KCIDE, or the Knowledge Capturing Integrated Design Environment , is multi-pronged effort underway within the Fenn College of Engineering at Cleveland State University. Housed within the Center for Research in Electronics & Aerospace Technology, or CREATE, KCIDE aims to change the paradigms of engineering, both in education & and in practice.

Over the next 10 years, it is likely that more engineering will be needed than the total of all the engineering thus far in history. This is a staggering fact, especially given the "graying" of the current workforce, and the steady, if not shrinking, engineering enrollments. Now, more than ever, more will be needed from fewer bodies. This can only be accomplished through mechanisms that allow engineers to focus more intently on innovation, and not mundane, routine and repetitive items.

What is CSU doing about it? First, it is widely recognized that most graduates lack many of the skills required to be successful engineers. CSU has begun the full integration of ProSkills, a suite of highly successful, skill-based lessons that are woven into the existing engineering courses. These lesson reinforce excellent written, verbal and informal communications skills, while also forcing students to put strong and real consideration into their career goals, and the paths they will use to reach them. In essence, this embraces the ABET criteria for creating life-long learners.