Complex Engineering

Problem
Why are we interested in Complex Engineering Problem (CEP) ?

• There are certain characteristics that we/PEC desire in our engineers

to be  Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
• ALL PLOs are with respect to Complex Engineering Problems/Activities
FES PLOs
• PLO 1: Engineering Knowledge  Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals and an engineering
specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.
• PLO 2: Problem Analysis  Ability to identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze complex engineering problems reaching
substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences.
• PLO 3: Design/Development of Solutions  Ability to design solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems,
components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations.
• PLO 4: Investigation  Ability to investigate complex engineering problems in a methodical way including literature survey, design and
conduct of experiments, analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and synthesis of information to derive valid conclusions.
• PLO 5: Modern Tool Usage  Ability to create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools,
including prediction and modeling, to complex engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.
• PLO 6: The Engineer and Society  Ability to apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal
and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practice and solution to complex engineering
problems.
• PLO 7: Environment and Sustainability PLO 8: Ethics
• PLO 9: Individual and Team Work
• PLO 10: Communication
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally as well as in writing, on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with
society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations,
and give and receive clear instructions.
• PLO 11: Project Management
• PLO 12: Lifelong Learning
So what exactly is a Complex Engineering Problem/Activity?
• Basically, it comes from the tasks which the engineers are
required to tackle once they work in a professional
environment
• Those tasks are
• 1) Engineering Problems  Require Expertise of an Engineering
discipline, and
• 2) Complex Problems  Complexity is a very broad term, and can
have one or more of attributes, such as
• Required in-depth knowledge of more than one disciplines/knowledge areas
• Has no ready-made/obvious solution and hence requires in-depth investigation of the
‘context’ e.g. making a local dam, bridge, military equipment etc.
• Not Precisely Specified/Vague  Have a number of unknowns
• A large number of parameters to optimize
• Multiple technological constraints
• Has associated Financial, Social, Environmental, Time, Resources Constraints
• In short they are complex!
Complex problems
• Involve wide-ranging or conflicting technical, engineering and other issues
• Have no obvious solution and require abstract thinking, originality in analysis to
formulate suitable models
• Requires research-based knowledge much of which is at, or informed by, the
forefront of the professional discipline and which allows a fundamentals-based,
first principles analytical approach
• Involve infrequently encountered issues
• Are outside problems encompassed by standards and codes of practice for
professional engineering
• Involve diverse groups of stakeholders with widely varying needs
• Have significant consequences in a range of contexts
• Are high level problems including many component parts or sub-problems
Characteristics
Technical Problems Complex Problems
• Isolatable boundable problem • No definitive problem boundary
• Universally similar type • Relatively unique or unprecedented
• Stable and/or predictable • Unstable and/or unpredictable
problem parameters problem parameters
• Multiple low-risk experiments are
possible • Multiple experiments are not possible
• Limited set of alternative • No bounded set of alternative
solutions solutions
• Involve few or homogeneous • Multiple stakeholders with different
stakeholders views or interest
• Single optimal and testable • No single optimal and/or objectively
solutions testable solution
• Single optimal solution can be • No clear stopping point
clearly recognized

6
Fill this form to map your chosen Complex Engineering Problems in the respective courses to fit the
standard as laid out by the PEC.
Course Code Course Title

Problem
Statement

Complex Engineering Problems

Please write your

Engineering problems which cannot be resolved without comments against each
in-depth engineering knowledge, and have some or all of Mapped attribute in the space
the characteristics listed below: below. Attach more sheets
Yes No if necessary. (Optional)
Involve wide-ranging or conflicting technical, engineering
and other issues.

Have no obvious solution and require abstract thinking,

originality in analysis to formulate suitable models

Requires research-based knowledge much of which is at, or

informed by, the forefront of the professional discipline
and which allows a fundamentals-based, first principles
analytical approach.

Involve infrequently encountered issues

Are outside problems encompassed by standards and

codes of practice for professional engineering.

Involve diverse groups of stakeholders with widely varying

needs

Have significant consequences in a range of contexts

Are high level problems including many component parts

or sub-problems.
Complexity
CEP Examples and
Implementation
Example
Example
• Elements to note:

- Comprehensive problem with real-life application (music

processing)
- Unfamiliar problem (e.g., question 5)
- Multiple solutions (e.g., in question 6 while theoretically system
is non-invertible, in practice one can recover most of the
samples)
• Project requires knowledge of design of PV systems, embedded
system with sensors, wireless communication with cloud data
storage, integration of sub-systems and physical implementation
• No unique way to design. Depth of analysis needed to select a
specific solution from many alternatives
• Electrical engineers are not typically exposed to issues related to
pisciculture. So, the project involves infrequently encountered issues
• Project involves a number of interdependent sub-systems
(components), such as, PV system, sensor system, wireless
communication system , user app
Design and FEM analysis of micro electrothermal actuators
based on SOIMUMPS fabrication process constraints.
Fill this form to map your chosen Complex Engineering Problems in the respective courses to fit the
standard as laid out by the PEC.
Course Code Course Title

Problem
Statement

Complex Engineering Problems

Please write your

Engineering problems which cannot be resolved without comments against each
in-depth engineering knowledge, and have some or all of Mapped attribute in the space
the characteristics listed below: below. Attach more sheets
Yes No if necessary. (Optional)
Involve wide-ranging or conflicting technical, engineering
and other issues.

Have no obvious solution and require abstract thinking,

originality in analysis to formulate suitable models

Requires research-based knowledge much of which is at, or

informed by, the forefront of the professional discipline
and which allows a fundamentals-based, first principles
analytical approach.

Involve infrequently encountered issues

Are outside problems encompassed by standards and

codes of practice for professional engineering.

Involve diverse groups of stakeholders with widely varying

needs

Have significant consequences in a range of contexts

Are high level problems including many component parts

or sub-problems.
 What is required from us?
• FYPs
• Make sure FYPs supervised by us have the characteristics of CEP i.e.
• Require in-depth knowledge/investigation
• No obvious solution
• Breadth of scope/features
• Unknowns
• Multiple technological constraints
• Considers Social, Environmental and Ethical aspects as well
• Design Open-Ended Labs which have characteristics of CEP
• At appropriate level – preferably 3rd and 4th year level
• Design projects/assignments based on CEP in our respective courses, if possible
• At appropriate level – preferably 3rd and 4th year level
• Design project courses
• Microprocessor Interfacing
• Other?