Use these instructions and questions when writing your lab reports to ensure you cover all necessary parts of Engineering Design and the DMAIC process.
Define/Ask & Research – Determine the problem or the goal of your work. What are you trying to develop or solve? Do you have a specific goal to attain? Who is it for, and how will it be presented?
What are the requirements? Consider external sources if you need to research to help define your problem. What are the ethical implications of a project like this? How can solving the problem be helpful to people or contribute to society in some way?
Measure – Engineering design usually involves either be given access to data or have some information regarding what you are measuring so you can collect your own data. What data is either available or being collected? How is this data being used? What is the frequency of data collection? How are you using this data? If measuring your own data, be sure to discuss how it is being collected and from where.
Analyze/Imagine – Based on the problem and information available, consider potential solutions for your problem. This may sometimes involve teammates, depending on the assignment or project being completed. Try to be creative and build on other ideas if needed. This section is key for ensuring good teamwork! Ensure everyone’s ideas are included and have a good conversation about potential solutions.
Implementation & Improvement/Plan & Prototype – Create a design based on your selected solution.
This does not necessarily mean your design will work right away. Create a prototype and test it. If it does not work, consider how you can redesign your solution to better meet your needs. You may go through multiple iterations before reaching a final stage.
Control/Test – How are you ensuring success of your solution? Can your solution be repeated? Keep a record of any testing done, as well as the frequency/times of testing, to ensure that your results are both repeatable and reliable.
Once you have addressed each of these sections, be sure to include some form of conclusion to explain how the overall project went for you/your team. What did you learn? How could the lab be improved? Do you understand the concept driving this lab?
