Research, idea generation, sketching, prototyping, modelling and testing

What this note covers

1. Convert a need into measurable criteria
2. Generate alternatives before committing
3. Use prototypes to answer named questions
4. Model performance before manufacture
5. Test against the specification
6. Maintain a traceable design loop
7. Worked prototype experiment: isolate one uncertain design variable
8. Applied concept selection: combine a weighted matrix with failure testing

8 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes