Engineering Design Process Lesson

The Engineering
Design Process

01

Objective:

I will be able to describe the steps in the

engineering design process as well as what a

prototype is.

Scientific Method Engineering Design

●A series of steps that
scientists follow to learn
more about the natural
world.

●Involves making
observations and doing
experiments

●A series of steps that
engineers follow to
solve problems

●Involves designing a
product or system that
meets criteria or
accomplishes a specific
task

Multiple Choice

Which one describes the Engineering Design Process?

• A planned method to learn about the natural world

• A method used to solve problems

• Both A and B

• Neither A or B

Step 1:
Define the Problem

Can you think of a

problem in your life that
could possibly be solved

by a technology or

system?



SPIN THE WHEEL!

The Engineering Design
Process (or EDP) always
begins with a problem or
need.

Step 3:
Specify
Requirements

What requirements must
your design meet in order
to be successful?

These requirements are
known as constraints.

Engineers may have to
stay within limits
involving:
●Materials available

●Budget

●Time

●Size of the solution (ex.
memory cards)

●Accuracy (ex. Auto
translation program)

●Weight (ex. Basketball
shoes)

●Lifespan (ex. cars)

●Style (ex. Phone case)

Brainstorm: List

constraints that should be

considered when
designing a pair of

sunglasses.

SPIN THE WHEEL!

Multiple Choice

What is a prototype?

• A prototype is a preliminary model of a product.
• A prototype is a marketing strategy for a product.
• A prototype is a detailed user manual.
• A prototype is a final version of a product.

Multiple Choice

What is the best description of "criteria"?

• Guidelines that determine the success of the project

• A method of data collection.
• A synonym for rules.
• A type of measurement tool.

Step 8:
Test and Redesign

The design process
requires several
iterations, or repeated
steps.

After the prototype is
built is tested. Most
likely, problems will be
discovered and the
design may need to be
adjusted.

This could happen
several times before
the final product is
completed.

Review & Apply

Review: What is the benefit

of building a prototype?





SPIN THE WHEEL

Match

Match the following:

• TECHNOLOGY

• CRITERIA

• CONSTRAINT

• ITERATION

• PROTOTYPE

the application of scientific knowledge

a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

a limitation or restriction

repeating design tasks within a project

a first or preliminary version of a device or product

• the application of scientific knowledge

• a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

• a limitation or restriction

• repeating design tasks within a project

• a first or preliminary version of a device or product

Multiple Choice

Engineers plan to develop a new drill for use on oil rigs.
What should the engineers do first in order to develop the
new drill?

• Conduct research on features for the new drill

• Build a prototype of the new drill

• Determine the materials needed to build the new drill

• Design a computer model of the new drill

Multiple Choice

An engineer has just finished building a prototype of a
lawn tractor that is powered by the sun. Which of the
following should be the next step in the design process?

• Test the prototype to evaluate its performance.

• Ask for funding to build more copies of the prototype.

• Build a second prototype that is different from the first.

• Make changes to the prototype that will increase its
  performance.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes
the term “constraints”?

• Constraints are restrictions of items which can’t be used,
  limitations on time, and limitations of design.

• Constraints are the required materials, design, and the
  amount of time needed to develop a product.

• Constraints are examples of prototypes.

• The research which is done to determine information that
  should be used in the development of new products.

Multiple Choice

Sandra is designing a new product. She tests her product
multiple times, each time making a small change to
make her product better and closer to what she wants it
to be. What is this an example of?

• Obsolete

• Constraint

• Iteration

• Criteria