The document discusses the design solutions phase of the engineering design cycle. It describes creating a design specification that identifies critical performance metrics and constraints. Possible solutions are then identified through researching similar products, patents, literature and brainstorming. Mind maps are presented as a tool to organize ideas from brainstorming in a visual way. The process concludes with documenting all potential solutions identified for later evaluation.

1. The Engineering
Design Cycle
Part 3:
Design Solutions
http://labs.ee.washington.edu/community/BasicEngDes/BasicEngDes_DesignSolution/

2. The first step in designing
solutions to solve the problem
identified in the first step of the
design cycle is to create a
design specification. A design
specification refers to the
characteristics of the solution to
the design problem. The
design specification has two
categories of information:
• Performance Metrics: refer
to what the design/product
does
• Constraints: The limitations
in which the product/design
delivers the performance
metrics
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

3. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
Creating a
Design
Specification
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
At the design phase, performance metrics should be only those
characteristics of the design that are CRITICAL to the design's
success. Other performance characteristics that are nice, but not
necessary, will be part of the product specifications but should not
be listed in the design specification.

4. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
Creating a
Design
Specification
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
At the design phase, performance metrics should be only those
characteristics of the design that are CRITICAL to the design's
success. Other performance characteristics that are nice, but not
necessary, will be part of the product specifications but should not
be listed in the design specification.
Performance Metrics
(that may be used for Design Specifications):
• Accuracy, Precision,
• Resolution (input or output)
• Detection Limit
• Dynamic Range
• Selectivity
• Sensitivity
• Response Time
• Dynamic Range
• Stability
• Hysteresis
• Lifetime
Some
Examples

5. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
Sometimes the design specification is obvious from reading product specifications:
original design specifications (features) are more obvious in a system that has been
designed for a specific application than for a design whose end application is not
necessarily known at the time of design.

6. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
Sometimes the design specification is obvious from reading product specifications:
original design specifications (features) are more obvious in a system that has been
designed for a specific application than for a design whose end application is not
necessarily known at the time of design.
These specifications
(features) for a grating
on an Ocean Optics
spectrometer tell the
user the “critical”
parameters (intended
use, spectral range,
best efficiency) which
all emphasize the
colors of light that will
be best detected by
the spectrometer.
Source: Ocean Optics

7. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
In this design specification, only the performance metrics that are critical to
the success of the design are listed....

8. The Design Specification:
Performance Metrics
In this design specification, only the performance metrics that are critical to
the success of the design are listed....
Short, sweet, and to the point!

9. The Design Specification:
Constraints
Constraints are either those parameters that limit the scope of the
design but are nevertheless essential to meeting the design goals
and application for a product, prototype, or proof-of-concept.
Creating a
Design
Specification
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

10. The Design Specification:
Constraints
Constraints are either those parameters that limit the scope of the
design but are nevertheless essential to meeting the design goals
and application for a product, prototype, or proof-of-concept.
Potential Constraints
(in a Design Specification)
• Size, Volume, Weight
• Power, Battery Life
• Shelf Life, Lifetime
• Aesthetics
• Ergonomic Requirements
• Industry Standards
• Product Safety Requirements
• Product Maintenance Requirements
• Recycling Potential/Disposal Requirements
• Manufacturing Process Requirements
• … and many more possibilities
Creating a
Design
Specification
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Some
Examples

11. The Design Specification:
Constraints
From this
laundry list of
characteristics,
it looks like
only the
heating
(power)
consumption
may have been
a constraint
during the
design
process!
Source: Hanwei Electronics

12. The Design Specification:
Constraints
In this design specification, only the critical constraints are listed, and allow
the designer to focus on what is critical to success rather than on a wider
range of constraints that may be hard to achieve simultaneously!

13. The Design Specification:
Constraints
In this design specification, only the critical constraints are listed, and allow
the designer to focus on what is critical to success rather than on a wider
range of constraints that may be hard to achieve simultaneously!

