Page "Exploratory engineering" Paragraph 2

Engineering is concerned with the design of a solution to a practical problem.

A scientist may ask " why?

" and proceed to research the answer to the question.

By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem, and how to implement that solution.

Exploratory engineering often posits that a highly detailed solution exists, and explores the putative characteristics of such a solution, while holding in abeyance the question of how to implement that solution.

If a point can be reached where the attempted implementation of the solution is addressed using the principles of engineering science, the activity transitions from protoengineering to actual engineering, and results in success or failure to implement the design.