As an engineer, I have a process for designing a solution to a problem. We have developed an engineering design cycle. This process helps engineers go from a problem to a solution. There are several steps to this process.
First, we have to define the problem. This is actually the most important step of the engineering design cycle. This is the step where an engineer (in this case me) really tries to understand what it is that needs to be fixed. Steve Jobs says, “If you have defined the problem correctly, you almost have the solution.” And he’s not wrong. The more clearly and concisely the problem is defined, the closer to a solution you are.
Once the problem is defined, it is important to identify the constraints. All problems are solvable with unlimited resources and time, however, that is NOT how things really work. So choices have to be made and questions have to be asked. What is really necessary? What is really important? What can I really do?
Next, it is time to brainstorm various ideas. This is my favorite part. What are the things that could be done to solve my problem? This is creativity at it’s best. The more creative a solution the better.
Then we need to evaluate our options. Which ones are most likely to work? Which ones will meet our constraints? Which ones will do what I really want? In this one, we use all our knowledge (and the knowledge of others) to make sure that we aren’t using faulty logic and making mistakes.
Once we have looked at all the solutions and evaluated the best ones, we choose one and iterate it until it works to solve our problem. We will make minor tweaks until it absolutely works and meets our constraints and works to solve the problem.
And then lastly, we present our solution to the world.
This process is fairly straightforward. But the truth is that we jump around in it a lot. Sometimes as we start evaluating solutions we begin to realize that we didn’t define the problem as well as we should have. Sometimes we find that when we present our solution we missed some research that could have helped. But, it is a procedure with which I am intimately familiar. Honestly, I think using this process I can engineer my way out of depression and feeling like I don’t belong. I can engineer joy.
It won’t be easy. It won’t always be fun. Join me on my journey through engineering wholeness.
Engineering Wholeness 