Supporting novice engineers in idea generation using Design Heuristics

Abstract

How can beginning engineers learn to generate a variety of candidate concepts to consider? Because they likely have little experience with idea generation, training in specific techniques may be especially useful. Design Heuristics are an evidence-based tool developed to help engineers expand diversity of ideas considered during the front-end phase of design. Brainstorming is a common ideation technique in both engineering education and practice. Our research sought to compare the characteristics of ideas generated by incoming engineering freshmen using both techniques. The analyses of this study involve qualitative patterns in a subset of data collected from 94 incoming engineering freshmen. We explored diversity, fixation, and the scope of the concepts generated. Ideas were coded based on a variety tree coding scheme, students' self-perceptions, and system vs. component scope. We found that concepts generated using Design Heuristics were more likely to focus on the methods for achieving functions and on specific components, while Brainstormed ideas tended towards more holistic systems. The results suggest that alternative tools for idea generation may serve to focus attention on different qualities of design, and that multiple tools may be important for design in engineering education.