On The Subject Of Creativity In Engineering

Along with the concept of man-in-the-computer loop, the difficulty that crops up most often for the practicing engineer, is that of converting a given problem or subsystem into a mathematical model. One may appreciate the mathematical significance, but the translation of the actual system into an abstract system can be troublesome. A system approach where needless ambiguities have been discarded or thoroughly weeded is a means of solving the difficulty. It is far too easy to formulate lengthy and complicated, resulting in lost excitement and value of the experience. An inquiry with optimum approach related to short-type-problems, the most difficult to devise, may produce the most economical and effective true information.

Decision-making processes are used in the formulation of plans for the physical realization of machines, devices, and systems. It is necessary to apply them to practical situations of man-machine products, structures, devices, and instruments. For the most part the mechanical engineer utilizes mathematics, the materials sciences and engineering mechanics sciences. Worthy of note, is the nomenclature used in the more advanced situational aspects, for continuity and reference. In this manner single elements of problems are put together to form complete systems, which becomes progressively more comprehensive. "Recognition of a need" and phrasing it in so many words is often a highly creative act. Recognition or a sensing that something is not right is usually triggered by a particular adverse circumstance or a set of random circumstances which arise. Effectively recognize a need, and do something about it.

There are distinct difference in the statements and identification of the problem. To lay bare substantial documentation, to bring them to explicit statement, and then examine what can be deduced from the assumptions is crucial. References should be used to aid in following an argument or in comparing similar problems. Time is wasted, learning is retarded, and frustrations are generated when incorrect documentation are produced on the basis of misleading interpretations. The problem is either more specific or there is an iteration, with feedback loops, between the definition of the problem and recognition of the need. This loop is necessarily traversed many times before the optimum problem has been defined. An optimization procedure is involved, in traversing the loop between the identification of the subsystem (problem) and the recognition of a need. The process of defining the problem can be very discouraging.

Free association is the term for the verbalization off all one's thoughts. At this point open creativity may come into the picture for the well-informed. Whereas others can regard the specific problem as something in a black box, or belonging to the black world. The synthesis stages may be described as scheming. E.g. pencil-thinking the B-2 bomber. Further, the idea stage, where preliminary synthesizing takes place is often the stage where the objective is to obtain the basic configuration. However, the synthesis of an optimum solution cannot take place without both analysis and optimization. I.e. the system under design must be analyzed to determine whether the performance complies within the specifications.

Inversion methods is a reversal of the order of things. Subtraction is the inverse of addition; division is the inverse of multiplication. For the engineer it is now necessary to create a series of opportunities which would be likely to permit a bridging by pure chance to happen. Both analysis and optimization require abstract models of system which will admit some form of mathematical analysis. The rule in making the assumptions, that is, in creating the mathematical model, is that the model must be meaningful. Now this is not the same as saying that the model must be the correct one. A very large number of models can be formulated and the only correct one is the real problem itself. I.e. the appropriate model considering all the problem-solving constraints involved.

The professional has learned by experience not to be afraid of the possibility of not being readily understood. Occasional failure or criticism seems to accompany every really creative idea.

Ron Certitude
2008-10-02