In depth of Design Process

The Design Process refers as a linear sequence of events having a start and an end point. Moreover, design is a problem solving activity that requires accurate definition of the problem at the start. Above all, Design deals with decisions of taste, choice and sensitivity and moreover, it depends on your value judgments.

Most importantly, designing does not guarantee customer satisfaction as conformance to quality and potential to make it operational in present infrastructure is needed.

Design Principles

The design process is undertaken in response to technological innovation or changing market requirements and trends. Moreover, the principles followed by successful companies are,

• Firstly, strategic balance to ensure that both old and new product service developments are important. Updating old products, services and processes, ensures continuing cash generation from which completely new products may be funded.
• After that, the top management approach to design to set the tone and ensure that commitment is the common objective by visibly supporting the design effort.
• Lastly, teamwork, to ensure that once projects are under way, specialist inputs, e.g. from marketing and technical experts, are fused and problems are tackled simultaneously.

Above all, quality is affected by design in packaging, maintenance, warranty details, spare-part availability, etc.

You should know that, proper design of plant and equipment helps in elimination of errors, defectives, and waste. And, correct initial design also obviates the need for costly and wasteful modifications to be carried out after the plant or equipment has been constructed. Moreover, it is at the plant design stage that such important matters as variability, reproducibility, ease of use in operation, maintainability, should receive detailed consideration.

Design Process Steps

The Design Process usually consist of following steps,

• Firstly, identifying a Need or Purpose in a given situation.
• Then, producing short design brief.
• Listing all major areas of work and allocate deadlines.
• Then , looking at the brief and producing list of research questions.
• After that, identifying and collating information only relevant to the Analysis of Brief
• Then, producing a list of design requirements found from research relevant to the Brief.
• Generating a range of different possible solutions satisfying the Specification.
• Then, producing the solution.
• Testing your solution against the Brief and Specification.
• After that, listing modifications to improve the solution’s effectiveness.
• Lastly,  evaluating the project against the Brief and Specification, giving recommendations.

Design Process Structure

By structuring the design process, it is possible to:

• Firstly, controlling the various stages.
• Checking that they have been completed.
• After that, deciding which management functions need to be brought in and at what stage.
• Lastly, estimating the level of resources needed.

Needs of Design Process

The design process needs are,

• First,a range of advance skills.
• Secondly, the way of using these skills.
• Then, the way they interact.
• Lastly, the amount of effort devoted to the different stages of the design and development process is fundamental to the quality, producibility, and price of the service or final product.

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