Basics of The Design Process

Weather faced with an engineering challenge or just tinkering around, the design process is the best method to get the greatest and most effective results. 

Step 1:  Identify the Problem-  Simply identify a problem or something that needs to be changed.

Step 2:  Research the Need or Problem-  Use resources like the internet, books, or people to research the problem.

Step 3:  Develop Possible Solutions-  Make drawings of solutions.  Brainstorm methods and ways to solve the problem.  Write down and document all possible solutions.

Step 4:  Select the Best Possible Solution(s)-  Use the list of solutions you have made and evaluate which is best and choose the single best or a few of the best.

Step 5:  Construct a Prototype-  Gather and use materials to construct a prototype.  Prototypes can be produced in small scale or full scale designs.  Either a fully working or partially working model is acceptable.

Step 6:  Test and Evaluate Solutions-   Evaluate the prototype.  Does it meet the standards oyu were looking for?  Does it do everything you wanted it to do? 

Step 7:  Communicate the Solutions-   Have others look at the solution to get other opinions.  Make the solution viewable to the public.  Decide weather it is the solution you were looking for. 

Step 8:  Redesign-  Using the information you have gathered in testing and communicating, redesign another working model that incorporates changes that needed to be made.