Integrated Design Method (a brief outline)
1A. DEFINE OVERALL GOAL
Based on known observations
(based on everything you already know about "what now is"),
define an overall goal by deciding what you want to design.
1B. DEFINE GOALS
Based on a knowledge of what
is, and inspired by ideas of what could be, define specific goals for
a product by defining the desired properties — the composition
(what it is), functions (what it does), and performances (how well
it does) — of a satisfactory product.
These goals are the focus of
action during the process of design, because goals guide the generation
of ideas for products, and [as shown below] the evaluation of a
potential product is done by comparing goals with predictions (from
imaginary mental experiments) or observations (from actual physical
experiments).
What is the difference between an "overall goal" and a "goal"? To illustrate by example, in the "Introduction to Design" page the overall goal is a minivan, and the goals are the desired properties for a minivan.
2A.
REMEMBER
(gather old information)
Usually the first step in design
is to understand the current situation. Search for old products
(those now existing) that are similar to your goal product. Search
your own memory and our collective memory (in books, websites,... and
in other people) for useful information. For
each old product, gather observations that already are known, and ask
"What are this product's properties, and how closely do these
properties match my goals?"
2B. IMAGINE
(generate new ideas)
Think about possibilities for
creating new products (by modifying an existing product, or...) and
run "thought experiments" to predict how these changes would
affect composition, functions, and performances. Would the predicted
properties of any new product more closely match your goals?
2C. TEST
(do "reality checks")
For each product (old or new)
being considered, get the product by acquiring it (if possible) or constructing
it (if necessary), design experiments that will show you its actual
properties, then compare these properties with your goals.
3.
EVALUATE (and decide)
The process of design
requires generation and evaluation. Each option — each potential product
(old or new, existing in the mind or in reality) — is evaluated by
comparing predicted
properties with goals (for predictive feedback) or by comparing observed
properties with goals (for empirical feedback). Eventually,
you may find a product that satisfactorily achieves your goals, and
you consider the problem solved. Or you continue searching,
or abandon the search.
4. THEORIZE
In an optional mode
of action, you can use Reality Checks — not just to learn about a product
(as
in 2C), but also to learn about your theories — by comparing
predictions with observations so you can evaluate your theories, to
see whether
"the way you think it is" matches "the way it really
is."