BUS593/FSE598Engineering Concept Generation and Selection

10/02/18

Ronald RoedelEmeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering

Director, PSM program in Solar Energy Eng’r and CommercializationArizona State University

The STEM fields

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• The Engineering Method is a strategy employed by engineers (and other critical thinkers) for causing the best change in a poorly understood situation within the available resources

• Problem definition• Generation of possible solutions• Deciding the course of action• Implementing and evaluating the solution

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The Engineering Method

For the Learning Lab, F’18

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Evaluate the Solution

Implement Solution

Decide Course of Action

Generate Solutions

Define the Problem

The Engineering Method – Concept Generation

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A Structured Methodology

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1. Problem Clarification

Problem Decomposition - Divide a complicated problem into simpler subproblems.

• Decomposition by function• The problem is represented as a black box. • Material, energy, signals, etc., are accepted as inputs, then

manipulated, and then delivered as outputs. • The black box is further divided into subfunctions showing the

relations among the various inputs.

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1. Problem Clarification

Problem Decomposition – Carport PV system

Carport

Sun

Constructionmaterials

Electricalcomponents

Financing

Financialreturn

Shade

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2. External Searches

There are several possible ways to find information that may lead to solutions of critical subsystems/subfunctions. These include:• Interview lead users• Consult experts• Search patents• Search relevant websites• Search published technical literature, trade journals,

textbooks• Benchmark related projects

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3. Internal Searches (Brainstorming)

This is the use of personal and team knowledge and creativity to generate solution concepts:divergent thinking and unbounded creativity

• Suspend judgment• Generate a lot of ideas• Welcome even ideas that appear infeasible• Use graphical and physical media• View the problem firsthand

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3. Internal Searches (Brainstorming)

Jump starting the concept generation process.

• Make analogies• "Wish and wonder"• Use related stimuli• Use unrelated stimuli

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4. Systematic Exploration

Combination table

Construction #1

Construction #2

Construction #3

Module #1

Module #2

Module #3

Inverter #1

Inverter #2

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5. Reflection

Examine process for these pitfalls which can prematurely haltconcept generation

• Defining the problem too narrowly• Assuming there is only one right answer• Settling on the first solution that comes to mind• Settling on a solution that almost works

The Engineering Method – Concept Selection

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Method Characteristics

External decision Concepts are turned over to the customer or client for a decision

Product championAn influential member of the team makes the choice based on personal preference

Intuition The concept is chosen because it seems better

Pros and consThe team lists strengths and weaknesses and a choice is made by a group opinion

Prototype and testEach concept is built and tested (as a prototype) and selection is based upon test data

Decision matricesThe team rates each concept against prespecified selection criteria

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Type Characteristics

Unilateral/Authoritarian One person makes the decisions. Little input from teammates, acceptance is low

Handclasp Two teammates make the decisions. Low level of commitment

MinoritySeveral members make the decisions. Looks participatory, but level of commitment is still

low

MajorityThe "democratic" process, gives the illusion of fairness, but often cuts off discussion, reducing

decision quality

Unanimity Everyone agrees, but everyone has veto power

Consensus

Everyone agrees as discussion is finalized. "I might take a different course of action if it were entirely up to me, but I commit my support to

the plan upon which we have all agreed."

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Another Structured Methodology

At this point we need convergent thinking and collaborative decision making

• A customer-focused design - evaluation against customer-oriented criteria ensures this.

• A competitive design - benchmarking concepts with respect to existing designs pushes design to match or exceed the competition.

• Effective group decision making - decision matrices help the team to reduce arbitrary or personal factors in the decision process.

• Documentation of the decision process - a readily understood, systematic rationale is produced.

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Motorcycle ChoiceMusts . Harley Davidson . Moto Guzzi . Can-Ama. Touring Yes Yes Yesb. Two Wheels Yes Yes Noc. . . .Wants (and Weights) Rating/Score Rating/Score Rating/Score

a. V-twin (8) 10 (80) 10 (80) .b. Shaft drive (9) 0 (0) 10 (90) .c. Styling (8) 10 (80) 7 (56) .d. Serviceability (9) 7 (56) 5 (45) .e. Parts (9) 10 (90) 2 (18) .f. Sound (8) 10 (80) 4 (32) .g. . . .

TOTAL: 306 321

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References

• G.Voland, Engineering by Design, Pearson, 2004

• H.S.Fogler, S.E.LeBlanc, and B.Rizzo, Strategies for Creative Problem Solving, 3rd Ed, Pearson, 2014• www.umich.edu/~scps

• K.T.Ulrich and S.D.Eppinger, Product Design and Development, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, 2000