Activity Quote by Ove Arup
“Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions, good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution. This is a creative activity, involving imagination, intuition and deliberate choice.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Ove Arup on engineering philosophy
Engineering problems lack complete definition, allowing many solutions; the craft lies in choosing the best through imagination and intuition.
In simple terms: Engineering is creative problem solving.
Key Takeaway
Use imagination to find optimal solutions.
Themes
creativity
decision‑making
problem‑solving
Mood
analytical
inspired
Type
technical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- product design
- infrastructure projects
- team brainstorming
Key Concepts
systems thinking
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define a good solution?
- How can intuition be balanced with data?
A Different Perspective
Complex constraints may limit truly “good” solutions.