14. The Design Specification:
In its Entirety

15. The Product Specification:
In its Entirety
This chart is more accurately labeled with the term “characteristics” which
define the operation of the final device (in this case, a photodiode). Since we
were not involved in the design, we don’t know which of these parameters are
(critical) design specifications and which are artifacts or byproducts of the
design choice.
Source: Vishay Semiconductor

16. After a design specification is
completed which bounds the
solution to the design problem by
identifying reasonable
specifications,
it’s time to identify possibilities
to solve the design problem that
have the potential to meet the
specification. Existing solutions
(available commercially or
published as research) may offer
some insight into this next phase
of brainstorming to produce a
broad range of potential
solutions.
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

17. Identifying Possible Solutions
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look for existing and similar products
Search on the Web

18. Identifying Possible Solutions
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look for existing and similar products
Ask Potential Users
Tap Professional Networks

19. Identifying Possible Solutions
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look for existing and similar products
Search Patents online

20. Identifying Possible Solutions
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look for existing and similar products
Search peer reviewed literature
(especially review articles on
application or product type)

21. Identifying Possible Solutions
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Look for existing and similar products
Peruse ads and articles in
relevant trade magazines

22. Identifying Possible Solutions
Brainstorm Design Solutions
This stage of
brainstorming is
best done in a group
of no more than 6
people
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

23. Identifying Possible Solutions
Brainstorm Design Solutions
Look around
you at how
products are
designed
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

24. Identifying Possible Solutions
Brainstorm Design Solutions
Go to the places where the
product would/could be
used and observe
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

25. Identifying Possible Solutions
Brainstorm Design Solutions
Use a tool that works to
stimulate ideas (mind
maps, post it notes, etc.)
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

26. Identifying Possible Solutions
Brainstorm Design Solutions
Record all ideas and organize
them in some way that makes
sense to the design team.
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

27. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Start in the center with an image of the design as a final product,
using at least 3 colors, and giving some indication of the application
of the product/design.
• Group ideas around the central image according to the design
type, design approach, or other organizing feature.
– Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also
for encoding or grouping.
– Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
– Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace
your branches.
– Lines on the map should be connected, starting from the central image. The
lines become thinner as they radiate out from the center.
• Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout the
mind map to reduce text and make it easy to follow.
Adapted from Source: Buzan, Tony (1974)
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

28. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Start in the center with an image of the design as a final product,
using at least 3 colors, and giving some indication of the application
of the product/design.
• Group ideas around the central image according to the design
type, design approach, or other organizing feature.
– Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also
for encoding or grouping.
– Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map.
– Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace
your branches.
– Lines on the map should be connected, starting from the central image. The
lines become thinner as they radiate out from the center.
• Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout the
mind map to reduce text and make it easy to follow.
Adapted from Source: Buzan, Tony (1974)
Develop your own personal style of mind mapping that
serves the needs of your design team and design process!
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

29. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Group ideas around the central image according to the design type,
design approach, or other organizing feature.
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

30. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Group ideas around the central image according to the design type,
design approach, or other organizing feature.
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

31. Using MindMaps for Brainstorming
Even a rough start can be a good start!
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

32. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Use Color and Images to make the mind map easy to navigate!
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

33. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Use Color and Images to make the mind map easy to navigate!
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

34. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Mind Maps are as much for the design team as for supporting
comprehensive external design documents
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

35. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
Mind Maps are as much for the design team as for supporting
comprehensive external design documents
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

36. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
The mind map is not
just an exercise....
it can be used later
to explain how
thorough your team
was in its initial
design selection, can
provide a place to
return to if the first
design fails in some
way, and can be
formalized for
design presentation
and review.
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

37. Using Mind Maps for Brainstorming
The mind map is not
just an exercise....
it can be used later
to explain how
thorough your team
was in its initial
design selection, can
provide a place to
return to if the first
design fails in some
way, and can be
formalized for
design presentation
and review.
Identifying
Possibilities
during the
Design
Solutions
phase of the
Engineering
Design
Cycle

38. Identifying the Possibilities
1. Search for similar products
2. Research patents, peer
reviewed literature and similar
sources for "up and coming"
products
3. Talk to people
4. Look around you
5. Brainstorm
6. Document the brainstorming
process for future presentations,
design reviews, and for
returning to the drawing board!
Identify the
Problem
Construct
Prototype
Research the
Need
Select the
Best Solution
Design
Solutions
Redesign/
Iterate
Test and
Evaluate
Present the
Solution

39. Thanks for joining us as we explored the third step of the
Engineering Design Cycle: Design Solutions.
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/
The Engineering Design Cycle