Final answer:
The engineering design process begins with defining the problem, followed by researching, establishing criteria, generating ideas, selecting and prototyping a design, testing and evaluating, refining, communicating the results, and implementing the final design. It is iterative and may vary depending on the size of the engineering firm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order of steps to follow in the engineering design process often begins with identifying and defining the problem that needs to be solved. This is considered the first step in the design process. Once the problem is clearly defined, the subsequent steps typically include:
- Research and explore possibilities to better understand the problem and the requirements for a successful solution.
- Establish criteria and constraints to help focus the design and evaluate potential solutions.
- Generate ideas through brainstorming different ways to approach the problem.
- Select a design that appears to best meet the criteria and constraints from the generated ideas.
- Develop and build a prototype or model of the selected design to test its functionality.
- Test and evaluate the prototype against the design criteria and constraints.
- Make necessary improvements and refine the design based on testing feedback.
- Communicate process and results to stakeholders.
- Implement the final design for production or deployment.
It is important to note that the design process is iterative; designers often cycle back to earlier steps as they refine their designs and make improvements. Additionally, the size of the engineering firm and resources available can influence how these steps are executed.