Glossary of engineering terms

When collaborating with hardware engineering teams, you’ll quickly notice they often speak their own “language”—full of technical terms that can sometimes feel like a code only they understand. To bridge the communication gap and stay on the same wavelength, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these key terms. Whether you’re discussing design specs, troubleshooting, or talking about the latest innovation, knowing this technical vocabulary will help you contribute more effectively and ensure that nothing gets lost in translation.

Let’s dive into some of the most important hardware engineering terms to help you navigate these conversations like a pro!

Internet of Things (IoT)

At AJProTech, our focus is on developing advanced IoT devices, making “IoT” the most frequently used term in our industry discussions. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, appliances, sensors, and more—that are embedded with software, sensors, and connectivity features, enabling them to collect and exchange data over the internet. These “smart” devices can communicate with each other and central systems, automating tasks, monitoring environments, and providing valuable insights. IoT plays a major role in smart homes, healthcare, industrial automation, and many other sectors.

Product Requirements Document (PRD)

A Product Requirements Document (PRD) is a formal document that outlines the specifications, features, and requirements for a product or project. It serves as a comprehensive guide for the development team throughout the product lifecycle, from design and development to testing and launch. The PRD typically includes the product’s purpose, key functionalities, technical specifications, user needs, and performance criteria. It ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and helps prevent scope creep, ensuring the product meets its intended goals and user expectations.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

A BOM is a comprehensive list of raw materials, components, and parts required to build a product. It includes part numbers, descriptions, quantities, and sometimes supplier information. It’s a critical part of hardware design and manufacturing.

Form Factor

Form factor is the physical size, shape, and layout of a hardware device or component, such as a PCB or enclosure. It defines the device’s physical dimensions and compatibility with other hardware components.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a development strategy in which a new product is created with just enough core features to satisfy early adopters and gather initial feedback. The goal of an MVP is to validate the product idea or business concept with minimal investment of time and resources. By releasing a simplified version of the product, teams can quickly test key assumptions, understand user needs, and make data-driven decisions for future development. This approach helps to reduce the risk of building a product that doesn’t meet market needs while allowing for rapid iteration and improvement based on real-world usage.

Minimum Viable Prototype (MVPr)

It’s important not to confuse the MVP with a Minimum Viable Prototype (MVPr). An MVPr is a basic version of a prototype that includes just enough functionality to be tested by early users. The goal of an MVPr is to quickly and cost-effectively create a rough model of the product to validate the concept, gauge interest, and gather feedback before committing more resources. It’s akin to making a rough draft of a story to ensure the plot works before writing the entire novel. This stage focuses on proof of concept and testing feasibility, rather than delivering a fully functional product.

Software Requirements Specification (SRS)

A Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is a critical document that outlines the detailed software requirements for a system. It serves as a comprehensive guide for engineers, providing a clear and structured basis for the design, development, and testing phases of a project. The SRS ensures that the software meets user needs and expectations, and helps in aligning development efforts with business objectives. By defining functional and non-functional requirements, use cases, and system constraints, the SRS plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality software solutions. It is essential for effective project management, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and mitigating risks associated with software development.

Color, Material, Finish (CMF)

Color, Material, Finish (CMF) refers to three critical elements that define the visual and tactile attributes of a product. This approach encompasses the careful selection of colors, materials, and finishes to not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also improve the functionality and durability of a product. Effective CMF design significantly impacts user perception, contributes to brand identity, and can influence the overall success of the product. By strategically integrating these elements, CMF design plays a pivotal role in differentiating products in the market and elevating the user experience, making it an essential component of the product development process.

Industrial Design (ID)

Industrial Design (ID) embodies the holistic synthesis of aesthetics and functionality, where the essence of your product’s visual and tactile presence is meticulously crafted. This process encompasses the art and science of designing and developing tangible products that are not only operationally robust but also ergonomically aligned with user needs. Throughout the ID methodology, critical elements such as form, usability, and manufacturability are intricately addressed, ensuring a seamless integration of beauty and practicality. The ultimate objective is to forge products that are not merely effective and efficient but also evoke an emotional connection with users, creating a profound impact that resonates on both an intellectual and visceral level. By balancing innovation with user-centric principles, industrial design aims to deliver solutions that are aesthetically pleasing and enhance the overall user experience. 

By the way, we like to think that some of our devices have caught a few admiring eyes, snagging a couple of design awards along the way—it’s always nice to be recognized for our efforts in crafting great industrial design!

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering (EE) is a fascinating branch of engineering focused on the study and practical use of electricity and electronics. It requires a solid understanding of electrical theory, circuit design, and signal processing, which help engineers tackle pesky bugs in various applications. Think of electrical engineers as the superheroes of the circuit world—navigating through complex problems and bringing power to everything from your favorite gadgets to the vast energy systems that keep our cities buzzing. With their skills, they make sure that our devices work smoothly, keeping the lights on and the music playing—one wire at a time!

Schematic Diagram

A schematic is a symbolic representation of an electronic circuit, showing how the components are connected without regard to physical layout. It’s a blueprint for engineers to understand the circuit design.

Engineering Validation Test (EVT) 

Engineering Validation Test (EVT) is an important phase in product development where the engineering team tests prototypes to ensure they meet the promised performance levels. The main goal of EVT is to check the core functionality of the device and make any needed adjustments before moving on to the next testing stage. Think of it as making sure your new recipe works before you serve it to others!

Design Validation Test (DVT)

Design Validation Test (DVT) focuses on a detailed evaluation of the product’s design. In this phase, the goal is to confirm that the product meets all design requirements. DVT includes testing for performance, reliability, and compliance with industry standards. The tests are set up to mimic real-world situations, ensuring the product works well under different conditions. This phase is crucial for spotting any last-minute issues and making sure the design is ready for production.

Production Validation Test (PVT) 

Production Validation Test (PVT) is the last test before a product goes into mass production. This stage includes testing several production units to ensure that the production lines can consistently create high-quality products. Successfully completing PVT means the product is ready for full-scale production and distribution. It’s like passing your driving test before you hit the road, ensuring everything is ready for the big launch!

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is the systematic process of identifying, diagnosing, and resolving problems or malfunctions in hardware, software, or network systems. It typically involves analyzing symptoms, isolating the cause of the issue, and implementing a solution. Engineers use a range of tools and techniques, such as diagnostic software, test equipment, and debugging procedures, to pinpoint problems. Effective troubleshooting is essential in hardware development, as it ensures devices operate reliably and efficiently after deployment.

Of course, these aren’t all the terms you’ll come across while communicating with engineering teams, but this article should definitely make your day a bit easier! Whether you’re discussing complex testing phases or diving into design specifications, having a grasp of these key concepts can help foster clearer communication and collaboration. We hope this guide lightens the load and helps bridge any gaps in understanding!

Yours truly, 

The AJPROTECH Team