Today “Big Picture” thinking Beyond the technical solution The world of the professional

5 Steps of the Design Process

Design Process1. Define the problem

Identify and establish the needDevelop a problem statementEstablish criteria for success

2. Gather pertinent information3. Brainstorm/generate creative ideas4. Analyze and select a solution5. Test and implement the solution

Throughout the entire process: • Communicate, communicate, communicate!

After the design process is completed:• Perform post-implementation review and assessment

Beyond the Technical Solution

Understand the impact of your proposed solution• Within a global and societal context• As it relates to or is impacted by contemporary issues beyond

engineering, e.g. Business Medicine Law Environment

Gather information (Step 2) and incorporate into your multiple solutions

Consider Beyond the “Boundaries”

PROBLEM

Look at the “Big Picture”!

Consider the Stakeholders Owner Operator Service Provider Engineering Team Engineering Disciplines Constructor Equipment Manufacturer Neighbors Stockholders Bankers Educators Students Many others

Anyone who is impacted by the project in anyway is a potential stakeholder and should not be ruled out before the project ever starts!

Pontiac Aztec – Great Idea Gone Bad Unique features targeting the young professional

• Minivan platform with many features of an SUV• All wheel drive• Fold-out camping unit• Table and cooler for tailgating parties• Oversized sound system

Perceived ugliness killed vehicle sales.

Pontiac Aztec – Where did GM go wrong?

During the Design process, General Motors…1) Waited too long to test the styling on potential customers

2) Had internal communication problems. Negative response of focus groups was not effectively communicated to upper management.

Understanding the Impact

Engineering is global, and engineering is done in a holistic business context. The engineer must design under constraints that include global, cultural and business contexts -- and so must understand them at a deep level. They too are new "fundamentals".

William A. Wulf, PresidentNational Academy of Engineering

2002 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Understanding the Impact – Challenger Disaster

• Engineers viewpoint – It’s a cold morning…do not launch because O-ring seals will not hold at such low temperatures.

• NASA managers did not take warnings from Morton Thiokol (MT) engineers seriously.

• Poor communications – NASA managers did not voice concerns of MT engineers to upper management.

Understanding the Impact – Apollo 1

• Fire killed crew on the launch pad

• Poor escape hatch design prevented them from escaping

5 Minute Team ActivityIdentify FIVE current or emerging issues that impact

engineering solutions.

Understanding the Impact

Consider global, societal and contemporary impacts – don’t design and implement with “ideal conditions” assumption.• Political and economic climates are continuously changing

Current world events• Multi-national corporations playing in the global field

Maximizing efficiency, minimizing costs• Decisions being made across cultures• Global engineering

Teamwork Communication skills (emails, reports, presentations, etc.)

• Industry trends Manufacturing Petroleum Environment

Research the “Big Picture” - Global Issues

Worldwide in scope or application• Internationalization

Political instability Cultural and social moirés US $ vs. foreign economy

• World market economy – cost of doing business overseas Trade and labor trends

NAFTA – 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement European Union Emerging markets

3rd world countries• Global leadership

Research the “Big Picture” – Global Issues

Consumption and consumerism• Creating products that generate new markets

Population growth• Changing demographics (US and abroad)

MTV generation vs. baby boomers Minorities Senior citizens

Natural resources• Availability/depletion

Environment• Acid rain• Global warming

International law

Research the “Big Picture” – Societal Issues

“Quality of life” for users Safety/risks Legal implications

• Handicap accessibility• Regulatory requirements

Economy Moral or ethical issues Political issues

• Homeland security• Creation of new jobs

Human rights and liberties

Research the “Big Picture” – Societal Issues

Human Factor Considerations: Number of systems and subsystems

• Complexity Organization or interaction of/between systems Requirements and/or constraints Attributes and functionality Controls and operation

• Ease of Use Review

• http://www.baddesigns.com/index.shtml

Research the “Big Picture” – Societal Issues

Human Factor Issues: Things that:

• Don’t work the way you’d expect• Don’t work well together or that don’t fit• Are hard to see• Are too similar• Get in your way or are too hard to handle• Are are hard to remember, e.g. steps in a process

Controls that are too close together, too far, or are too hard to figure out• Too many controls• Missing labels

Patterns of signs or ambiguous signs

Research the “Big Picture” Contemporary Issues

Existing and emerging technologies Information technology Biotechnology Labor relations Health care Genetic engineering Organ donation and transplantation Space exploration

Think Beyond the Context of the…

Existing problem• Big picture thinking• Identify and research issues early• Incorporate findings into the solution• Mitigate risks!

Existing project• Technology transfer• Synergy – Steven Covey type thinking

World today• Document your results for those that will follow• Technology will continue to evolve

Employers Want Graduates who Have a “Systems” Perspective!