We are probably at the stage in the understanding of design corresponding to that of the Greeks in the understanding of matter. Information on electronics design practice can be collected fairly readily, but what are the basic elements in the design process? This is the largest area of unknown in the committee's field of inquiry and is likely to require a considerable amount of creative thought before an adequate set of concepts can be formed. Success in this area would probably transform the whole of the design field, from the training of designers to the practice of design. The design of electronic equipment is as good a field, and perhaps the best, in which to carry out a fundamental study of this sort. The large variations in design practice resulting from the flexibility of electronic techniques suggest that the outcome of the study could be applied selectively to any field of design.

Decision mechanisms in the various design and user environments will also be investigated. Some results of such studies in the mechanical engineering field have been published, and some concepts, such as tractability and critical decisions in design, have been evolved. A great deal more effort is needed, with electronics design particularly in mind.

Another source of confusion over the interpretation of the word 'design' arises from its identification with a particular stage or area of the organisation set up to produce the equipment. Since the organisation and its attendant procedure vary from one company or department to another, 'design' takes on a variety of meanings. It would be very illuminating to study and classify the various design procedures adopted by different organisations. A company brought up in the mechanical engineering tradition and adding electronics to its activities will probably impress mechanical design procedures on the electronics design activity. The drawing office will loom large in the course of design, and indeed control of design may be through a designer draughtsman (see e above). In other companies, the drawing office will come in at a later stage when the basic design has been completed (see f above). Organisations such as one designing a single piece of equipment for internal use will not go through successive prototype stages. In others, design is not regarded as complete until 50 models have been produced. Inquiry into practice of this sort will enable us to determine if there is any correlation between procedure and the mixture of basic elements of the design process.

The number of stages involved in the evolution of even a simple piece of electronic equipment is fairly large. A procedural list drawn up many years ago is given in Table 1. It was compiled by thinking back on what had taken place, without conscious organisation, during the evolution of a particular range of electronic equipment. The list, as well as indicating a procedure, delineated the responsibilities of an electronics design engineer in a particular design and user environment; but where in the Table does design begin and end and what is the essential function of the designer? Clearly, from the Table, the designer is responsible for activities that are not by any stretch of the imagination concerned with design as such. Should he be?

review literature

choose method

make initial calculations

investigate doubtful points

make detailed calculations

prepare circuit diagrams specify special components prepare rough layout diagrams

supervise work in shops assemble and wire

carry out experimental investigation

informal discussion with drawing office

revise circuit diagram

revise specification of special components

order components and deal with any complications arising

repare detailed layout diagram

supervise work in shops

assemble and wire

carry out experimental investigation

make further calculations

modify to improve performance, ease production etc.

investigate likely production variations

write customers' instructions and dispatch equipment

discuss equipment with customer

modify equipment to meet points raised by customer

test, or return to customer for test, if necessary

production prototype

detailed discussion with drawing office

revise circuit diagram if necessary

compile list of components for specification

order components and deal with matters arising

collaborate with drawing office during drawing out of    mechanical details

make wiring diagram or check diagrams drawn up in shop

supervise wiring and assembly in shops

test completed equipment

carry out further investigation of likely production    variations

supervise modifications to equipment and drawings

apply special tests (e.g. shock tests) that could not be    applied before

supervise modifications to equipment and drawings as a    result of above

revise customer's instructions and dispatch

discuss with customer

supervise modifications to equipment and drawings to meet customer's points

order long-delivery components for first batch and deal    with matters arising

deal with difficulties arising in production of first batch

draw up works test instructions

supervise testing of first batch

revise works test instructions if necessary

draw up maintenance instructions

revise customer's instructions if necessary

Some of the questions the committee will seek to answer in connection with design processes and organisational procedures are:

• What mental processes and organisational procedures are    involved in designing a piece of electronic equipment?

• Do these processes differ according to the type of     electronic equipment, the field of application (e.g. military     versus civil) or the technique used, (e.g. analogue versus     digital)?

•  Could we classify types of design by the processes and     procedures involved?

• How do the design processes and procedures for     electronic equipment differ from those for mechanical     equipment or, say, electrical machines?

Detailed investigation of the way in which design proceeds is urgently needed to provide a basis for the training of designers. The ability to design in the broader sense of establishing satisfactory relationships between a large number of characteristics appears to be innate in only a small percentage of engineers and fears have been expressed that such ability is often suppressed in the course of training. The analytical