I’ve been an R&D Engineer for 10 years at different levels from intern to development lead. I’ve been through the highs of a successful projects, and the lows of having a project fail. There is never a fail-proof way to make something successful, but there are ways to give your project the best chance for success.

I love hearing about peoples personal projects! I love listening to people describe their ideas, problems and how they solve them! But, I often see a similar thread, a burst of enthusiasm at the begining, and ultimately a project thats half done then abandoned. This is where my trainning as an R&D engineer comes in, and I start talking about the Engineering Design Process!

Sphero’s blog gives a great introduction to The Engineering Design Process thats easily accessable. Even though it can seem silly, running personal projects through the Engineering Design Process can help you get that project through to the finish line.

1. Define the Problem
   • What is the core of the problem?
   • What are your goals?
   • What defines success?
   • Write it down!
2. Research, research, research
   • Are there similar projects with similar problems?
   • What other solutions have you or others tried?
   • Write it down!
3. Brainstorm
   • Don’t just focus on your first idea.
   • Ask others!
   • Compare ideas.
   • Write it down!
4. Plan
   • What concepts would you like to build?
   • what will you need to build them?
   • How will you test them?
   • Write it down!
5. Prototype
   • Build your concepts.
   • If your project is ambitious, split it into modules.
   • Write it down!
6. Test
   • Test your concepts.
   • What do you like?
   • What would make it better?
   • Have others use it!
   • Write it down!
7. Improve
   • Did your prototype solve the problem?
   • Did it introduce new problems?
   • What can make it better?
   • Write it down!

I know this can seem a little bit daunting, but I have learned that there are so many resources available, many of them free, that can help keep your project organized.

My plan for this blog is to take a journey through the design process for my next personal project, and hopefully we can learn something together!