Course Description

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Seven Axioms of Good Engineering — A Case Study Course: Learning From Failure (APPEL-SAGE)

Audience

This course is designed for NASA engineers and project personnel who are interested in understanding the role of case studies and engineering failures in critical thinking, the design process, and how to avoid classical design errors, among others.

Goal

The purpose of SAGE is to promote good engineering design and project management decision making via the study and discussion of case studies. Such discussions will promote critical thinking and will improve decision making among NASA engineers, technologists, program managers, and scientists.

Learning Methods

The course is primarily taught using a case study format. Participants are given the opportunity to create their own design corollaries and case studies based on their own experiences and present their cases in light of the engineering axioms learned.

Specific Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate the value of case studies in critical thinking.
• Identify and explain the seven classical types of design errors and how to avoid them.
• Explain the importance of non-analytical aspects involved in the design process.
• Integrate design data into design knowledge.
• Extract key decision-making aspects associated with the engineering process from case studies.
• Explain how to incorporate lessons learned into everyday design processes.

Case Studies Used In SAGE

• GE Rotary Compressor Failure
• Space Shuttle Columbia RCC Strike
• Assessment of PowerPoint as a Communication Tool in the Engineering Design Process
• Apollo LOX Tank
• Pioneer 10 Spacecraft
• Recurring Mistakes in Suspension Bridge Design
• Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror
• Navy Mark 14 Magnetic Imploder Malfunction
• Kansas City Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse
• Ocean Ranger Sinking
• Three Mile Island Partial Meltdown