Made by Ahmed Tarek Elwakil

Basic Engineering Design

Management: Is a process involving a designer, dealing with
problems, having a start and an end, related to time and having a product.

Types of problems: Simple. Compound. Complex. Meta.

Problem: The case of having 2 situations one is known while

the other is relatively unknown.

Problem Solving: Ways and methods used to achieve a

solution.

Problem Solving Methods

Difference Reduction Method: Reduction the gap between the basic phase and the final phase (Used when the problem is not familiar. Means-Ends Analysis: Starts with analyzing the main problems into secondary problems. Working Background technique: Start from the end, find sub-objectives to achieve the main objective. Analogy: Using a technique that succeeded in solving a similar problem.

Algorithm: a sequence of steps that can be followed to solve a

problem.

Heuristics: a set of actions and activities that can help in

finding a solution.

Problem space: all the possible actions that could be done to

achieve a solution.

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Steps to reach optimum solution:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Specify the problem. Putting aims and goals. Data gathering. Data analysis. Alternatives. Evaluation.

Thinking:

Is a product of human ability to process symbols and thoughts by using the power of conception, judgment and interference. It is a process of investigation of experiences in order to fulfill certain purposes. Gathering information. (Perception) Processing information. (Cognition)

Thinking activities:-

Internalized Mental Image (Schema): Represents and

active organization of past experience.

Left brain
Verbal Organized Logical Rational Objective Scientific

Right Brain
Visual Non-Organized Creative Subjective Intuitive Artistic

Dynamics of thinking: Linear Process

Every stage is finished before proceeding to the following stage. Every stage can be repeated while you are still in it. No retreating to a former stage.

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Linear Iterative Process

Every stage is finished before proceeding to the following. Stage can be repeated while you are still in it. If needed you can retreat to a former stage but with respect to the linearity of the process.

Cyclic iterative process

A stage can be repeated before proceeding to the following. If needed you can retreat to a previous stage or proceed to a following one without restrictions. This process suits educational process and architectural design.

Cyclic whirling process

A stage may not be finished before proceeding to the following. It is not necessary to start with the first stage. It is recommended to move freely through the stages without any restrictions. Suitable for Creative thinking.

Types of thinking: Convergent thinking Attempts to bring solutions from different directions into a union or common conclusion. E.g. Critical thinking Divergent thinking Starts from a common point and moves outward into a variety of perspectives. E.g. Creative thinking

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Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Thinking style Mental abilities Goal Result Nature of Solution Experience Brain Usage
Convergent Intelligence Directed towards a goal Previously known Has only one solution Requires experience Left brain Used in evaluating process Divergent Intuition Without a certain goal Without a known result Various solutions Dont require experience Right brain Used in designing process

Critical Thinking: is the process of applying reasons and

organized thinking to a subject.

Types of variables:1. Independent Variable: Influences the outcome. (E.g. genre, age) 2. Dependant Variable: Depends on the treatment. (E.g. blood pressure)

Techniques for generating ideas:-

Attribute listing: breaking down the problem into smaller parts insures that all possible aspects of the problem have been examined. Problem Reversal technique: try to see things in the opposite. (state the bad things in a situation and do what everybody else didnt) Used in military strategies

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Forced Analogy: compare the problem with something else that has little things in common to gain new solutions of the result. Story Boarding: involves spreading of ideas (individually or groups) by hanging ideas on board. Discontinuity Principle: break your routine, make interruptions in your day, change working hours, and listen to different radio stations, read other books or magazine, work in another place. Unconscious problem solving: unconscious mind will be continually processing inputs stored in memory. Brain storming: generating ideas in a group situation based on a principle of suspending judgment. RULES: Generate as many solutions as possible. Wild ideas are welcome. Hitch-kicking (build on ideas of other) is encouraged No criticism is allowed until the evaluation phase. There is no dump ideas or wrong answers.

Optimum solution
Realizes the needs perfectly and highly The 100% solution

Satisfactory solution
Realizes the needs with a lower acceptance percentage such as 80% It allows other satisfactory solutions to become alternatives

Components of creativity: Press (Environment) Person

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Process Product

Creative thinking skills:-

Fluency: the ability to think of and create many ideas. (quantitative) Flexibility: the ability to think of varied ideas or to look to things from different perspective. Originality: the ability to think of uncommon ideas. (qualitative) Elaboration: the ability to expand, develop and modify and idea or to add details to it. Sensitivity: uses the sense to discover the world. Synergy (Cooperation): two or more elements are associated together in a new way and the result is greater than the sum of the parts. Serendipity (coincidence): unexpected discoveries and lucky accidents.

The 3 Ss of creativity:-

Six thinking hats: White Hat: focus on the data available. Look at the information you have and see what you can learn from it. Red Hat: you look at problems using public reactions and emotions. Black Hat: look at the bad points in your solution and try to see why it might not work. Yellow Hat: it is an optimistic point of view helps you think positively and to see the advantages of your solution. Green Hat: it stands for creativity this is where you can develop creative solutions to your problem. Blue Hat: stands for process control.
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COWS method for decision making:

Criteria Options (Alternatives) Weights: Assign weight for each criteria you develop. Scores: Rate each option based on their weight.

Management:
Planning and control of available resources such as: Manpower Money Materials Machines Deals with Time, Money and Quality.

The Quadruple Constraints:

1. 2. 3. 4. Budget Schedule Performance Client Acceptance

The Triple Constraints:

1. Technical Performance (Quality) 2. Budget (Money) 3. Schedule (Time)

Smallest unit of Management >>>> TASKS

Teamwork requirements
Resources allocation Objectives formulation Responsibilities distribution Time scheduling