Final answer:
Question 1, "What was happening when the failure occurred?", is most likely to define an engineering problem specifically. It encourages an objective analysis of the circumstances at the time of the failure, rather than relying on subjective feelings or potential causes without data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Out of the given options, Question 1: "What was happening when the failure occurred?" is most likely to yield a specific definition of a problem because it focuses on the exact circumstances when the problem presented itself.
This allows for a fact-based inquiry, potentially supported by data or observations, making it a more objective approach compared to the other questions.
Questions like "How do you feel about the situation?" and "Can you describe your experience?" are more subjective and focus on personal impressions, which although important, may not pinpoint the precise nature of a technical problem.
Question 4: "Why do you think the problem happened?" while more analytical, it invites speculation and tends to be less specific without supporting data.
When tackling engineering problems, asking questions such as "What is/was the cause of the problem?", "What is/was the effect of the problem?", and "What makes this problem a problem?" can provide clarity on the situation.
Additionally, evaluating potential solutions and understanding the consequences of not resolving the issue are essential steps in the problem-solving process.
To set up a problem correctly, it's crucial to verify that all necessary conditions and known variables are accounted for.
Misunderstanding a question or ignoring some aspect might lead to setting up the problem incorrectly. Feedback, whether from experimentation, simulation, or other team members, can help determine whether the setup is accurate.