HARNESSING QUESTIONS IN MECHANICAL DESIGN

ENGINEER THESIS

MABOGUNJE ADEGBOYEGA
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
JULY 1993

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES x

LIST OF FIGURES xi

Chapter 1. HARNESSING QUESTIONS 1

Definition 1

Questions in mechanical design 2

Exploring the uses of a question reservoir 5

Managing design changes 6

Conceptual framework 9

Deliverable 10

Overview 11

Chapter 2. DEVELOPING A BLUEPRINT 12

Design change scenario 14

Recording questions 17

Analyzing questions 18

Observations from trials 1 and 2 25

Chapter 3. BUILDING A PROTOTYPE 28

Recycling questions 28

Observations from trial 3 37

Observations from trial 4 40

Miscellaneous observations 43

Summary 45

Chapter 4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 47

Requirements for an active ME210 document 48

Design Alternatives 50

Test Procedure 51

Chapter 5. REFLECTING ON THE BLUEPRINT 53

On the state of design in the U.S. 54

Systemic problem 56

Chain-linked model of innovation 59

Relearning design from industry 60

Criticality of questions 61

Bringing it all together 76

APPENDICES

A. Alternative question classification schemes 78

Classification by subject categories 78

Classification by semantic categories 79

Classification by associated knowledge structures 80

Classification by critical thinking groups 81

B. Question descriptor 82

C. Computer interface prototyped by designer 3 83

D. Selected hard copy pages of proposed requirements document 84

BIBLIOGRAPHY 88