How Engineers solve problems and report

1. INTRODUCTI
ON TO
ENGINEERIN
G
Course Code : (ENG101)

2. TRY
Discuss and conclude on three ways for reducing or
eliminating flying insects from an eatery area.

3. T H E E N G I N E E R I N G A P P R O A C H T O
P R O B L E M S O LVING – LEC. 9
.

4. T H E E N G I N E E R I N G A P P R O A C H T O P R O B L E M
SOLVING
 Engineering work often involves planning and analysis in the initial stages, but the essence of engineering problem
solving is design. Engineering design is as varied as the engineering profession, and it is as broad as the problems
facing humankind. An engineer’s designs may be as small and intricate as a microchip for a computer system or as
large and complex as a space shuttle. To perform engineering design is to conceive, imagine, devise, and plan a
device, a structure, a process, or a system that will benefit people.
 With advancements in technological knowledge have come more formal institutions and procedures for the transfer
of knowledge. Modern engineers must not only gain experience under the tutelage of other engineers but must also
be educated in formal college- or university-level programs of study. Engineering design has become more varied
and challenging, requiring a greater degree of specialization as well as a need for teamwork. It is not uncommon,
therefore, for many large engineering projects to be carried out by dozens or even hundreds of engineering
specialists.

5. T H E E N G I N E E R I N G M E T H O D
 The nature of problems that must be solved by engineers varies both between and among the
various branches of engineering. Indeed, an individual engineer may face a variety of
problems during the course of his or her daily work activities. Because of the variability of
engineering designs, there is no definitive procedure or list of steps that will always fit the
engineering problems at hand. However, engineers tend to deal with problems in a special
way. Certainly, the engineering method of approaching and solving problems differs greatly
from that of most other professionals.
 Engineers are trained to think in analytical and objective terms and to approach problems
methodically and systematically.
 A number of engineering writers have set forth a list of steps or phases that comprise the
“engineering design method.”

6. T H E E N G I N E E R I N G M E T H O D
 Typically, the list includes:
1. Identification of the problem.
2. Gathering needed information.
3. Searching for creative solutions.
4. Stepping from ideation to preliminary designs (including modeling).
5. Evaluation and selection of preferred solution.
6. Preparation of reports, plans, and specifications.
7. Implementation of the design.
 As we describe these steps, it is important to keep in mind that in many instances, one or
more of the steps may not appear. In other cases, it may be necessary to repeat the entire
protocol several times in an attempt to converge on a desired solution. Let us now examine
the various steps or phases of engineering design.

7. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM
 There is a tendency to think that this phase of the solution process is trivial and unimportant.
Such is not the case. An incorrect or improper definition of the problem will cause the
engineer to waste time and may lead to a solution that is inappropriate or incorrect. Pearson
states: “A problem properly defined is a problem partially solved. To state the problem
correctly is a major step toward its solution.”
 It is important that the stated needs be real needs.
 The needs to be satisfied should be broadly defined and distinguished from possible
solutions.
 To the extent possible, the problem should be defined in objective terms.
 Finally, the problem should not be unnecessarily constrained.

8. GATHERING NEEDED INFORMATION
 Once the problem is identified and the needs properly defined, the engineer then begins to gather
information and data needed to solve it. The type of information needed will, of course, depend on the
nature of the problem to be solved. It could be physical measurements, maps, results of laboratory
experiments, patents, results of opinion surveys, or any of a number of other types of information.
 This phase of the problem-solving process involves gathering and evaluating information that is already
available. If the engineer is employed by a large corporation or a public agency, it will probably be
desirable to search old files and interview other employees to see if others have undertaken similar
work. Subsequently, it may be necessary to supplement this information by making additional
measurements or conducting more laboratory experiments, opinion surveys, and the like.
 In this phase of the process, engineers typically undertake a literature search to determine what others
have learned about related problems. They may visit technical libraries and study textbooks, journal
articles, and manufacturers’ catalogs. Librarians can be very helpful in locating textbooks and journal
references, and most libraries now have access to computer-aided searching services that are fast and
relatively inexpensive. Some libraries also maintain manufacturers’ catalogs reduced onto microfiche
film with a subject index to help in locating already-manufactured components.

9. SEARCHING FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
 After completing the preparatory steps in the design process, the engineer is ready to begin
identifying creative solutions. Actually, the development of new ideas, products, or devices
may result from creativity, a subconscious effort, or from innovation, a conscious effort.
How to search and find creative solutions
 Brainstorming: One of the most popular techniques for group problem solving is
brainstorming. Typically, a brainstorming session consists of 6 to 12 people who
spontaneously introduce ideas designed to solve a specific problem. In these sessions, all
ideas are encouraged, including those that appear to be completely impractical.
 Checklists: One of the simplest ideas for generating new ideas is to make a checklist. The
checklist encourages the user to examine various points, areas, and design possibilities.

10. SEARCHING FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
 Attribute Listing: Another technique that can be used by individuals to produce original
problem solving ideas is attribute listing. With this technique, all of the major characteristics or
attributes of a product, object, or idea are isolated and listed.
 Forced Relationship Technique: Another group of operational techniques that individuals
may use to generate ideas is known as forced relationship techniques (3). That is, such
techniques force a relationship between two or more normally unrelated ideas or products to
begin the idea-generating process.
 Morphological Analysis: An operational technique for idea generation attributed to Fritz
Zwicky involves listing every conceivable theoretical solution. This technique consists of first
defining the problem in terms of its dimensions or parameters and devising a model that
enables one to visualize every possible solution.

