Final answer:
Process objectives in engineering are different from other types of objectives and focus on the steps and activities of the design process itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
In engineering, process objectives refer to the specific objectives related to the steps and activities involved in the engineering design process. These objectives are different from other types of objectives because they focus on the process itself rather than the end result. For example, a process objective could be to gather feedback from stakeholders at each iteration of the design process to ensure continuous improvement. Process objectives are an exception to the rules for essential objectives because they are not directly measurable or quantifiable like other objectives. Essential objectives are typically defined as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), whereas process objectives may not meet all of these criteria. Overall, process objectives play a crucial role in guiding the engineering design process and ensuring the quality of the resulting design.