question

  • Observation of gait and initial brainstorming (questions to consider)

• Problem-solving intro (flipped)

• Gantt Charts for Capstone teams due Tuesday, 10/03

• Identify possible  mentors due  Friday, 10/10

Friday 10/03

• WowSlides presentations 

• Work on Gait analysis project intro (Part 1): Whole class Gait versus Height relationship, whole class Gait height model. 

  • Intro to the Gait Project question

  • Observation of gait and initial brainstorming (questions to consider)

• Continue Brainstorming ideas for the capstone project on the poster

• Gantt Charts for Capstone teams due Tuesday, 10/03

• Identify possible  mentors due Friday, 10/10