The Engineer’s Notebook

1. The Engineer’s Notebook

2. What is an Engineer’s Notebook? • An engineer’s notebook is a book in which an engineer formally documents, in chronological order, all of the work that is associated with a specific design project. • Each engineer has an engineer’s notebook. All necessary project work is recorded by hand.

3. What is an Engineer’s Notebook? • The engineer’s notebook is sometimes referred to by other titles: engineering notebook engineering or engineer’s log book engineer’s journal inventor’s notebook • An engineer’s notebook is not the same as a portfolio.

4. An Engineer’s Notebook Records… • Written ideas • Sketches (preferably annotated) • Work session summaries • Research findings • Interview information: who was contacted, when, and what was discussed or learned

5. An Engineer’s Notebook Records… • CAD printouts • Test results • Photographs • Calculations Note: It doesn’t matter if your line of investigation leads nowhere. Documented failures provide clues for future success.

6. Why Keep An Engineer’s Notebook? Engineering research and development organizations usually require their engineers to keep a running record of their activities. An engineer’s notebook is recognized as a legal document that is used in patent activities to • Prove the origin of an idea that led to a solution • Prove diligence in turning the idea into a solution • Prove when an idea became a working solution (“reduced to practice”)

7. Why Keep An Engineer’s Notebook? Organizations must also deal with the fact that priorities change, and people come and go. The engineer’s notebook provides continuity when • A project is put on hold for weeks, months, or years. • A project member resigns or is assigned to another project. • A project member dies.

8. Who Keeps An Engineer’s Notebook? Many collegiate engineering programs require their students to keep an engineer’s notebook during design capstone and lab-based engineering courses to • Develop better time management skills. • Improve documentation, sketching, research, and communication skills. • Produce a thorough and complete summary presentation and report.

9. Standard Page Layout • Bound quadrille-lined (grid) pages • Individually labeled page #s • Location for designer’s signature and date • Location for witness signature and date • Locations for identifying contents continued from and to another page • Statement of the proprietary nature of the notebook

10. 2. Bind notebooks. • Cannot add pages • Cannot remove pages without disrupting the binding http://www.dontaylorbookbinder.com/Restoration%20&%20Rebinding.htm accessed 3/1/06 Engineer’s Notebook Standards 1. Sequentially number pages in ink on the top outside edge of the page. 3. Do not remove pages from the engineer’s notebook for any reason.

11. http://www.ikea.com accessed 3/2/06 Engineer’s Notebook Standards 4. Store the notebook in a safe location. 5. When the notebook is full, begin a new notebook and archive the old one. 6. Clearly label all figures and calculations.

12. http://www.elmers.com/products/product/product_page.asp?pCode=E379http://www.elmers.com/products/product/product_page.asp?pCode=E379 http://www.shadesdirect.com/adhesives_prods_details_ita/photomount_tapei.htm accessed 3/1/06 http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdmbms/ASB/ASB/student%20store.htm accessed 3/1/06 Engineer’s Notebook Standards 7. Begin entries at the top of the page. Work left-to-right and top-to-bottom. 8. Do not use markers that will bleed through the paper. 9. Permanently attach inserted items (glue is preferred). Loose-leaf items do not belong in the notebook.

13. Engineer’s Notebook Standards 10. Clearly indicate the date for each entry. 11. Do not erase or remove information. Cross out, initial, and correct any mistakes. 12. Use consistent recording methods for ideas, references, test results, etc.

14. Engineer’s Notebook Standards 13. Sign and date each page as it is completed. 14. Ask colleague or mentor to corroborate the events and facts on each page and sign off as a witness.

15. Jack Kilby (b.11/8/23 d.6/20/05) Inventor of the integrated circuit, displaying his engineer’s notebook. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1397636.htm accessed 1/25/06 Finally . . . • Be NEAT, beACCURATE, be LEGIBILE, and beTHOROUGH. • Write as if you were speaking to a future engineer who is responsible for carrying on your work.

16. Online Resources Engineer’s notebooks can be purchased through one of the following online suppliers. • http://shopping.netledger.com/app/site/site.nl/alias.snco/.f • http://www.bookfactory.com/ • http://www.eurekalabbook.com/

17. References Horenstein, M. (1998). Engineering design a day in the life of four engineers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Hutchinson, J., & Karsnitz, J. R. (1994). Design and problem solving in technology. NY: Glencoe McGraw-Hill. Lockhart, S, D., & Johnson, C. M. (1999). Engineering design communication. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. Book Factory. (2008). Engineering notebook guidelines. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.bookfactory. com/special_info/engr_notebook_guidelines.html