Ronald Roedelroedel.faculty.asu.edu/pdf/FSE598_100218.pdf · 2018. 10. 2. · BUS593/FSE598...
Transcript of Ronald Roedelroedel.faculty.asu.edu/pdf/FSE598_100218.pdf · 2018. 10. 2. · BUS593/FSE598...
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
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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
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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