11. STEPPING FROM IDEATION TO PRELIMINARY DESIGNS
 The engineer is now ready to move from ideation to preliminary designs. This is the heart of
the design process, and it is the phase that relies most on experience and engineering
judgment. Here, unworkable ideas are discarded, and promising ideas are molded and
modified to form workable plans and designs. This step may require many decisions to be
made about alternative layouts, configurations, materials, dimensions, and other
specifications. Conceptual sketches may need to be drawn; preliminary plans may need to be
prepared; and thought may need to be given to material specifications.
 Three types of model are commonly used to facilitate the solution of engineering problems:
1. Analytical or mathematical models.
2. Simulation models.
3. Physical models.

12. EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF PREFERRED SOLUTION
 As the engineering design process evolves, the engineer may evaluate again
and again alternate ways of solving the problem at hand. Typically, the
engineer winnows the unpromising design choices, yielding a progressively
smaller set of options. Feedback, modification, and evaluation may occur
repetitively as the device or system evolves from concept to final design.
Depending on the nature of the problem to be solved, evaluation may be
based on any number of factors. If it involves a product, safety, cost, reliability,
and consumer acceptability are often of paramount importance.

13. PREPARATION OF REPORTS, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS
 After the preferred design has been selected, it must be communicated to
those who must approve it, support it, and translate it into reality. This
communication may take the form of an engineering report or a set of plans
and specifications.
 Engineering reports are usually directed to a client or to a supervisor (e.g., if
the engineer is employed by a large corporation). Plans and specifications are
the engineer’s means of describing to a manufacturing division or to a
contractor sufficient detail about a design so that it can be produced or
constructed.

14. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DESIGN
 It could be argued that once the plans, specifications, and engineering reports
have been completed, the design process is finished. Actually, however, the
final phase of the design process is implementation, the process of producing
or constructing a physical device, product, or system. Engineers must plan
and oversee the production of the devices or products and supervise the
construction of the engineered projects. Different engineers may, of course,
be involved in this final phase. This is the culmination of the design process;
to the design engineer, it is the most satisfying phase of all.

15. ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING
One of the main forms of communication in engineering is the technical report. Such reports provide the engineer with a
vehicle for communicating the results of his or her work to colleagues, clients, supervisors and other management
personnel, and the general public.
This means every report has a purpose beyond the simple presentation of information. Some common purposes are:
To convince the reader of something. For example:
 to convince a government agency of the effect of a particular course of action
 to convince a client that your solution will fulfill their needs
 to convince the public that a proposed project will bring benefits
To persuade the reader to do something. For example:
 to persuade a government or council to adopt a particular course of action
 to persuade a client to choose one design over another
 to persuade an organization to partner with your company on a project

16. ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING
To inform the reader about something (usually for a further purpose). For example:
 to provide a government department with information they will base policy on
 to instruct other engineers who will work from your plans
 to present the outcomes of a project to stakeholders
When planning an assignment report, your first step is to clarify its purpose; that is, what you
want it to achieve.
 The format of technical reports may vary depending on the type of report. Progress reports,
proposals, and empirical research reports have organizational similarities, but each type of
technical writing has a distinguishing format. For a given class of report, the format is fairly
standard. Typically, these parts are not written in the order listed.

17. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
TITTLE
The title page gives the title of the report, identifies its writer or
writers, their company or organization, and the publication date. It
may contain additional information such as report number, name
and address of sponsoring organization, a distribution list, and
restrictions on the report’s reproduction and use.

18. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
ABSTRACT
 The abstract is a concise summary of the content and purpose of the main
report. Its purpose is to provide enough information to allow the reader to
decide whether or not to obtain and read the complete report. A descriptive
abstract describes what the full report contains but does not give the findings
of the report. An informative abstract briefly describes study methodology and
states major conclusions and recommendations. Many clients, including many
federal agencies, require an executive summary, which briefly summarizes
the results and recommendations of the report.

19. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
INTRO
 The introduction sets forth the subject, purpose,
and scope of the report and its plan of
development. It may also contain theoretical or
historical background material based on a search of
the technical literature.

20. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
BODY (METHODOLOGY)
 The methodology or procedure section gives a detailed account of
the steps taken to accomplish the work described in the study or
investigation. In reports of experimental investigations, the
equipment that was used is normally described in this section.

21. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
BODY (RESULTS ANALYSIS)
 The results section describes the outcome of the project or
investigation. This section of the report normally contains
figures and tables, as well as a description and
interpretation of the results or findings.

22. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
(CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS)
 The conclusions “are the inferences drawn from the factual evidence of the
report” . In technical reports dealing with complex or controversial matters,
many writers precede their conclusions with a summary of the facts and title
that section of the report summary and conclusions.
 The recommendations section states a recommended course of action based
upon the conclusions. The recommendations are stated simply, often in the
form of a list, and need not contain supporting argument.

23. FORMAT OF ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING -
(ACKNOWLEDGEMENT& BIBLIOGRAPHY )
 The acknowledgments section recognizes those people and organizations
who have made significant contributions to the project.
 The bibliography lists the books, journal articles, and other references used in
the preparation of the report. In technical reports, a list of cited works is
usually headed References. Many different bibliographic formats are used in
technical reports. In the body of the report, reference sources may be cited
parenthetically by name or number or by superscript, for example:

24. REFERENCES BOOKS
Engineering in Perspective by Tony Ridley ( Imperial College London, UK)
Engineering in Perspective , Lessons for Successful career, Tony Ridley, ( 8th Edition )
Engineering to Engineering Design, 5 th Edition, by James W. Delly

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