How do engineers typically evaluate the success of a design?

Engineers evaluate the success of a design primarily by comparing the final product against established project requirements and objectives. This process involves a thorough assessment of whether the design meets the intended purpose, adheres to specifications, and fulfills any predefined performance criteria. This approach ensures that the design not only addresses the problem it was intended to solve but also meets safety, functionality, and quality standards set during the development phase.

While other factors such as consumer appeal, time spent on design, and material costs can influence the overall success of a project, they are not the primary criteria for evaluating a design's effectiveness. Consumer appeal may indicate market success or user satisfaction, but it does not measure how well the product fulfills its technical specifications. Similarly, the time taken to complete a design or the costs incurred during production can be relevant to project management and budgeting, yet they do not directly reflect the engineering quality or performance of the final product. Ultimately, the primary measure of success remains how well the product aligns with the planned requirements and objectives established at the project's outset.