Basic Engineering Design (Part 1): Identify the Problem

The Engineering
Design Cycle
http://labs.ee.washington.edu/community/BasicEngDes/BasicEngDes_IdentifyProblem/
Part 1
Identify the Problem

First -- Brainstorming
Brainstorming is not a random
walk through a random patch in
the chaotic brain. Rather, it is
an attempt to explore ideas
within a specific set of
boundaries that limit what the
design engineer or student can
pursue within a specific problem
context.
At the start of the design cycle
(Identify the Problem),
brainstorming will seek to
identify PROBLEMS, not
SOLUTIONS (these come later),
that NEED to be solved.
The Engineering Design Cycle
Identify the
Problem
Construct
Prototype
Research the
Need
Select the
Best Solution
Design
Solutions
Redesign/
Iterate
Test and
Evaluate
Present the
Solution

State the Goal
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Here, we state the overall purpose of the design class or design
activity. The goal should focus on defining the boundaries of what
“fits” and what does not “fit” so that all subsequent ideas are “fits”
rather than “misfits”.

State the Goal
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Here, we state the overall purpose of the design class or design
activity. The goal should focus on defining the boundaries of what
“fits” and what does not “fit” so that all subsequent ideas are “fits”
rather than “misfits”.
An Example: In a Sensors Design Class
To identify sensing systems that meet a significant need in society and
which can be designed, prototyped, tested, evaluated, and presented
during a single 16 week period (semester).

Generate Ideas
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
While it may sound straightforward to generate ideas, how you
choose to do so makes a big difference in the breadth and
creativity represented in the final pool of ideas. Try using a “non-
linear” mode of generating ideas that avoids the appearance of a
list and allows you to explore broader spaces in your mind.
Generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how strange, boring,
wild, crazy, or uninspired. Challenge yourself to 20-25 ideas!

Generate Ideas
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
While it may sound straightforward to generate ideas, how you
choose to do so makes a big difference in the breadth and
creativity represented in the final pool of ideas. Try using a “non-
linear” mode of generating ideas that avoids the appearance of a
list and allows you to explore broader spaces in your mind.
Idea #1
Crazy
Idea #3Idea #2
Simple
Idea #4
Ridiculous
Idea #5
Wild
Idea #6
Follow-Up
Idea #7
Boring
Idea #8
Normal
Idea #9
Generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how strange, boring,
wild, crazy, or uninspired. Challenge yourself to 20-25 ideas!

Organize Ideas
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Organize ideas according to themes that “emerge” naturally and
fluidly as you review your list. Re-arrange your ideas multiple times
to identify the organization that makes the most sense to you.
Pick themes that organize your ideas according to how they appeal to
you. This will make it easier to make your top choices!

Organize Ideas
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Organize ideas according to themes that “emerge” naturally and
fluidly as you review your list. Re-arrange your ideas multiple times
to identify the organization that makes the most sense to you.
Pick themes that organize your ideas according to how they appeal to
you. This will make it easier to make your top choices!
Idea #1 Crazy
Idea #3
Idea #2
Ridiculous
Idea #5
Wild
Idea #6
Follow-Up
Idea #7
Boring
Idea #8
Normal
Idea #9
Simple
Idea #4
Theme A: Learning
more about Thing X
Theme B: Lots of
Programming
Theme C: Lots of
Building

Identify Priorities
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Think about what is most important in the design process. In the
classroom, what is most important is usually related to the student's
career goals, personal interests, and special skills. In industry,
corporate mandates and the interests of others will play a stronger
role in determining priorities.

Identify Priorities
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Think about what is most important in the design process. In the
classroom, what is most important is usually related to the student's
career goals, personal interests, and special skills. In industry,
corporate mandates and the interests of others will play a stronger
role in determining priorities.
Priority 1:
Add specific languages or
software to my resume
Priority 2:
Learn a lot more about Thing X
before I graduate
Priority 3:
Enjoy building things
Priority 4:
Build Teamwork Skills

Compare Ideas to Priorities
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look at your ideas and your
priorities side by side….
Where is the best match?

Pick Top Choices
Brainstormin
g
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
From Comparing Themes to Priorities…
Choose your top 3-5 choices
Now you’re ready to take your ideas to the design team!

Now – Choosing a Team
In parallel with brainstorming ideas
to Identify the Problem, the design
team must also be defined and
selected. A group of people does
not by itself ensure a team. To
succeed, teams must have:
1. Synergy: no one individual
has all the necessary skills to
succeed
2. Harmony: working together
with a positive attitude and
productive working
environment
3. Understanding: clear
agreement on the common
Identify the
Problem
Construct
Prototype
Research the
Need
Select the
Best Solution
Design
Solutions
Redesign/
Iterate
Test and
Evaluate
Present the
Solution

Meet Potential Team Members
The Importance of Networking
Whether in class or in a job, ongoing networking and getting to know
others in the workplace is a must. At teambuilding time, it gives you a
rich, valuable starting point for identifying potential group members!
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
In some situations, you can
meet prospective team
members as part of an in-
class or in-project meet and
greet opportunity, or …

