A Suggested Taxonomy for Engineering Design Problems

SUMMARY An eight-factor non-orthogonal taxonomy is suggested for the categorization of engineering design problems or situations, together with scaling in relation to these factors. It is suggested that, in view of the broad scope of design activity, discussions on design require such a framework to avoid foundering on cross-purposes, and that such a categorization may allow correlations between problems and classes of likely solution methods. Discussion in this journal of the notions contained in this paper is strongly encouraged, so that refinements may occur and so that a broad background of usage of the taxonomy may start to accumulate.