Senior Capstone Design Project Learning

What is Project Learning? What is…? How to Make…?

Project Learning is Part of a Process Product development is the process Great results dont happen by accident Accidents happen without a process Project Learning Roadmap Conceptual Design / Prototyping Detailed Design Fabrication Validation Product

Goals for Project Learning Clear picture and shared consensus What is considered done and good Knowledge and skills required to produce a design that is done and good Project Learning Roadmap Conceptual Design / Prototyping Detailed Design Fabrication Validation Product You Are Here!

Importance of Project Learning Cost of Change (Mistakes) Cost of Change (Mistakes) Project Timeline Project Learning Roadmap Conceptual Design / Prototyping Detailed Design Fabrication Validation Product Opportunity to be Innovative

Keys to Customer Satisfaction Project learning adds value (Jain and Sobek, Atman) Broadly defined project Idea generation Problem definition High level engineering analysis Detailed design Design refinement Positive Customer Satisfaction Negative Customer Satisfaction Experts Spend a Lot of Time Here!

Three Areas of Project Learning People User groups Focus groups Ride-Alongs Product Competitive Analysis Observations Dissection Technology Experimentation Prototyping Math Models

Identify Stakeholders and Experts Stakeholders have interest in new product creation – Identify these people early – Tap into their knowledge – Jump into their shoes Experts have specific knowledge – Ask them about products, processes, and technologies – Identify what help you need – Identify where to focus efforts Who are your stakeholders?

Interview Stakeholders Groups to individuals Focus on needs and constraints Find out what not how Interviewees focus on solutions and experiences You will have to tease out the needs

Teasing Out the Needs The 5 Whys The problem. Why? Root Cause Analysis My car wont start. The battery is dead. Alternator doesnt work. Belt is broken. Belt is old. Car has not been maintained regularly. Root Cause!

Interview Guidelines Watch for things that arent said. – A simple requirement can be overlooked Watch for things that are said. – Is it clear? – Communicate back to customer Watch for priorities. – Must, should, wish – Prioritize complete needs list Let the user/client talk. – Follow up for clarification 5 whys? Be prepared with a list of questions. Do you have a list of at least 20 good questions for your client?

Areas of Need Functional performance Human factors/interface Physical requirements Reliability Life-cycle use Manufacturing requirements What needs does your project have in each of these areas?

Conduct an Observation People often do not – realize opportunities, – realize their problems, or – communicate all needs Apply anthropological techniques – Document activities – Characterize user types – Characterize value to user

Observe the Process First Hand

Empathetic Activities First-hand experience is a great way to grow understanding – Use the product – Perform the process – Experience the hardship! – Ride-alongs How will you interact with and understand your clients concerns?

Comparable Products Teardown competitive products Learn all you can about the pieces and parts Establish benchmark of performance Estimate competitors cost Who is your competition? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?

Marketplace Acceptance Know how your competitor is viewed Know how your customer makes decisions – What is important? – What is not important? What unique value do you bring? Every project has a customer. Who is yours? What do they value?

Technology "We thought that if some method could be found by which it would be possible to practice by the hour instead of by the second there would be hope of advancing the solution of a very difficult problem…and without any serious danger. – Wilber and Oroville Wright The Wright Brothers made the observation that all their predecessors and their peers were spending about 5000 hours designing an aircraft and about 5 seconds testing it.

Experimentation and modeling Gain clarity in… – relevant physical phenomenon – create math models – relate them to experiments Determine what can be validated And test, test, test What simple test or math model can you use today to learn more about your project?

Research Identify technologies that are core to the problem or potential directions for the solution Conduct web searches, patent searches, existing documentation Scan vendor catalogs for enabling technology What dont you know?

Become familiar with relevant codes/standards Understand governing standards Consult with experts to get a handle on relevant codes. Summarize relevant material in a manner that is easily digestible by teammates.