Final answer:
The statement that ill-defined problems require a non-programmed decision process is true, as these problems lack clear, predefined solutions and demand innovative and heuristic-based decision-making. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ill-defined problems indeed require a non-programmed decision process. This statement is True. Ill-defined, or unstructured, problems are characterized by their complexity, ambiguity, and lack of a clear solution path. These types of problems generally require creative and innovative thinking, and the decision-making process often involves the use of heuristics and cognitive skills to explore and identify potential solutions.
Within the context of engineering and design, the problem of designing new products is a great example of an ill-defined problem. A structured design process, involving steps such as idea generation through brainstorming and defining the problem by gathering information from customers, is often utilized to systematically approach the challenge.
However, within this structured process, the specific decisions made to solve the design problems are typically non-programmed due to the uniqueness and complexity of each design task.