SME" typically stands for "Subject Matter Expert." In the context of engineering design, SMEs play a crucial role in providing specialized knowledge and guidance throughout the design process. Here's how SMEs are typically involved in engineering design:
Technical Expertise: SMEs possess deep knowledge and experience in specific areas of engineering, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, or software engineering. They contribute their expertise to ensure that the design meets technical requirements, standards, and regulations.
Problem Solving: SMEs often participate in brainstorming sessions and problem-solving activities to address complex engineering challenges. Their insights help identify potential issues early in the design process and develop effective solutions.
Design Review: SMEs participate in design reviews to evaluate the feasibility, functionality, and safety of proposed designs. They provide critical feedback and recommendations to improve the design and mitigate risks.
Validation and Testing: SMEs collaborate with design teams to develop testing procedures and validate design concepts through simulations, prototypes, and experiments. They ensure that the design performs as intended under various operating conditions.
Continuous Improvement: Throughout the design process, SMEs contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for optimization, efficiency gains, and cost reductions. Their feedback helps refine the design and enhance its overall quality.
Knowledge Transfer: SMEs often mentor junior engineers and share their expertise to build the capabilities of the design team. They provide guidance on best practices, industry trends, and emerging technologies relevant to engineering design.
3. Basic Models in the
“Engineering Design Process”
1. A Simplified Iteration Model
2. Design Method Vs Scientific Method
3. A Problem Solving Methodology
4. 1. A Simplified Iteration Model
General
information
Specific
information
Design
operation
Outcome
Evaluation
Feedback loop
No
Yes
Go to the
next step
There is no single universally acclaimed sequence of steps
that leads to a workable design.
Figure 1. : Basic module in the design process (After Morris Asimow)
6. Acquisition of information is a vital and often very
difficult step in the design process. But, it is a step
that usually becomes easier with experience.
For the successful operation, it requires
information such as:
(i) General, technical, and business information
that is expected of the trained professional.
7. (ii) Very specific information, a few examples of
the specific information are:
(1) A manufacturer’s catalogue on miniature
bearings,
(2) Handbook data on the properties of
polymer composites,
(3) Personal experience gained from a trip to
observe a new manufacturing process.
8. Exploring the alternative concepts that could satisfy the
specify need
Formulating a mathematical model of the best system
concept
Specifying specific parts to construct a subsystem
Selecting a material from which to manufacture a
part
1
2
3
4
(ii) Design Operation:
11. • The design outcome must be evaluated, often by a
team of impartial experts, to decide whether it is
adequate to meet the need. If it meets the
requirements, the designer may go on to the next
step.
• If the evaluation uncovers deficiencies, then the
design operation must be repeated. The information
from the first design is fed back as input together with
new information that has been developed as a result
of questions raised at the evaluation step. We call this
iteration.
12. • The need to go back and try again should not
be considered a personal failure or weakness.
Design is an intellectual process, and all new
creations of the mind are the result of trial
and error.
13. • The iterative nature of design provides an
opportunity to improve the design on the
basis of a preceding outcome. That in turn,
leads to the search for the best possible
technical condition.
• However, the goal of many design projects is
not the creation of new hardware or
systems. Instead, the goal may be the
development of new information that can
be used else where in the organization.
14. • It should be realized that few system designs are
carried through to completion; most designs are
stopped because it has become clear that the
objectives of the project are not technically and/or
economically feasible.
• Regardless, the system design process creates new
information which, if stored in retrievable form, has
future value, since it represents experience.
