Chapter 6.11, Problem 1P

Discuss the following statement as it relates to the stage of the design process you have achieved thus far. The design process is the divergent-convergent process.

To determine

Discussion on statement, “The design process is divergent-convergent process”.

Explanation of Solution

Design process in its initial stages starts from the need of the society which gives a vague description of design problem considering neither of the involved parameters. In this initial description only intended function is specified which is not sufficient to design the system or a product, at this instant the problem is viewed as a mere functional requirement but as the brainstorming reaches to the end, design problem become more diverse taking into account a wide spectrum of factors affecting the intended function.

In the second phase of a design problem all the factors are classified into two categories which are controllable and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors are considered as design variables and uncontrollable factors are left as it is. Now, in this phase problem starts to converge as the number of parameters are reduced.

In third phase, analysis and synthesis of the design is done which further reduces the complexity of design problem. Once the design is synthesized, it is subjected to testing and simulation for its appraisal.

Thus the design process is a divergent-convergent process.