An engineering process is a set of steps that engineers often follow to solve problems. It is highly iterative and certain parts of the process may be repeated many times within one project. The steps may be framed and articulated differently.
Research is the first step. This includes finding information, identifying needs and understanding constraints. It is a crucial part of the engineering design process, as it allows engineers to determine the best solution to the given problem.
Once researchers have collected enough data, they can begin brainstorming solutions to the issue. This can be done a number of ways, and is where engineering creativity really thrives. This is also a stage where potential solutions are analyzed and evaluated. This could include simulation studies, generating decision matrixes, or even creating prototypes to compare.
In this stage students choose one of their top ideas and come up with a plan for how to develop it. The students then build the prototype using the materials they have chosen and test it to ensure that it meets their requirements for performance. Students may have to test their prototype and then revise it to ensure that it functions as intended.
This is a great way to demonstrate the importance of problem-solving and iteration. Engineers are known to develop an idea then test the solution, then discover a new issue. The process is repeated until the engineer comes up with a solution which meets their expectations.