How do you share your engineering design test results?

1 Choose your audience

Before you share your engineering design test results, you need to consider who your audience is and what they need to know. Different audiences may have different levels of technical knowledge, interest, and expectations. For example, if you are sharing your results with your peers, you may want to focus on the details of your design, testing methods, and data analysis. If you are sharing your results with a client, you may want to emphasize the benefits, costs, and risks of your solution. If you are sharing your results with the public, you may want to use simple language, visuals, and stories to engage them.

2 Select your format

Depending on your audience and purpose, you may select different formats to share your engineering design test results. Reports are written documents that provide a comprehensive and formal account of your design, testing, and results; they are suitable for academic, professional, or technical audiences. Presentations are oral or visual displays that highlight the main points and findings of your design and testing; they are ideal for interactive, informal, or persuasive situations. Posters are graphical summaries that showcase the key features and outcomes of your design and testing; they are perfect for public or educational settings. Videos are multimedia productions that combine sound, images, and text to demonstrate your design and testing; they are great for online or social media platforms.

3 Organize your content

Regardless of the format you choose, you need to organize your content logically and coherently to share your engineering design test results. A common structure for engineering design test results includes an introduction that provides background and context, a design section that outlines the features and components, a testing section that covers the methods and tools used, a results section that presents the data and findings, and a discussion section that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses. In the introduction, explain why your design is important and relevant for your audience. In the design section, explain how your design meets the criteria and constraints of the problem. For testing, describe the procedures and tools used to measure performance, reliability, and safety. When presenting results, use visual aids such as tables, graphs, or charts to support your findings. Interpret and analyze your results in relation to expectations and goals. In the discussion section, evaluate the limitations of your design and testing. Discuss implications of your results and identify sources of error or bias.

4 Use clear and concise language

To share your engineering design test results effectively, you need to use language that is clear and concise. Utilize active voice to make your sentences more direct and engaging. Additionally, use specific and concrete words to make your sentences more descriptive and informative. Short and simple sentences should be used to make your sentences more readable and understandable. When necessary, technical terms and acronyms can be used to make your sentences more concise and precise, but they must be defined clearly so as not to confuse or alienate your audience. For example, instead of saying "The design used a PID controller to regulate the temperature," explain what a PID controller is and how it works by saying "The design used a PID controller (proportional-integral-derivative controller) to regulate the temperature."

5 Proofread and revise your work

Prior to disseminating your engineering design test results, it is essential to proofread and revise your work to guarantee it is free of errors, inconsistencies, or gaps. To do this, you should check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation with a spell checker or grammar checker. Additionally, you should assess the format, style, and layout of your work using a uniform format that follows any guidelines or instructions from your instructor, employer, or client. Moreover, you should review the content, logic, and flow of your work by constructing a clear and coherent structure with transitions, connectors, and signposts. Furthermore, you should use evidence, examples, or explanations to support any claims and arguments you make. Finally, you should use feedback or self-assessment to evaluate and enhance your work. By following these tips and best practices when sharing your engineering design test results, you can do so effectively and confidently.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?