Engineering design processes, problem solving and creativity

There is confusion as to what the terms in the title mean. None of them are clearly defined. “The engineering design processes” are often confused with open-ended problems. “Problem solving” has many definitions. “Creativity” is much more than the prevalent “free-thinking” view. The lack of a common definition leads to confusion when people, faculty included, are discussing these topics. There are many listings of the steps or phases which comprise the engineering design processes. There are also many listing of the steps or phases of problem solving. Although completing an engineering design is solving a problem, “problem solving” is not engineering design. Engineering design and problem solving can be distinguished by the activities that take place during the project. Early in most descriptions of problem solving and the design processes, there is usually a step called “search for alternatives” or “ideate”. This implies that creativity is needed only in this step. The prevalent “free-thinking” view of creativity also implies that creativity will happen if all constraints and negative attitudes are removed. There are positive techniques that can help everyone become more creative. These structured creative enhancement techniques provide a tool to quantify creative skills. This quantification also makes creative skills easier to teach. These creative enhancement techniques are consistent with the structure of the engineering design processes and the phases of problem solving. In fact, these creative skills must be used throughout the engineering design processes to produce a “better” design in a shorter time!