Welcome to the Seventh Step of the Engineering Design Cycle: Presenting the Design Solution!

1. The Engineering
Design Cycle
Part 7:
Present the Solution
http://labs.ee.washington.edu/community/BasicEngDes/BasicEngDes_PresentSolution/

2. A problem has been identified
and researched. The need to
solve it has been proven with
credible sources. A range of
solutions have been identified
and the best of the bunch has
been selected, prototyped,
tested, & evaluated, and a rock
solid set of results now stands
behind a winning design.
Now, it's time to Present the
Solution – We've figured out
what we want to say, the story
we want to tell... but how do we
express it?
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. Present the Solution
The Basics
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle
1. Write Complete Sentences
Instead of:
• Reduced Footprint
• Compromised Performance
Use:
Reduction in the “footprint” of any single component of the design,
in and of itself, compromises performance for portability.

4. Present the Solution
The Basics
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle
1. Write Complete Sentences
Reduction in the “footprint” of any single component of the design,
in and of itself, compromises performance for portability.
Complete
sentences are
easier to read and
remember, AND
they help us limit
ourselves to one
idea per slide!

5. Present the Solution
The Basics
2. Use Active Verb Tense
Instead of: Reduction in the “footprint” of any single component of
the design, in and of itself, has usually resulted in compromised
performance for portability.
Use: Reducing the “footprint” of any single component of the
design usually compromises performance for portability.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

6. Present the Solution
The Basics
2. Use Active Verb Tense
Reducing the “footprint” of any single component of the design
usually compromises performance for portability.
Active catches
attention AND
communicates
that your team is
working NOW not
yesterday or last
week!
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

7. Present the Solution
The Basics
3. Identify a Relevant Subject
Instead of: Reducing the “footprint” of any single component of
the design, in and of itself, compromises performance for
portability.
Use: A smaller design typically performs worse than bigger
systems with similar designs.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

8. Present the Solution
The Basics
3. Identify a Relevant Subject
A smaller design typically performs worse than bigger systems
with similar designs.
Here, the design is
doing something
relevant ...
performing worse
(and it's your job
to fix it!)
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

9. Present the Solution
The Basics
4. Use a Conversational Tone
Instead of: Reduction in peripheral components without loss of
performance in SPR-based systems can be done by choosing a
system configuration amenable to miniaturization.
Use: SPR systems can work with fewer components by choosing
creative designs that are made for small and portable use.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

10. Present the Solution
The Basics
4. Use a Conversational Tone
SPR systems can work with fewer components by choosing
creative designs that are made for small and portable use.
Here, your SPR
system may be
complex but it is
doing what it does
in a way that can
be understood by
all!
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

11. Present the Solution
The Basics
5. Keep Sentences Short
Instead of: By placing a mirror at the end of the probe, output light
is reflected back in the same direction as the input, ensuring that
the probe can be inserted directly into a sensing system, thereby
reducing sampling overhead rather than requiring the sensing
solution to be introduced externally to the SPR sensor, thus
creating considerable sampling overhead.
Use: A mirror is placed at the end of the probe. Output light is
reflected by the mirror back in the direction of the input.
With this design, the probe can be inserted directly into what is
being sensed ... the sensing medium.
Other designs require a sample be pulled out of the sensing
medium and then introduced to the sensing system somewhere
else.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

12. vs.
Present the Solution
The Basics
6. Be Clear and Direct
Instead of: In the traditional approach, high resolution
photodetector signals are multiplexed, scanned, and transferred
off of the sensing plane and into a data acquisition system for
spectral analysis and computation of the resonance point.
Use: The traditional approach uses a huge number of
photodetectors and requires that all of these resulting signals go to
a computer for analysis.
vs.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

13. Present the Solution
The Basics
7. Stick with one idea per slide
Here we are presenting one approach (the traditional one) in a
slide. In the next slides, we may present a few alternative
approaches (one per slide) and then conclude the discussion with
a slide comparing all of the alternatives.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