In some situations, you can
meet prospective team
members as part of an in-
class or in-project meet and
greet opportunity, or …
In other situations, you
may have to create an
opportunity to meet
potential members of a
team (coffee anyone?)
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Identify Strengths
As you meet each of your potential team members, endeavor to
understand their strengths in terms of:
• Skills: what can they do?
• Knowledge: what do they know?
• Personality: how do they work best?
When talking to a potential team member:
• Ask a combination of direct and indirect questions to draw out the
strengths of each individual candidate for your team.
• If someone appears to have no weaknesses at all, it's likely too good
to be true.
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Find the right people
By Work Ethic:
Look at what people do --
not what they sayChoosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

By Personality:
Watch people working and
interacting together
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

By Networking:
Talk to others who know
candidates for the team
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

By Manager:
Talk to those who are managing,
supervising, teaching, or otherwise
monitoring potential team
members.
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

The "Wrong" Team
No Trust
No Conflict
No Commitment
No Accountability
No Results
FailureChoosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

The "Wrong" Team
No Trust
No Conflict
No Commitment
No Accountability
No Results
Failure
Avoid:
• Teams of Convenience: people you know and work with regularly
• Representative teams: teams where the titles of individuals
determine diversity or skill level
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

The "Right" Team
Trust
Healthy Conflict
Solid Commitment
Strong Accountability
Results
Success
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

The "Right" Team
Trust
Healthy Conflict
Solid Commitment
Results
Success
Be ready to:
• Identify the Project Goals and Outcomes clearly and specifically,
before selecting a team.
• Be willing to say NO to friends and various assertive others
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

The "Right" Team
Trust
Healthy Conflict
Solid Commitment
Results
Success
Choose:
• Carefully Selected Team Members – by personality, by work ethic, by
attitude who make up --
• Well Matched Teams – by skill
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Select Team Members
2 + 2 = 5
?
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Select Team Members
How to say NO to the wrong candidate:
1. Listen to the candidate’s request respectfully; don’t interrupt
2. Say no as simply as possible; use a well modulated voice
3. Do not be upset (or do not express upset)
4. Transfer “ownership” of the no to something or someone else
5. Don’t feel obligated to explain, but if you do -- keep it simple
2 + 2 = 5
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Select Team Members
Member Skills Knowledge Personality Reason
John Doe Builds
Circuits
- Quiet,
Thoughtful
Can build
circuits without
dominating
team
Mary Smith - Matlab,
Programming
Outgoing,
Positive
Good leader
and presenter
for the team
Alex Jones - Chemical
Sensors
Detail
Oriented
Select and
explain sensors
to support
system
Choosing a
Team
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

And Now:
Final Problem Selection:
Now that you've generated ideas,
you have probably become
attached to some of those ideas.
The challenge then becomes how
to persuade others to select one of
your choices as well.
Although the art of persuasion is
discussed here in terms of your
first team meeting, it can be
applied any time to influence
others to see your way of viewing
the world!
Identify the
Problem
Construct
Prototype
Research the
Need
Select the
Best Solution
Design
Solutions
Redesign/
Iterate
Test and
Evaluate
Present the
Solution

Tools of Persuasion
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Intuitively, we may wish to present
only our side of the argument – and
may be unwilling to present any
weaknesses to our argument (or
design choice in this case) for fear of
dissuading our team.
Over 100 studies in psychology
research, however, tell us that two-
sided arguments work better than
one-sided equivalents, regardless
of:
• How sympathetic your audience
is to your cause, or
• What the education level of your
audience is.
Talk about BOTH the GOOD and the BAD associated with your
design choice or idea.

Tools of Persuasion
Intuitively, we may wish to present
only our side of the argument – and
may be unwilling to present any
weaknesses to our argument (or
design choice in this case) for fear of
dissuading our team.
Over 100 studies in psychology
research, however, tell us that two-
sided arguments work better than
one-sided equivalents, regardless
of:
• How sympathetic your audience
is to your cause, or
• What the education level of your
audience is.
Talk about BOTH the GOOD and the BAD associated with your
design choice or idea.
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
It may be tempting to voice your opinion once and let it rest, but
psychological research tells us that repeating yourself (and your
opinion) has 90% of the effect of multiple people voicing that same
opinion in convincing others!
Familiarity does not breed contempt…
Instead, it breeds attraction!
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
Do something kind for others on your team
COFFEE anyone?
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
Reciprocity not only compels
individuals to do something for
you, but it works
disproportionately. Those who
have been blessed with
kindness are likely to give more
in return.
• Give a little gesture of
kindness and consideration
to your team members,
and....
• They may be more inclined
to honor or select your
choice of design/problem!
As human beings, we are
genetically compelled to
reciprocate to others!
Do something kind for others on your team
COFFEE anyone?
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
BE confident
Certainty is intoxicating and compelling!
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Tools of Persuasion
Before you go into a team
meeting:
• Do your homework so that
you feel confident in the
agenda that you will be
presenting, defending, and
promoting in your team
meeting. Your agenda, at
this stage in design, may be
to promote one of your
ideas or that of another on
the design team.
• Take a few moments
before going into the
meeting to strategize how
to project confidence in
your choice.
BE confident
Certainty is intoxicating and compelling!
Final
Selection of
the Problem
during the
Identify
the
Problem
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

Thanks for joining us as we explored the first step of the
Engineering Design Cycle: Identifying the Problem.
Complete Educational Materials (including assignments,
quizzes, and recorded lectures) on the topic of Basic
Engineering Design can be found at:
http://labs.ee.washington.edu/community/BasicEngDes/

Basic Engineering Design (Part 1): Identify the Problem

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