Ideas about definion of mindset

Author: Yuriy Polyulya
⚠ Disclaimer:

Building definition of “Engineering Mindset” is mine long term project, and this is first post what has intention to set the basemant for discussion.

   Given the opportunity to compare my engineering education and scientific extension in the same specialization, I’ve reflected on the fundamental differences between being an engineer and a scientist within engineering disciplines. The most apparent distinctions lie in roles, goals, and objectives.

   For scientists, the goals are relatively well-established: “to describe reality.” For engineers, however, the definition is less straightforward, as it typically revolves around specific problem definitions where generalization presents challenges. The most compelling definition of an engineering goal I’ve encountered is: “to change reality”.

   Scientific and engineering mindsets are often intertwined, but they have distinct traits. Going to the roots of the difference between the two, it is possible to see that the main difference is in the goal, focuse and approach.

PropertyScientistEngineer
GoalTo describe realityTo change reality
FocusGeneralization
discovery, research, experimentation
Specialization
problem-solving, invention, optimization
ApproachInductive
hypothesis testing, data collection, analysis
Deductive
design, build, test, iterate
ResultKnowledge
theory, model, simulation
Product
device, system, process
PurposeUnderstanding
advancing human knowledge
Application
solving practical problems
Success MetricExplanatory power
accuracy, peer validation
Functionality
efficiency, reliability, scalability
Time OrientationFuture knowledge
long-term insights
Present solutions
immediate implementation

When examining this from a goal-oriented perspective—“describing reality” (scientists) versus “changing reality” (engineers)—we can observe a complete spectrum of roles with numerous gradations between pure engineers and pure scientists. This spectrum includes engineers solving invention problems and scientists developing applied theories, as illustrated in Figure. 1.

pic.1 Scientist ↔️ Engineer spectrum.

 

   Any point in Fig. 1 represents a possible specialization profile, such as R&D Engineers or Applied Scientists, each addressing defined problems through their unique blend of scientific and engineering approaches. To complete this picture, we must enrich our understanding of these goals with their underlying objectives:

 

This intersection is where skills and mindset become critical. But what exactly constitutes this mindset?

   #Mindset is a set of cognitive frameworks that enables us to identify optimal processes for reaching goals and evaluate the quality of both process and results. The key properties of an effective scientific-engineering mindset include::

Note: In my assessment, other properties of mindset derive from these core attributes, with the exception of domain knowledge. Domain knowledge, while essential, represents a collection of facts and principles rather than a cognitive property—it serves as the raw material upon which these mental frameworks operate.

 

   The most innovative breakthroughs often occur at the intersection of scientific understanding and engineering application, where descriptive power meets transformative capability. Those professionals who can navigate this spectrum with fluidity, applying both mindsets as circumstances demand, become the most versatile problem-solvers in their fields.


[1] Satisficing is a decision-making strategy that aims for a satisfactory or adequate result, rather than the optimal solution.

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