CTC/MTC 101: Tools Problem Solving Skills Communication Teamwork Organization Software 1

Objectives Apply problem problem solving skills Ability to communicate effectively Know what a team is Know how to function effectively on teams Coordination skills Software available on campus 2

Problem Solving Skills Read problem carefully Rewrite problem statement Drawing and diagrams (FBD) Show work Assumptions Equations All calculations (units/significant digits) Underline or box in final answer Engineering graph paper/pencil/neat 3

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Common Errors Problem statements not included Diagrams not included Units are incorrect Radius/Diameter Name Sloppiness “Shotgun” approach Graphs (labels/titles/units/missing, “line” instead of “x-y scatter”) 5

Oral Presentations Plan Develop objectives Analyze the audience Organize Main ideas and sub-ideas Handouts and visual aids Beginning, details, conclusion Practice 6

Oral presentations Avoid Blocking visual aids Spelling errors on visual aids Using filler words Apologizing Belittling your audience or putting them “on the spot” Speaking to your visuals 7

Written Communications Treat as a legal document Separate business and personal Letters Treat as a legal document Reports Should be complete, detailed and accurate 8

Written Communication Common Errors Grammar Too many pictures Page numbers missing Awkward phrasing References missing or incorrect formatting Table of Contents Missing 9

Team A group of people who: Have a common purpose Have division of labor Work together to accomplish a goal 10

Team Hints Communicate, communicate, communicate Use individual strengths to overcome individual weaknesses Use the power of diversity to catch major mistakes It is “fun” when you work on a productive team 11

Meetings Agenda with approximate times for each item Members feel safe in speaking Members support one another Members are eager to participate All members are encouraged to speak up Members cooperate as a team (no personal agendas) The team makes decisions through consensus 12

Organization Skills for the Classroom Show up on time Attend classes Show enthusiasm Assignments turned in on time All work neat Inform instructor beforehand of missed class, etc. Do your “homework” before asking for help Appropriate use of Technology Pride in your work 13

Specialized Software-Civil Microstation & Inroads(CTC 440) Autocad (CTC 162) RAM steel analysis Flowmaster (CTC 260/261/450) Sewercad/Watercad/Stormcad (CTC 450) 14

Specialized Software-Mech. AutoCAD - I/MTC 162 ProEngineer, solid modelling - MTC 388 Solidworks, solid modelling - MTC 465 LabVIEW, mechanical measurements - MTC 198 & 398 Algore Finite Element Analysis - MTC 476 FeatureCAM, CNC machining - MTC

Software Sources Specialized Labs (G225/225a/1149/G143) Citrix Student Software Versions Computer Science Software 16

Homework Use autocad or microstation to reproduce the drawing found on my homepage: