Wesley Heung
Engineering Design
What Engineering Design means to me.
Engineering design is a process by which an end product is produced. Of course, we would prefer a process by which an optimal product is produced, but it is impossible for humans to create anything that is perfect. Therefore, we use an engineering process to achieve something that is "good enough."
To begin, we must define what we want. The end product must be specified by criteria and constraints that we can compare it against. Then solutions can be designed to meet these requirements.
When designing a solution, we start with what we already know. Prior knowledge may come from empirical tests, or by building on previous solutions. Then new possible solutions are proposed.
We can then rigorously check to see if the proposed solution fits our criteria and constraints. If it does, then we have an end product. However, if it doesn't we can try to play around with it: to make slight variations in order to propose another possible solution.
All engineering design processes are just tools to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of this guess-and-check.
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.
- Harold Wilson
Because the engineering design process is a human creation, it must be imperfect. Therefore, in order to improve the process, we must be constantly revising it with the experience that we gain from using it. Each time the process is used, it is updated.
When we think that the process needs no further change, we fall into the trap of thinking that it is perfect. It begins to stagnate and eventually pieces of it are no longer up to date. The process begins to decay.
As engineers, we promote progress, not decay. Therefore, we must be prepared to always be revising our engineering design process to meet the needs of today.
In order to find the answer, we must know the answer.
-Professor Collins
Integration is just guessing. The only way to rigorously prove the correct answer is by differentiating.
-Professor Stangeby