The problems that arise and need to be solved in industry require a broad vision, appropriate engineering knowledge, open and creative thinking. Based on this need, the course provides practical and theoretical knowledge, solution methodologies, develops practical engineering skills and abilities, usually through examples. The case studies present the technical background of the developments, the problems to be solved, the development of the conceptual plan of the solutions, the realization of solution alternatives, i.e. the whole process of engineering problem solving.

The goal of engineering problem solving (PS) is to create new technical solutions to engineering problems. Problem solving involves many areas that engineers need to know: searching and selecting problems, breaking down complex problems into parts, exploring history (literature search), finding, selecting and optimizing suitable solution alternatives, checking the solution, and developing a conceptual plan. The course introduces the theoretical foundations and methods of engineering problem solving through presented case studies based on electrical engineering practice.

The subject is accompanied by homework, in which students process an engineering problem and create a conceptual plan to solve it.

Week 1: Introduction, definitions, purpose and relationships of engineering problem solving (PS), its role in innovation

Week 2: The EC2000 engineering standard and its parts, the place of problem solving in engineering practice

Week 3: Requirements, forms of engineering documentation, sources of information

Week 4: The problem-solving cycle, parameters, constraints and limitations

Week 5: Basics of decision support and product development methods used in the PS cycle (e.g. Analytic Hierarchy Process, Quality Function Deployment, Pugh method)

Week 6: Problem solving cycle case study (Superconducting Energy Storage Flywheel design)

Week 7: Psychological factors, their interpretation, critical thinking. Personal conditions of the PS, team and group work, skills and abilities to help solve the problem

Week 8: Basic methods of finding new solutions, the role of contradictions, ways to resolve them

Week 9: Methods for improving solutions

Week 10: Methods and tools of conceptual design. The role, content and structure of engineering feasibility studies. Engineering feasibility case study (measurement of torque of a valve drive)

Week 11: Practice - Defining the Problem

Week 12: Practice - from requirements to specification

Week 13: Practice - searching for ideas and solutions

Week 14: Practice - evaluation, concept outline