1. Any project is carried out in partial ignorance due to
• The uncertainties in the abstract model used for the design calculations,
• The uncertainties in the precise characteristics of the materials purchased,
• The uncertainties caused by variations in processing and fabrication of materials and
• The uncertainties about the nature of stresses the finished product will encounter.
Indeed, Engineer’s success lies in the ability to accomplish tasks with only a partial knowledge of scientific laws about nature and society.
2. The final outcome of engineering projects, like those of experiments, is generally uncertain. Very often, possible outcomes are not even known and great risks may be presented which could never be thought of.
3. Effective Engineering relies upon knowledge gained about products both before and after they leave the factory- knowledge needed for improving current products and creating better ones. That is, ongoing success in engineering depends upon gaining new knowledge.
