The Engineering Design Process (FoT Unit 2, 12 Steps)

What is problem-solving?

Answer explanation

The creative process of working through details of a problem to reach a solution.

When a customer gives you a list of must-have features for a new machine design, those are the _______ for your design.

• options

• criteria

• roadblocks

• challenges

Answer explanation

Criteria are a number of principles or standards by which something may be judged or decided.

Which of the following features can be a constraint to an engineering project?

• A safety belt for an operator

• An enclosed operator cabin

• A high-cost material option

• A well-suited machine component

Answer explanation

A constraint is a limitation or restriction such as budget.

A trade-off is _____

Answer explanation

A trade-off is the second best choice when you cannot have what you really wanted.

At the start of a new project, we have to __________ the problem.

• draw

• distract

• disclose

• define

Answer explanation

You are writing a statement explaining what the purpose of the project is. Defining the problem does not mean to think about all the things that could go wrong.

What is a process?

Answer explanation

When you math teacher says "Show your work", she wants to see the process of how you came to the solution.

An iterative problem-solving strategy means that ______

• we follow a process or certain steps repeatedly.

• we cannot find a solution and give up.

• we do not have all the information.

• we are required to work by ourselves.

Answer explanation

A new version of a piece of computer hardware or software is called an iteration

When we make a plan, we __________

• decide or arrange things in advance.

• communicate an intention or decision about what we are going to do.

• write and/or present a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

“The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done…you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do.” – Lil Wayne

What do we do when we engage in brainstorming?

• We leave the building.

• We have a group discussion to produce ideas or solve problems.

• We solve a problem immediately.

• We complete the perfect plan for a solution.

Answer explanation

“When brainstorming, encourage wild and crazy ideas. Nonsense often leads to ideas that make perfect sense.”

― Sam Harrison

When designers make compromises during the Engineering Design Process, this is called __________.

• additional criteria.

• more constraints

• increased efficiency

• a trade-off

Answer explanation