Title: Innovate a product or system to solve a problem or satisfy a need.
Course: Technology Assessment (21054-18) > Section: Innovating a Technical Product or System

Innovation of a product or system should use the engineering design process, which includes the following:

- Define an engineering design problem.
- Identify the criteria (i.e., requirements) and constraints (i.e., restrictions/limits) of the design problem.
- Research potential solutions to the design problem.
- Generate (i.e., brainstorm) multiple solutions to the design problem.
- Sketch the solutions to the design problem.
- Evaluate the requirements and constraints of each solution to the design problem.
- Justify an optimal solution to the design problem.
- Create a model or prototype for the chosen solution to the design problem, using appropriate materials and processes (e.g., 3D rapid prototyping).
- Determine the objectives for an engineering test of the solution to the design problem.
- Test the solution to the design problem, using mathematical, conceptual, and/or physical modeling, simulating, and optimizing.
- Evaluate the test results.
- Formulate an alternate solution to the design problem, if needed.
- Test the alternate solution, if needed.
- Present the final project report.
- Document the final project report.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are some possible products or systems that could be innovated?
- How could a product be altered to accommodate a person with disabilities (e.g., ADA compliant)?
- How could a product be altered to improve it?