Final answer:
Brainstorming is the process of generating ideas without concern for feasibility, commonly used in engineering to collect a broad range of potential solutions aiding in defining and solving design problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process used to find a solution to a problem by collecting ideas without regard for feasibility is called brainstorming. This approach is often utilized in the early stages of the design process when engineers generate ideas, and it is characterized by unstructured and free-flowing idea dumps, also known as mind searches. During brainstorming sessions, participants are encouraged to think broadly and propose as many ideas as possible, even if they may not be immediately practical or feasible. This form of idea generation is essential for innovation and helps in defining the design problem more clearly by gathering a wide range of potential solutions.
Techniques used to define the design problem may include finding expert information, identifying the real problem, and gathering information from customers. In engineering, this exploratory phase helps teams to brainstorm alternative solutions and explore possibilities in order to improve the design and understand the design characteristics, even including ideas that may at first seem impractical.