What Design Practices Have Worked Best for You?

[kamilbabar]

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, I've seen how small design decisions can have a significant impact on product performance, manufacturing costs, and long-term reliability. Every project brings different challenges, from selecting the right materials and optimizing tolerances to ensuring designs are practical for production. While reading discussions related to Kamil babar, I started wondering how other engineers approach these challenges in their day-to-day work. Do you prioritize simulation, prototyping, or hands-on experience when validating a design, and what practices have consistently helped you deliver better mechanical products?
Question: What design practices, engineering tools, or lessons learned have had the biggest positive impact on your mechanical design projects, and what advice would you share with other Mechanical Design Engineers?