USE OF QUALITATIVE INFORMATION DURING ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS

The process of solving engineering problems is design practice that requires the problem solving creative skills, interdisciplinary knowledge and teamwork. Nowadays successful and satisfactory solutions of engineering problems mostly depend on levels of a combination of human and technical resources and information technology. The engineering design process is a series of steps where engineering teams use and repeat as many times as needed to solve the problems. From problem identification through synthesis, analysis and solution development till selection of the best solution and prototype construction, finding, selecting and using 'proper' information is of great importance. Information technologies are tools and techniques that "study, design, develop, implement, support or manage information systems through software applications and computer hardware equipment". Tools most commonly used today are computers and mobile phones/mobiles, while techniques are numerous and depend on machines and the ability of the user. During the design process devices (computers with accessories) are used and techniques (software) are developed to aid in the collection, organization, storage, retrieval, interpretation and use of factual and relevant information - qualitative information. Therefore, a design process often presents a "provocation" and "challenge" for an engineer, who among many tasks needs to take the "right" decisions for getting "the best" solution based on qualitative information. In this paper a methodology and algorithm of the information flow are elaborated from collection to the qualitative selection of information before use for each phase of the engineering design process. This methodology and algorithm that was called "FPU - Info" can be used to solve any type of problem and may encourage students/engineers to follow the steps of the design process to strengthen their understanding of open-ended design and emphasize creativity and practicality.