# The Process of Designing As a software engineer, I've come to understand that the actual act of designing a project is more valuable than any artefact that might result from it. I think of design as a mental exercise; a structured way to digest a problem and formulate a solid foundation for its solution. > The recognition that the entries are as much process as product also accounts for the shapelessness and apparent disorder of the work. \- Gregory Hays It's less about producing a preened document, and more about clarifying your understanding; defining the (non-)goals, identifying potential pitfalls and picturing a potential roadmap for development (later quantified through the creation of tickets). Here's a few points which expand upon (how and) why I believe this process is crucial, even if you end up never sharing the design document with anyone: * **Clearing Your Mind:** By writing out the questions you have to yourself, you close the open-loops in your head and clear the path for considered thought, knowing you'll always come back to the hard questions. * **Revealing Hidden Questions:** By stepping back and analysing the problem from different points of view, you often uncover questions you wouldn't have initially considered. Exercising the five whys often helps you delve deeper into the requirements and anticipate potential challenges. * **Exploring Alternatives:** Design is about exploring different options, weighing their pros and cons, and ultimately choosing the best fit based on concrete criteria. This exploration can lead to elegant solutions you might have otherwise overlooked. * **Building an Understanding:** Articulating your design choices in words or diagrams forces you to think more clearly and coherently. This self-reflection helps solidify your understanding and makes it easier to navigate the development process later on. Designs are rarely set in stone however, requirements evolve, technologies change, and unforeseen circumstances arise. But by investing time upfront in a thorough design process, you can create a solid foundation that can adapt to these changes. Furthermore, when you're not working alone, it allows you to articulate yourself when under pressure, to explain your thoughts on subjects with an earned confidence; having the data to quantify and qualify your reasoning. I believe the design process lies not in the document you're creating but in the clarity, insight and understanding the act provides; having a detailed document is just a bonus, allowing you to share freely and remember unboundedly.