Having applied bio-inspired design methods, we have noticed that most methods have been developed for specific bio-inspired design scenarios. For other scenarios they may be less suitable. To give an example, the Causal Relation Template is a method for formulating a causal relation of a biological system in one sentence and transferring this causal relation to a bio-inspired technical system in another sentence. The method can help designers quickly transfer several analogies from the biological to the technical domain. However, formulating a biological solution in one sentence requires an enormous simplification. If we have conducted a research project to analyze a biological system in detail, we have probably deduced complex explanations for its strategies. To transfer such complex relations, the formulation of a causal relation in one sentence proves less useful. On the other hand, many methods for bio-inspired design require considerable time and training. For example, SBF modeling is a method for abstracting technical and biological systems. The functions of the systems are modeled in detailed steps. This method is very useful for depicting detailed knowledge acquired by literature research or by actual studies or experiments on a biological or technical system. However, in short ideation workshops it is impractical. To indicate the suitability of the methods for certain types of bio-inspired design, we have developed three scenarios. 

They differ in terms of effort applied for the analysis of technical and biological system. Your bio-inspired design project might be just in between one of the scenarios, or it might be entirely different altogether. Still, these scenarios can give you a hint as to whether a method is worth exploring for your project.

Bio-inspired design incorporates both technical product development and biological research. There is little crossover between commonly used procedures from both disciplines. Moreover, if engineers and biologists are to collaborate, their different working approaches have to be considered to make the common project successful.