14. Present the Solution
The Basics
8. Avoid Bullets
People do not think in bullets - they have trouble connecting
information presented in multiple bullets.
Try limiting
yourself to no
more than 5
bullets per slide.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

15. Present the Solution
The Basics
9. Design each Slide around a Headline
Does this slide tell you the punchline?
The main idea of the slide?
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

16. Present the Solution
The Basics
9. Design each Slide around a Headline
This slide could be better by using a short sentence in
the banner/title bar.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

17. Present the Solution
The Basics
10. Try the Three Treatments Test
a. Select a few slides from your presentation.
b. Redesign them in three different ways.
c. Show them to “different” people (students, professors, non-
technical professionals) to determine the best “design”.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

18. Present the Solution
The Basics
11. Use the Notes page to Add Substance
Notes allow you to say more without overloading your slides
with text or bullets.
Present
the
Solution
Presentation
Basics
During the
Engineering
Design Cycle

19. Going One Step further
in Presenting the
solution
Storytelling has a long
history of being an
effective and compelling
way to communicate with
others.
Let's put this design to
Story...
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

20. Present the Solution
Why use Story?
Present
the
Solution
Storytelling is
a proven,
effective, and
often the only
way to inspire
people and
gain their
attention.
Storytelling
works
for
Everything,
even
Engineering

21. Present the Solution
Why use Story?
Present
the
Solution
Storytelling is
a proven,
effective, and
often the only
way to inspire
people and
gain their
attention.
From Bryan Boyd, author of
On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction
Human beings "...are hyper-intelligent and hyper-social animals.” By
lining up key elements of intelligence, cooperation, pattern-seeking,
alliance-making, and the understanding that other beings have
beliefs and knowledge of their own, stories make us stronger and
more effective as a species. (Steve Denning, Forbes Magazine)
"Attention is the reward that listeners bestow on the storyteller."
Nothing else works like telling a good story.

22. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
"Slides leave listeners dazed. Prose
remains unread. Reasons don’t
change behavior. When it comes to
inspiring people to embrace some
strange new change in behavior,
storytelling isn’t just better than
the other tools. It’s the only thing
that works."
Steve Denning
The Science of Storytelling

23. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Act 1: Setting the Stage
• Scene 1: The Setting
• Scene 2: The Protagonist
• Scene 3: The Imbalance
• Scene 4: Creating Balance
• Scene 5: The Solution
Act 2: Appeal to Reason
• Developing the Action
Act 3: Appeal to Emotion
• Scene 1: The Crisis
• Scene 2: The Solution
• Scene 3: The Climax
• Scene 4: The Resolution
"Slides leave listeners dazed. Prose
remains unread. Reasons don’t
change behavior. When it comes to
inspiring people to embrace some
strange new change in behavior,
storytelling isn’t just better than
the other tools. It’s the only thing
that works."
Steve Denning
The Science of Storytelling

24. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
The sample story used throughout focuses on why the bipolar
junction transistor is still needed in circuit design.
Scene 1: The Setting
• Where are we? When is it?
• By the 1980’s, CMOS dominates the integrated circuits industry.
Scene 2: The Protagonist
• Who are we in this setting? Who is the main character?
• The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) faces tough competition
from CMOS in key analog and digital circuit design areas.
Scene 3: The Imbalance
• Why are we here? What is the reason for the story? What is the
key incident that sets this story in motion?
• As CMOS dominates digital circuit design and semiconductor
fabrication processes, the BJT could disappear, taking its
superior speed and drive capabilities with it.

25. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Hopefully, our audience is now worried that the poor BJT will be lost
forever if something is not done to rescue it from the CMOS Bully.
Scene 1: The Setting
• By the 1980’s, CMOS dominates the integrated circuits industry.
Scene 2: The Protagonist
• The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) faces tough competition
from CMOS in key analog and digital circuit design areas.
Scene 3: The Imbalance
• As CMOS dominates digital circuit design and semiconductor
fabrication processes, the BJT could disappear, taking its
superior speed and drive capabilities with it.

26. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
The sample story used throughout focuses on why the bipolar
junction transistor is still needed in circuit design.
Scene 4: Creating Balance
• What do we want to see happen next? What's the desired
outcome?
• Fortunately, all is not lost for the BJT. BJT technology can be
rescued with an appropriate shift in design methodology.
Scene 5: The Solution
• What is the happy ending to the story. How do we re-establish
the balance?
• Combining BJT and CMOS into a single circuit design
methodology (BiCMOS) takes advantage of the benefits of both
BJT and CMOS technologies in key applications.

27. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Scene 4: Creating Balance
• Fortunately, all is not lost for the BJT. BJT technology can be
rescued with an appropriate shift in design methodology.
Scene 5: The Solution
• Combining BJT and CMOS into a single circuit design
methodology (BiCMOS) takes advantage of the benefits of both
BJT and CMOS technologies in key applications.
Now, we have given our audience hope for the poor BJT - and our
design team is the one that will rescue the BJT from its despair.

28. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Developing the Action
Convince your audience that the solution is plausible
• Divide Act 2 into 2-3 major supporting points.
• Support each major point with sub-points.
• And further sub-sub-points as necessary.
When conforming your presentation to a particular timeframe:
• Plan 5 minutes for each major supporting point.
• Plan 15 minutes each for each major point with its sub-points.
End with a Turning Point that reassures the audience that
balance has been restored and that the audience now has hope
for a solution.
At the end of Act 2, the audience should clearly see the rationale
and logic behind combining BJT and CMOS technology.

29. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Developing the Action
The BJT is fundamentally faster than the MOSFET
• Analogy
• Qualitative Explanation
• Governing Equations
The BJT can drive more current to a load than a MOSFET
• Analogy
• Qualitative Explanation
• Governing Equations
In some applications, speed or drive current are critical
• Audio amplifiers
• Input stage to Operational Amplifiers at RF frequencies
At the end of Act 2, we'll present the turning point - all of these
benefits can simultaneously be realized by select replacement of
MOSFETs with BJTs in a new technology/design methodology.
At the end of Act 2, the audience should clearly see the rationale
and logic behind combining BJT and CMOS technology.

30. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Framing the Resolution
• Tie everything together
• Set your audience up to Resolve the situation/problem
Scene 1: The Crisis
• Creates a boiling point: makes your audience WANT a solution
• As CMOS devices continue to shrink under pressure from the
mainstream digital circuits community, drive capability
continues to decrease and fast input switching opportunities
remain limited.
Scene 2: The Solution
• Repeat the solution exactly as it was stated in Act 1.
• Combining BJT and CMOS into a single circuit design
methodology (BiCMOS) takes advantage of the benefits of
both BJT and CMOS technologies in key applications.

31. Present the Solution
Through Storytelling
Present
the
Solution
By going
beyond bullets
and telling a
story about
the design
in the
Engineering
Design
Cycle
Framing the Resolution
• Tie everything together
• Set your audience up to Resolve the situation/problem
Scene 3: Setting up the Climax
• Pulls everything together
• Prepares your audience for a strong conclusion
• Establishing the speed and drive capability invoked by
combining MOS and BJT technologies.
Scene 4: Reaching the Resolution
• Should be general, but not controversial.
• BiCMOS: twice the speed as CMOS with half the real estate
penalty of BJT technology.
We have set our audience up, explained rationally the solution,
created a crisis, and resolved it ... a happy ending for all!

32. Present the Solution
No matter how good the design,
how amazing the prototype, a
design without a good presentation
can flop –
1. Know and understand the
audience
2. Follow the basics
3. Prepare a story that:
• draws the audience into your
design,
• connects the dots among the
components of the design,
• inspires your audience to
wholeheartedly choose your
solution.
Identify the
Problem
Construct
Prototype
Research the
Need
Select the
Best Solution
Design
Solutions
Redesign/
Iterate
Test and
Evaluate
Present the
Solution

33. Thanks for joining us as we explored the seventh step of the
Engineering Design Cycle: Present the Solution.
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