Evaluation

Evaluation is not the same as the Assessment or the Design Review phases. Evaluation is an ongoing review of previous decisions and includes the possibility of change or modification.

Design starts with the completely unknown. Yet to design the simplest product involves gathering a mass of detailed information, based on which the designer will make many decisions.

There are different levels of Design. Top level design tends to involve schematic ideas. At this level decisions are made assuming the more detailed lower level problems can be resolved. As the work progresses there is a need to check that the earlier decisions are still consistent with the detail design. Checking and, if necessary, modifying earlier decisions is the Evaluation Process.

The original design idea for the plume and lance failed in manufacture. These ideas were evaluated, changes were made
and successfully implemented. Evaluation also takes place befween the schematic ond detail design phases.