Session: DTM-01-01 - New Models, Constructs, and Explanations in DTM

Paper Number: 88445

88445 - Investigation of Mechanical Engineering Students' Perceptions of Design Process Models 

Engineering designers, who are increasingly tasked with solving complex problems, leverage various forms of support to practice and develop their design skills as well as ultimately navigate the complexity of the problems with which they are faced. Design process models are one such form of support, particularly those process models that prescribe how to design. To better understand how process models impact design approaches, this preliminary study analyzed semi-structured interviews—focused on participants’ perceptions of three design process models—with six upper-level mechanical engineering students. The design process models investigated included two more traditional design process models and one design process model intending to emphasize social engagement to see if/how perceptions differed across models. Across participants’ responses, we identified eight dimensions used to distinguish the usefulness of each process model: impacts considered, project scope, stakeholder interactions, problem definition, project deliverable, solution novelty, solution type, and process applicability. In addition, participants differentiated the three process models based on iteration and the level of detail within a model. Our findings highlight the importance of accounting for varying interpretations across process model users and suggest that students would benefit from multiple design process models, including process models that recognize society and people in engineering decision-making.

Presenting Author: Kelley Dugan University of Michigan

Presenting Author Biography: Kelley E. Dugan is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her current research focuses on exploration of design process models, assessment of socially engaged engineering skills, and assessments of systems thinking skills. Her research interests include complex problem solving, front-end design practices, and design behavior for sustainability. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University. Prior to starting graduate school, she worked in the consumer appliance industry for two years. Kelley is also a Graduate Facilitator with the Center for Socially Engaged Design and a Graduate Academic Liaison with the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning.

Authors:

Kelley Dugan University of Michigan
Shanna R. Daly University of Michigan