Which term describes factors that limit design choices, including cost, time, available materials, manufacturing processes, safety or environmental issues?

• A. Design brief
• B. Constraints
• C. Annotation
• D. Orthographic drawing

Answer: (B)

Constraints describe the factors that limit design choices. They set the boundaries within which a design must be developed, including cost, time, available materials, manufacturing processes, and safety or environmental requirements. Because these limits exist, engineers must find solutions that fit within them, often weighing trade-offs between different needs. The design brief outlines what needs to be achieved, but it’s the constraints that define the practical limits. Annotations are notes on drawings, and orthographic drawings are a way of presenting views of a part or assembly; neither describes the limiting factors on design decisions.