I'm looking for some information on other companies design process.

The company I work for is "old school" and is founded on electronic design.

I do everything from mechanical design, sheet metal, and then follow all of that with industrial design. Right now I am the only Mechanical Designer here since we have been slow.

Our required design process is that we (the engineer) write the spec on the part or assembly first.

Then we are supposed to write "how we are going to design it".

And then do the design.

I'm frustrated.

I rarely know what the electronics or other gurus of our products want. I feel like the person who wants the mechanical piece should have their parameters set. If I want an electronic device for a mechanical gadget I can lay out what I need, I don't care how they build it as long as it meets the parameters.

Now... "how we are going to design it phase"

Typically when I design something I come up with an idea in my head and then Solidworks lets me get the design into a 3D realm so others can understand what I am thinking. I would have a tough time designing without modern cad....I am a terrible artist!

So the management wants this "how I am going to design it" on paper.  I'm dumbfounded here.... I pretty much just use every tool I have to do the design.

Once it gets to the idea phase of projects things start to get smoother. Showing 3D models and different designs as I am working lets other people improve the design which is good.

I hope all of this makes sense, I don't know where to turn with this.

So my question is.... How does Solidworks fit into your design phases?

Thanks

Tim