Which phase of the design process involves creating a chart of possible designs?

The phase of the design process that involves creating a chart of possible designs is the conceptual design phase. During this stage, engineers and designers develop various ideas and concepts to address the identified problem. By creating multiple design options, they can visually map out the possibilities and evaluate how each concept might meet the specified requirements.

In the conceptual design phase, the focus is on creativity and exploration. This is where brainstorming occurs, and different ideas are represented in a way that allows for comparison and further analysis. Creating a chart of possible designs helps in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each concept, guides decision-making, and sets the foundation for selecting the most viable options for further development.

Understanding the problem sets the stage for the design process but does not delve into specifics about design alternatives. Product function specifications provide detailed criteria that the final design should meet, while prototype testing is focused on evaluating and validating designs through physical models or simulations. Hence, conceptual design is where the actual chart of various designs will take shape.