Engineering - Systematically analyze complex information and apply a holistic (systematic) approach in designing solution

To seek an insight of how an engineer designs solutions for a particular problem with analysis of complex information, it is significant to understand the essence of engineering. Engineering is about creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes. (The Engineers' Council for Professional Development, 1941) Engineers start with numerous data and scientific principles and use systematic and logical way to combine these information to design a system or process for a desired purpose, usually the solution for a practical problem.

In order to achieve this, engineers are trained to seek an optimized combination of different elements or parameters to create an ideal model. This needs their analysis on complex conditions of the problem they have encountered. They have to simplify the complex problem to sub-problem and individual step to analyze. Usually a problem may cover broad range of disciplines and require consideration on various aspects. After the analysis of complex information relevant to the problem, models are created to connect and merge the information engineers have. Information has to be connected to shed light on the solution of the problem. This is what “holistic” means in the world of engineering. With the guidance of scientific methods and engineering principles, engineers can test and adjust the models to make sure its feasibility and reliability.

Here is an example to illustrate how engineers work in such a process. For a mechanical engineering to design a new aeroplane model, he starts with the collecting of different data and parameters. The information includes the plane’s fluid dynamics, the coordination between wings and empennage, electrical system, radar system, power supply system (maybe this should be done by a group of engineers). The design of an aeroplane has been broken into sub-problems to be analyzed. Then a system or model is set up to merge all the solutions of sub-problems. Pieces are not added together but integrated into a whole. After the numerous testing of the new aeroplane models, adjustment and redesign are made for the final product.

That is how “engineer has been, and is, a maker of history”.

---- James Kip Finch (December 1 1883 - 1967) was an American engineer and educator

(Finch)

                                       

References:

Finch, J. K. (n.d.). James Kip Finch quotes. Retrieved January 21, 2009, from Thinkexist.com: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/james_kip_finch/

The Engineers' Council for Professional Development. (1941, 11). Science,Volume 94, Issue 2446 , p. pp. 456.