Real-Life Decision Making
A car is in the process of being designed. As the work progresses, Sandra, the engineer, discovers that the tail lights don't fit in the space they have been allotted. The diamond-shaped tail lights are a signature of the new car and can't be changed.
Before Sandra leaves town on a business trip, she asks you to modify the design so that the tail lights will fit. After she has gone, you look at her instructions and scratch your head. "Often, instructions on how to develop an area can be pretty vague and the designer is left to figure out how they can do it best," says George Speirs, a car body designer and engineer.
Trying to follow her vague instructions, you work away at a new design that will house the diamond-shaped lights. Suddenly you get a fantastic idea!
If you extended the housing for the lights into points, similar to the old-fashioned tail fins, the diamond-shaped tail lights would fit. You think the new design would look great -- after all, the retro look is in. You want to start overhauling the design right away. If you work hard, you will be able to get the design done for the meeting tomorrow.
But you have a decision to make.
Your design requires a big design change. A car is designed by many people, some of whom may not be happy that you have changed the look of the back end of the car. Should you consult Sandra before you begin? Or should you just go ahead with your work? After all, you've been hired to solve the design problem.