Choosing a Topic
Engineering Design and Development
One of the toughest parts of an open ended design
project can be deciding what you will work on.
Engineers do not just solve problems, they must identify
and define them first.
Over the next few weeks, you will do research to become
an expert on the problem you identify.
So how do we find a problem worth solving?
"Inventions have long since reached their limit, and I see no hope for further developments
Roman Engineer Julius Sextus Frontinus - 10 A.D.
Choosing a Topic
Strategies for Brainstorming Possible Problems
Personal Experience or Interests
• What Do You Know?
• What Do You Love?
• Don’t You Hate It When . . .
5 Common Attack Paths
• Technical – People are complaining about…
• Health and Safety – People are hurt or killed by…
• Legal – People are being sued because…
• Education – Education programs exist to prevent…
• Economics – Lack of a solution to this problem costs…..
Global Challenges
An Engineering Design Process - Research
1. Define and Justify a Problem
• Brainstorm possible project problems.
• Research and select a valid problem.
• Become an expert on the problem.
• Justify the problem through research.
• Academic
• Market
• Write a problem statement.
• Document and analyze prior solutions.
• Identify design requirements.
• Create a Project Proposal.
Choosing a Valid and Justified Topic
Best results typically come from choosing something ..
– That is your idea, not another
classmate’s or the instructor’s.
– In which you have a vested
interest.
– That will keep your interest for
the rest of the year.
– That has the potential to make
a difference.
Choosing a Justified Topic
Pitfalls to avoid…
– Poor craftsmanship of an existing
product is not justification.
• I can build it better!
– Making it for a lower cost is not
justification.
• I can make it cheaper!
– Pointing to other products is not
justification.
• This product exists so there must be a
problem!
(Hint; Can you figure out that designers
justification to pursue that solution?
What Happens After Brainstorming Topics?
Becoming an Expert
Step 1 (individual) – Areas of Interest
Step 2 (individual) – Large problems within
area(s) of interest
Step 3 (individual/team) – Manageable
problem(s) within area of interest
Step 4 (team) – Preliminary research
Step 5 (team) – Justify the problem
Step 6 (team) – Concise problem statement.
You problem statement will continue to
evolve as you become an expert.
Brainstorming Review
A process undertaken to solve a problem by rapidly generating
a variety of possible solutions.
Rules
•
No criticism allowed
•
Work for quantity
10 to 15 possible problems from each person
in the class is a great target to shoot for.
•
Piling on of ideas welcome
•
Free-for-all
Strategies for Brainstorming an EDD Topic
Your Personal Experiences and Interests
Don’t You Hate It When . .
Have you seen something you
wished were fixed!
©iStockphoto.com
What Do You Know?
Are you already an expert
at something?
What Do You Love?
Do you want to help people?
Hobbies?
Strategies for Brainstorming
What Do You Know?
Brainstorm a list of what you know best or in what
areas you have expertise.
– Rank them based on your
interest.
– Note some areas that
might need improvement
or redevelopment related
to the items on your list.
Strategies for Brainstorming
What Do You Love?
Brainstorm some topics that you are
passionate about, but in which you may
not have expertise.
– Rank them based on your
interest.
– Note some areas that might need
improvement or redevelopment
related to the items on your list.
– You might need to conduct
further research to learn more
about the topic.
Strategies for Brainstorming
Don’t You Hate It When . . .
Brainstorm about situations that
are frustrating.
– Rank them based on your level
of frustration with each.
– You might need to conduct
further research to learn more
about the topic.
Strategies for Brainstorming
Five Common Attack Paths to Finding a Justified Problem
Education programs
exist to prevent…
Educational
Identify
Problem
Strategies for Brainstorming
Global Challenges
–
–
–
–
–
Energy
Transportation
Water Resources
Land Use
Pollution
Be careful. These global may be well defined, but a solution
you may come up with must be original and completed in the
time you have with the limiting constraints you face.
Global challenges may the toughest to solve in EDD!
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Sip and Drip
A Better Crutch
Small Bore Air Rifle
Target Changer
Ecco Fridge
Fertigator
Paint Ball Hemet
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Car Visor Stop Light Assist
Practice Pitch Return
Garage Door
Notification System
Visible Toaster
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Improved
Marching Band
Music Holder
Utili-Tool
Snow Blower Clog
Remover
Portable
Basketball
System
Forearm Workout Device
Portion Control Calculator
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Cross Country Training Ski
Snowplow-Proof Mail Box
RFDI Tag Controlled Light
Better Garbage Disposal
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Hands Free Lighting Device
(left) with Circuit and FDM
(fused deposition model)
(above)
Boat Hull Cleaner
Automatic Watering System
Tubeless NonFlattening Tire
Temperature Sensing,
Self-Regulating Blinds
Examples of EDD Projects
What was the problem?
Touch Screen Order
Entry System
Dog Self-Exercising Machine
No Mess
Urinal Device
Electrolysis Devices
Brainstorming Possible Problems
As you and you class begin brainstorming possible
problems for your project, It may help to do a little
research to make sure you are on the right path to a
justified problem.
Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
iStockphoto. Retrieved from
http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php
Dimension Printing. Retrieved from
www.dimensionprinting.com
Thanks to EDD teachers who shared images of student
prototypes