Design Briefs and Specifications

Start with a broad view

What is a good design? is a useful starting point. Its branches include functionality, quality, safety, aesthetics and environmental impact. Use these headings to think about the different qualities a design might need, then look at how the other maps turn such qualities into requirements.

Design Specification brings together factors such as cost, customer, size, safety, function and manufacture. Compare its branches with the first map and note where the same considerations appear in both.

Explore a design problem

The map on understanding the problem and developing engineering specifications looks at product needs and translating customers’ requirements. Read it before moving to a specific example. It offers a way into the relationship between a design problem and the requirements used to describe it.

Fundamental Requirements gives an example involving a hull, materials, stability, steering and control. Follow its branches to see the range of requirements described for that design. Then return to Design Specification and compare the kinds of factors each map includes.

Compare practical examples

Lamp task considers the buyer and user alongside price, safety and whether the design is fit for purpose. Storage unit includes function, cost, material, size, appearance and ergonomics. Comparing the maps can help you practice identifying requirements for different products.

Task Analysis lists equipment, tools and machines as well as style. Analysis of brief includes a target market and environmental and moral issues. These maps offer different starting points for exploring a brief.

Use the maps together

There are no quizzes on this page, so use the maps to check your understanding instead. After studying one, cover its branches and try to recall its main headings. Reopen it to check, then compare your notes with another map or the flowchart on design criteria justification.

This topic is part of The Design Process in Engineering and technology (general or other). Choose a map and follow its branches to start exploring the collection.