δ1.3 Critical Design Review - Elements EF GHI

Introduction

The purpose of the Critical Design Review is to evaluate the process by which your team constructed a prototype and developed a testing plan. Your team previously submitted for review Element E - Application of STEM Principles and Practices; and Element F - Design Viability. You should add to these elements the aspects relevant to the prototyping and testing phase. During the Critical Design Review your team should document;

How safety was addressed in fabrication and testing?
Why materials were chosen and fabrication processes were selected?
Opportunities for modifications.
Overall craftsmanship.
A valid and unbiased Testing Plan.

(Note: Not all EDD projects can result is a physical prototype in the sense of building something (examples: processes, software solutions, chemical solutions.) However students are required to create a testable prototype. It is therefore recommended that instructors may want to limit groups to mechanical or electrical solutions as they most often lead to a testable prototype.

Procedure

Continue to update all sections of the electronic portfolio throughout the year. (ABC DEF)

This design review is designed to help you organize your work to date, synthesize the knowledge you have gained and plan for input and information you still need to gather. A description of the best score (“5”) from the innovation portal’s rubric is included so that you can judge your project’s strengths and where you need to do more work. Now that you have set the framework for the problem you’re trying to solve, Element “D” will be worked on in your next steps – brainstorming and researching possible solutions.

NOTE: For all elements, use standard (APA or MLA) formatting for sources. Anything that is not your original work (ex: images, statistics, expert interviews, data from books or online) should have a source. More information on citations can be found at:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite
http://easybib.com
http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

Critical Design Review - Elements EF GHI

Element E: Application of STEM Principles and Practices

Objectives:

The proposed solution is well-substantiated with STEM principles and practices applicable to all or nearly all design requirements and functional claims.
There is substantial evidence that the application of those principles and practices by the student or a suitable alternate has been reviewed by two or more experts (qualified consultants and/or project mentors) and that those reviews provide confirmation (verification) or detail necessary to inform a corrective response.

Reflective Questions:

How do we show that our design ideas were not just guesses and that my/our ideas and each of the proposed design attributes really is based on sound logic and subject related knowledge?
Why does this proposed solution have merit to try?

The problem that you choose to solve will certainly require known math, science and/or engineering concepts. This can include formulas, laws, etc. Brainstorm a list of math, science and/or engineering concepts that you anticipate will be needed in order to solve your team’s problem. Consider applications of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physical science, nanotechnology, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, etc. that may be incorporated into your solution. Input from experts may be helpful in the identification of the concepts needed. You will continue to update this section as you research these principles and complete calculations.

Include:

Identify and describe science and engineering concepts you need to investigate.
Consider design stage, testing stage and data gathering stage.
Your team’s Gantt chart to detail all tasks, responsible parties, and due dates. Clearly define the entire scope of work in the task list. Be sure to consider the Rule of Thirds when making scheduling projections.
Explicitly list and describe each concept you might use – relate back to design specs where possible.
Describe who can help you validate your STEM work – what are training or credentials will you need your experts to have?
Some engineering principles to consider: project management (Gantt chart), documentation (engr. Notebook), stress, strain, material properties.
Any special computer programs, technology or equipment you might use?

Element F: Consideration of Design Viability

Objectives:

The proposed design was carefully reviewed based on several relevant extra-functional considerations.
A judgment about design viability based on those considerations—the capacity of the proposed solution to address the problem—is clearly realistic and well supported with credible evidence.

Reflective Questions:

How do I/we show evidence that the proposed design has merit beyond the classroom or lab as a real solution?
How can I/we show evidence that the design could realistically get into the hands of the people the design is trying to help in a sustainable way?
What evidence would I/we have to offer to honestly ask a family to invest their life savings in this idea?

(NOTE: Please remember this is not information related to making a profit off of your idea in the stereotypical sense, but rather about if the idea has any chance of succeeding as a real solution. An idea to help very poor areas gain access to clean water is indeed a real problem to solve but not likely one that is about making a financial profit. It should be noted that even the most openly giving and caring of non-profit organizations will not invest their resources in any idea that has no plan for getting the solution working at the source of the problem in a sustainable way.

Include:

Market analysis – who are your competitors? How much do current solutions cost? How much will consumers pay? How does your product fit in?
Detail the important aspects of your team’s marketplace study. How can you be reasonably certain that if you solve the problem, a need and/or demand for the solution will exists? Who will buy your product? Why will they bother to try it?
How will your product be manufactured and distributed? Is this reasonable?

Element G: Construction of a Testable Prototype

Objectives:

The final prototype iteration is clearly and fully explained and is constructed with enough detail to assure that objective data on all or nearly all design requirements could be determined.
All attributes (sub-systems) of the unique solution that can be tested or modeled mathematically are addressed.
Well supported justification is provided for those attributes that cannot be tested or modeled mathematically and thus require expert review.

Reflective Questions:

What is the plan to test the prototype design and how can I show others that the testing plan for each design requirement is a well thought our test and would yield believable data?

Include:

Virtual solutions explored
Mock ups
Testable parameters defined
Build procedure overview
Cost
Description and analysis of incremental testing.
Modification during build

Element H: Prototype Testing and Data Collection Plan

Objectives:

Through the conduct of several tests for high priority requirements that are reasonably based on instructional contexts, or through physical or mathematical modeling, the student demonstrates considerable understanding of testing procedure, including the gathering and analysis of resultant data.
The analysis of the effectiveness with which the design met stated goals includes a consistently detailed explanation [and summary] of the data from each portion of the testing procedure and from expert reviews, generously supported by pictures, graphs, charts and other visuals.
The analysis includes an overall summary of the implications of all data for proceeding with the design and solving the problem.

To define and justify the testing method, students need to demonstrate that they are using sound engineering, scientific, and mathematical principles. When applicable, tests that use parts of an ASTM or ISO procedure will generally be easier to define and justify. However, there will be conditions under which it is not reasonable or possible to follow these official procedures, or official procedures do not exist, so students will have to improvise.

Reflective Questions:

What did I/we learn from testing about how well this design met the stated design requirements?
Why should others believe my/our analysis of the data?

Include:

Testing procedures and criteria
Documentation of testing (Pictures, data)
Describe who can help you validate your STEM work – what are training or credentials will you need your experts to have?
Some engineering principles to consider: project management (Gantt chart), documentation (engr. Notebook), stress, strain, material properties
Describe science concepts you need to investigate
Any special computer programs, technology or equipment you might use?

Element I: Testing, Data Collection and Analysis

Objectives:

Documentation of project evaluation by multiple, demonstrably qualified stakeholders and field experts is presented and is synthesized in a consistently specific, detailed, and thorough way.
Documentation is sufficient in two or more categories to yield meaningful analysis of that evaluation data.
The synthesis of evaluations consistently addresses evaluators’ specific questions, concerns, and opinions related to design requirements.

Reflective Questions:

What do end-users and experts directly related to this project and problem statement think of the testing results and my/our conclusions about the effectiveness of this idea?

Include:

Testing results (data tables, graphs, pictures, video)
Testing analysis
Stakeholder feedback

Conclusion

Your instructor will want you to present this Critical Design Review to the class. Can you communicate this information in a timely manner? What Questions do you think the reviewers will ask?