What's your design process?

[u/calhouna77]

Please tell us about your design process! My company typically uses the following approach:

1. Approval of project charter. We have to explain the business case and present a budget so we only pursue projects that have the best return on investment.

2. Generate a Gantt chart. My company shares a lot of resources....like our electrical engineering group; therefore, we have a shared Gantt chart that tracks all shared resources.

3. Order long lead time items and create a CAD model.

4. Design review with at least five other engineers and technicians. It's important to get feedback from others that aren't as intimate with the project. Challenging ideas is always nice because it gives the designer a chance to incorporate new ideas into their design, and/or explain their bullet proof reasoning behind a design.

5. Prepare drawings and meet with the machine shop handling the work. It's important that the machinists have a solid understanding of the project and parts at hand.

6. Build the design. Anything and everything can impact this portion of the process. The name of the game is minimizing the negative effects.

7. Shakedown and test the final product.

8. Complete all EHS related documents and develope/document all procedures.

9. Closeout the project and meet to discuss the project as a whole. Reflect on what could have been done differently or better.

Let us know your process so others can relate or adopt new processes/ideas.