Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment

CIVE 4312CIVE 4312

Hanadi RifaiHanadi Rifai

Engineering Design ProcessEngineering Design Process

Iteration

NeedsAssessment

ProblemFormulation

AbstractionAnd Synthesis

Analysis

Implementation

Establishing NeedEstablishing Need

Concern for health, safety and quality of Concern for health, safety and quality of life of publiclife of public

Redesign existing productRedesign existing product Better solution for a particular taskBetter solution for a particular task

All Problems are not EqualAll Problems are not Equal

Prediction Explanation Invention

Types of Problems

Success vs. FailureSuccess vs. Failure

Failure - inability of engineering solution to perform its intended function

Error - underlying cause for failure

Causes of FailureCauses of Failure

Concrete levelConcrete level - Specific physical source - Specific physical source (O-ring seal in Challenger)(O-ring seal in Challenger)

Process LevelProcess Level - Invalid assumptions or - Invalid assumptions or flawed execution (O-ring gaskets and putty flawed execution (O-ring gaskets and putty assumed sufficient on Challenger)assumed sufficient on Challenger)

Perspective LevelPerspective Level - Flawed value system - Flawed value system (Manufacturer of Challenger booster-(Manufacturer of Challenger booster-rocket overrode engineering rocket overrode engineering recommendations)recommendations)

Design ProposalDesign Proposal

Engineers often prepare formal design proposalsto justify expenditure of time, money and effort.

• Why?• Who?• Where?• How?• When?• What?• How much?

Structure of a ProposalStructure of a Proposal

Objective (Why?)Objective (Why?) Background (Who? Where?)Background (Who? Where?) Methodology (How? When?)Methodology (How? When?) Expected Results (What?)Expected Results (What?) Costs (How much will it cost?)Costs (How much will it cost?)

The design proposal is a plan

MethodologyMethodology

ApproachApproach TasksTasks Who will perform Who will perform

taskstasks Schedule of Schedule of

completioncompletion

Gantt ChartsGantt Charts

TasksTasks Q1Q1 Q2Q2 Q3Q3 Q4Q4

Gather DataGather Data

Conceptual Conceptual DesignDesign

Select Select AlternativeAlternative

ReportingReporting