In one embodiment, analysis engine 204 executes a function that queries problem specification 202 periodically to test for a set of attributes needed prior to submission of that specification to server 150 for processing. In doing so, analysis engine 204 determines whether a threshold set of design constraints are met. Analysis engine 204 also determines whether a set of goals is met (e.g., loading criteria, fluid flow criteria, thermal criteria, geometric criteria, etc.). Analysis engine 204 queries problem specification 202 to determine whether sufficient constraints and goals are present. When problem specification 202 has been completed to the threshold level, the end-user is notified that the problem specification 202 is ready to be submitted to server 150 and the ability to generate and display approximate design solution 210 is enabled.

As a general matter, analysis engine 204 identifies the minimum input requirements of client-side solver 208, and then determines whether problem specification 202 provides those minimum input requirements. If problem specification 202 does not include sufficient data, then analysis engine 204 generates design recommendations 206 and displays those recommendations via GUI engine 212. Design recommendations 206 include suggested changes to problem specification 202 that, if applied, would cause problem specification 204 to reach the minimum input input requirements of client-side solver 208. The end-user may accept those recommendations and/or continue editing problem specification 202 until analysis engine 204 identifies that the minimum input requirements have been met.