Workflow Description
The process leading to a functional alpha prototype is delineated by six major milestones: the opportunities presentation, the feasibility model review, final concept selection, the architecture review, the technical review, and the final presentation.
A team is comprised of two lab sections that initially work in cooperative competition to generate design alternatives. The team works in full cooperation only after the mockup review. Cooperative competition means the two sections will work in parallel, sharing information and coordinating resources as appropriate, but they will also develop their initial ideas independently. This is an effective way to ensure that a diverse range of ideas is investigated—rigor in breadth. The approach increases the likelihood that there is a very strong single concept to select after the mockup review, and it also allows students to practice managing a smaller group (~10) before working as a larger team.
Milestones
Opportunities Pitch
Each team will be responsible for generating 6 fundamentally sound opportunities based on the theme and presenting these concepts to the class in a 6-minute presentation.
This milestone is intended to help you learn how to prepare and present concepts that are value add to your client and or company. Each team will present and describe the 6 product opportunities in a very short amount of time—each idea will have roughly the amount of time you might have to pitch a new idea to an investor or program lead, about 1 minute each. This type of presentation is called an “elevator pitch”.
Feasibility Model Review
The goal of the strategy presentation is to focus in on two to three concepts that your team has narrowed down and focused on. In this presentation, each team with obtain helpful design feedback from the class, early in the process.
You will use feedback from this review to pick the final product concepts to pursue for the design review. The presentation will be a first look into presenting concepts in a formal design review format.
Each team with show a combination of well-prepared sketches and/or simple CAD models, simulations or computational models, order of magnitude estimates, and first gen (sketch model) prototypes (foam models, mock-ups, etc). Relevant technical, market, customer needs, and benchmarking data must also be provided.
Architecture Review
The goal of the architecture review is to present a well thought through design (CAD models, drawings, specifications, etc) as a pre-prototype check. Each team will use this presentation as a way of validating their design to the class prior to moving forward with a “costly” prototype. This process will also show the evolution of the design, resolution of the critical or key risks and issues. A design review checklist will be provided to make sure all sub-systems have been covered.
Technical Review
The goal of the technical review is to inform instructors about the state of your functional, final prototype and to obtain critical feedback. This feedback will help you prioritize improvements for the final presentation. The review will help you practice how to factually present a product prototype to colleagues in a professional working context and obtain design feedback.
In addition to a demonstrable prototype and prepared 4-minute presentation, you will also need to submit your updated product contract.
This is a technical design review, so important aspects that will be considered include:
- Mechanical design details
- Human factors/form/aesthetics
- System integration
- Details/prototype execution/manufacturing & cost analysis
- Performance quality/safety/reliability
Final Presentations
The final project deliverable is a formal presentation that is attended by the entire class, and is open to all faculty, students and guests. It will take place during a date indicated on the class schedule and/or on the date specified.
This presentation provides each team with the opportunity to show their work to a wide audience that will include their peer group, academics, industry professionals and even investors! This presentation is not unlike pitching a product or new ventures concept to potential business partners, investors, etc. You must be able to effectively demonstrate your product and its value to a diverse audience with different intentions. It is important to remember that members of the audience are of various backgrounds, education levels, etc. Being able to confidently and effectively communicate and demonstrate your design as a team will be a skill that you continually reference throughout your career.
Not only should you demonstrate your working prototype, but you will also want to present customer data, market information, specifications and background for your product.