March 07, 2021

The Design Checklist

    

    


As a Design Engineer I often stumble along the treacherous path of creating a product or service and have learned without a strong structure we all go astray. Below is my checklist to ensure I remain on the paved road with my sights focused on a quality deliverable. Just remember, it’s the journey that matters- as the destination will incrementally change and morph throughout. 

1. Define the Design Objective

    a. A clear Problem Definition/Statement [Gather Data]

  • Cause and Effect: the fundamental (root) problem, not just treating symptoms
    • Discusson: what are known facts (is / is not), unknowns, desired outcomes. *Vary the ways of asking to extract the data.
  • Leap of Faith Assumptions (LOFA): The customer wants... 
    • Consider what constraints may exist, what is predefined, assumed, and/or not communicated. Align with the language of the customer.
    b. Create the Project Scope and Objectives
  • Test Clarity: Reframe the findings and assumptions back to the stakeholders or 3rd parties to validate the problem solving, decision making, or opportunity that is to be done, and the level of effort involved.

2. Design Inputs

    a. Constraints
    b. Assumptions
    c. Requirements
  • Functional- System Design
  • Performance- Operational, Human Factors, Materials
  • Safety- Codes & Standards
  • Interfacing- Systems/Structures/Components, Logistics, Contracts
  • Manufacturing- Scaling, Economics
  • Installation & Commissioning- Testing, Acceptance Criteria
    d. OPEX- Operating Experience of previous designs, experience, research, technical studies and                 reports
    e. Design Basis- How it fits in the holistic system, what is derived from the existing analysis
    f. Critical Performance Attributes- what must be met to deem it a success
    g. Actions for mitigating, controlling and monitoring Risks and Margins
    h. Build- Measure- Learn cycle [the Agile approach]
    g. Product/Service Specification (beware of scope creep)
  • Spec consists of a Metric and a Value. A metric is a measure of quantitatively assessing or controlling an attribute, and a value is number, range, or inequality (ex. binary- pass/fail)    

3. Design Process

    a. Generate Options
  • Explore internally/externally, and develop a systematic combination table or classification tree    
    b. Evaluate Options
  • Using a weighted (rating) decision matrix- input from voting, surveys, pros/cons, testing data
    c. Test the Hypothesis Statement: Concept Testing
  • Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Proof of Concept
  • Pivot or Persevere Meetings
  • Prototyping and Customer/Market Validation (ex. ROI)
    d. Use Acceptable (Engineering) Methodology, and Quality Assurance (QA)
  • Consistent and repeatable results, must outline the programs, procedures and steps
    e. A Phased Approach
  • Conceptual, Preliminary and Detailed Design- iteration is expected and early hold/check points earlier in the process can limit rework costs 

4. Design Outputs

    a. Calculations, Assessments, Report
    b. General Assembly and Detailed Drawings
    c. Tangible Products
    d. Structured Services
    e. Business and Marketing Plan

An additional advantage to performing the 4 steps above is to:

Form a Hub for Collaboration: to ensure a cycle of host & beneficiary relationships like the shark and pilot fish, in a harmonous symbiotic relationship supporting eachothers growth.
  • Collaborative workspace for ideas/execution (can be virtual)
  • Allow support for new technologies and applications
  • Access to tools (software & equipment) and intrapreneur experts
  • Quick pitch/validation for engaging cross functional teams
  • New opportunities and efficiencies to explore

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And finally, here is an assortment of Innovation- Best Practices (currated online) to stimulate all forms of thoughts- to get the creative juices flowing! I find these range well, covering all types of designs- big and small:

Brainstorm

  • Questionnaires and assessments
  • Research markets and customers
  • Search for alternative solutions
  • Monitor patent applications
  • Use web search engines
  • Bench-mark activities
  • Look in the value chain
  • Learn from customers
  • Explore product platforms
  • Look for unexplored fields
  • Form strategic alliances
  • Assess virtual prototyping

Implementing - Applications
  • Implement knowledge management systems
  • Acquire the finest talent
  • Import external innovators
  • Cultivate visionaries
  • Develop a distributed network of experts
  • Build an incubator/accelerator hub
  • Offer a venture planning toolkit and finance options
  • Implement Cross Functional team structure
  • Stay flexible
  • Encourage communication and sharing
  • Follow change management program
  • Establish measures of innovation performance
  • Build a climate of trust
  • Create the Culture- Encourage creativity, train innovators
  • Provide incentives, and skill development
  • Perpetual mentoring  

Demonstration

  • Develop, communicate and implement Innovation Strategy
  • Take the Lead, and Communicate top-down messages
  • Continual coaching and Facilitation
  • Set Goals for innovation- to be a market leader
  • Challenge the norms (of status quo, and resistance)
  • Remove cynics and blockers
  • Review progress, analyze risks
  • Objectives (products, process, services)
  • Understand resource allocation
  • Patience & Persistence

 Performance Indicators

  • Targets, repeatability
  • Return on Investment (ROI)- defensible and scalable profit sources
  • Portfolio based outlook (not project)
  • Technologies, Competitiveness (insights for value proposition)
  • Core competencies and transferable knowledge
  • Resource allocation usage statistics

 - Nem