PLTW Design Process

Is the first step in the design process. Includes the problem being identified, validated, and justified. The design requirements are determined and the design brief is created.

• prototype

• Valid

• define the problem

• present solution

• construct/test prototype

 During this step of the Design Process, team members take time to document whether they think this solution will work?

• Step 5: Evaluate Solution
• Step 2: Generate Concepts
• Step 6: Present Solution
• Step 4: Build and Test Solution

During this step of the Design Process, each team member creates several different options of how this problem can be solved.

• Step 5: Evaluate Solution
• Step 6: Present Solution
• Step 2: Generate Concepts
• Step 1: Define a Problem

During this step of the Design Process, engineers draw a detailed and labeled sketch of an idea for what might be created to solve the problem. 

• Step 3: Develop/Design a Solution
• Step 1: Define a Problem
• Step 5: Evaluate Solution
• Step 4: Build and Test Solution

A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments.

• Brainstorming
• Criteria
• Prototype
• Constraints

A systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to a problem or to satisfy human needs and wants and winnow (narrow) down the possible solutions to one final choice. 

• Design Process
• Brainstorming
• Design
• Decision Matrix

During this step of the Design Process, engineers build a working prototype and test how it works.

• Step 4: Build and Test Solution
• Step 3: Develop/Design a Solution
• Step 6: Present Solution
• Step 5: Evaluate Solution

During this step of the Design Process, engineers gather all project documentation and share it with the customer.

• Step 6: Present Solution 
• Step 5: Evaluate Solution 
• Step 4: Build and Test Solution 
• Step 2: Generate Concepts 

 A tool for systematically ranking alternatives according to a set of criteria. 

• Dimensioning 
• Isometric Sketch 
• Decision Matrix 
• Brainstorming 

A method of shared problem solving in which all members of a group spontaneously, and in an unrestrained discussion, generate ideas. 

• Constraints 
• Brainstorming
• Decision Matrix 
• Dimensioning