A GENERAL DESIGN METHODOLOGY

• Problem: recognize that a problem exists, and develop a concise statement of the problem.
  
  
• Objectives: study the parameters of the problem, and convert them into engineering language you are familiar with.
  
  
• Literature Survey: assimilate existing knowledge about the problem, and search for similar data (related experiments, evaluations, etc.)
  
  
• Analysis: analyze the problem based on the knowledge gained from the literature survey, produce a set of design constraints, and generate test specifications to verify these design constraints.
  
  
• Synthesis: manipulate the analysis to yield a family of solutions (typically through simulation and prototyping).
  
  
• Evaluation: choose the best solution and verify it meets the design constraints.
  
  
• Presentation: communicate the solution to your peers/management.