Engineering Design Processupdated: 8/30/2010

SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT

ABET Definition of Engineering Design

Engineering design is the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process (often iterative), in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to meet a stated objective. Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation. [ABET]

Achieving Excellent Project

• To achieve success in executing engineering and design projects, it takes an understanding of the design process, strong knowledge of design tools, and professional skills.

Success of Product: Yesterday Competing costToday Quality Tomorrow Design

Engineering

• Engineer: One versed in the design, construction, and use of machines

• Engineers use methodical application of scientific knowledge and technology– Math, science and Fundamental

technologies

Innovation + Methodical Application of Science

Effective Engineering/Design

Design ProcessPrescriptive or Descriptive?

• Prescriptive process for problem identification and requirements selection– Formal, exact sequences are defined – All aspects are clear– Good for defined problems and solutions

Design Process

• Descriptive overview of the design process– Less formal

– Less emphasis on exact sequencing

A typical design is somewhere between

Descriptive and Prescriptive Design Process

VLSI Design

• Divide-and-conquer approach

• The system is divided into subsystems

•

SpecificationSystem

ArchitectureLogic Design Circuit Design Layout

Embedded System Design Process

• Not everything is sequential

Software Design Application Operating System Compiler

Hardware Design Architecture Synthesis Compiler

RequirementsAnalysis

Specifications

SystemArchitecture

Interface Design Software Drivers Hardware Drivers

Integrationand Test

Value of the Design Process

How much does it cost to correct problems as process proceeds?

What happens after the initial designers are left?

Cost toimplementchanges

Project lifetime

Course Objective

• Problem ID & customer needs

• Research/Problem Analysis

• Requirements Specification

The World-Class Engineer. (Leonhard Center for the Advancement ofEngineering Education, The Pennsylvania State University)

Strong technical stills and

understanding of the design process

Summary

• Engineering design is an iterative process.

• Design problems are open-ended with many potential solutions.

• Design processes represent best practices for realizing a system.

• Design processes may be prescriptive or descriptive.