One of the hardest elements to get right at the start of any project is function. This is the most misunderstood component between client and suppliers for engineering design. Apart from the obvious language difficulties and the need to be buzz word compatible, the client is seldom sure of the functionality they require. It is always important, for a good final result, for the engineering supplier to put the extra effort in and make sure the functionality will be exactly what the client wants. Of course, the client will always be looking to keep costs low. Lowering costs initially without keeping function, reliability and maintainability in balance, will always lead to a long term viability problem.

Engineering Design is a series of trade offs. There are only optimum solutions, never perfect ones. Generally cost and function for a project are specified by the client. The expected outcome is always high levels of reliability and maintainability as this keeps the cost of production down. In essence the simplest system to meet function will also provide the lowest cost, the best reliability and maintainability. One just has to keep in the back of the mind , that there are also problems with over simplification which can impinge upon function.

This diagram shows the relationship in keeping a design project balanced. The key is always simplicity, which is an attitude to embrace, rather than a design procedure.