Design Methodology 2026 |
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is design? A process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs and
specifications within constraints.
What type of process is design? An iterative, creative, decision-making process to convert resources into solutions.
What activities are involved in design? Identifying opportunities, developing requirements, performing analysis and
synthesis, generating multiple solutions, evaluating solutions against requirements,
considering risks and trade-offs, and obtaining a high-quality solution.
Does design require invention? No. Design does not require invention, but it might.
Why do some people consider design to be a "swamp"? Because it is poorly defined, easy to get stuck in, and occurs in a complex
environment.
What is selection design? Selecting or assembling standard off-the-shelf components.
What is configuration design? Optimizing performance through the arrangement of off-the-shelf items.
What is parametric design? Varying geometric and performance parameters to create an entire family of
designs.
What is original design? The true "cutting edge" design category.
What is product design? Design of consumer products, appliances, and defense or civil related systems
where multiple replicates and tight budgets are implied.
What is systems design? Design of systems such as utility stations, process plants, and communications
systems.
What are examples of one-off designs? Government: bridges, dams, space stations.
Private: luxury yachts, custom homes.
, What is emphasized in product design? "For profit" issues remain in the forefront.
How do design decisions affect cost? Design activity is a low percentage of total cost, but design decisions have major
cost effects.
How is quality achieved in product design? Quality is designed in rather than defects being sieved out.
What are goals of product design? High quality, cost competitiveness, and short cycle time.
What types of requirements must designs consider? Performance, physical, environmental, aesthetic, manufacturability, and cost.
What total life cycle factors must design consider? Material selection, producibility, durability, energy usage (cradle to grave), material
usage (cradle to grave), and recyclability.
What additional design considerations exist? Meeting codes and standards, health and safety, human factors, and ergonomics.
What are the eight design steps according to Dieter? Define the problem
Gather information
Concept generation
Evaluate concepts
Product (process) architecture
Configuration design
Parametric design
Detail design
What happens during conceptual design? Define the problem, gather information, generate concepts, and evaluate concepts.
What happens during embodiment design? Product architecture and configuration design.
What happens during detail design? Parametric design and detail design.
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,What is design? A process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs and
specifications within constraints.
What type of process is design? An iterative, creative, decision-making process to convert resources into solutions.
What activities are involved in design? Identifying opportunities, developing requirements, performing analysis and
synthesis, generating multiple solutions, evaluating solutions against requirements,
considering risks and trade-offs, and obtaining a high-quality solution.
Does design require invention? No. Design does not require invention, but it might.
Why do some people consider design to be a "swamp"? Because it is poorly defined, easy to get stuck in, and occurs in a complex
environment.
What is selection design? Selecting or assembling standard off-the-shelf components.
What is configuration design? Optimizing performance through the arrangement of off-the-shelf items.
What is parametric design? Varying geometric and performance parameters to create an entire family of
designs.
What is original design? The true "cutting edge" design category.
What is product design? Design of consumer products, appliances, and defense or civil related systems
where multiple replicates and tight budgets are implied.
What is systems design? Design of systems such as utility stations, process plants, and communications
systems.
What are examples of one-off designs? Government: bridges, dams, space stations.
Private: luxury yachts, custom homes.
, What is emphasized in product design? "For profit" issues remain in the forefront.
How do design decisions affect cost? Design activity is a low percentage of total cost, but design decisions have major
cost effects.
How is quality achieved in product design? Quality is designed in rather than defects being sieved out.
What are goals of product design? High quality, cost competitiveness, and short cycle time.
What types of requirements must designs consider? Performance, physical, environmental, aesthetic, manufacturability, and cost.
What total life cycle factors must design consider? Material selection, producibility, durability, energy usage (cradle to grave), material
usage (cradle to grave), and recyclability.
What additional design considerations exist? Meeting codes and standards, health and safety, human factors, and ergonomics.
What are the eight design steps according to Dieter? Define the problem
Gather information
Concept generation
Evaluate concepts
Product (process) architecture
Configuration design
Parametric design
Detail design
What happens during conceptual design? Define the problem, gather information, generate concepts, and evaluate concepts.
What happens during embodiment design? Product architecture and configuration design.
What happens during detail design? Parametric design and detail design.
