Senior Capstone Design Project Learning Senior Capstone Design

What is “Project Learning”? How to Make…? IT

Project Learning is Part of a Process Product development is the process Great results don’t 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 of project outcome Clearly and specifically know when project is done and good Create the knowledge and skills required to produce a design that is done and good You Are Here! Project Learning Roadmap Conceptual Design / Prototyping Detailed Design Fabrication Validation Product

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

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

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? People

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 People

Teasing Out the Needs The 5 Whys Root Cause Analysis The “problem”. My car won’t start. The battery is dead. Alternator doesn’t work. Belt is broken. Belt is old. Car has not been maintained regularly. Root Cause! People

Do you have a list of at least 20 good questions for your client? Interview Guidelines Watch for things that aren’t said. A simple requirement can be overlooked Watch for things that are said. Is it clear? Communicate back to customer Watch for priorities. Must do, should do, would be nice 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? People

What needs does your project have in each of these areas? 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? People

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 People

Observe the Process First Hand People

Empathetic Activities First-hand experience is a great way to grow understanding Use the product Perform the process Experience the hardship! “Ride-along” How will you interact with and understand your client’s concerns? People

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? Product

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? Product

Technology “…if … 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 predecessors and peers were spending many hours designing and about 2 seconds testing. Technology

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? Technology

Research Identify core technologies What potential directions exist for a solution Conduct web searches, patent searches, existing documentation Scan vendor catalogs for enabling technology What don’t you know? Technology

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 Technology