Conceptual Design

" Phase
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"Brainstorming and Exploring Possible Solutions
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LET’S"GET"STARTED!" " " " " " " " " " " " "
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To"many,"most"of"the"work"involved"in"the"previous"phases"has"felt"tedious,"repetitive,"and"un<stimulating."And"
while,"in"some"ways,"you"will"be"transitioning"into"more"creative"outlets,"you"must"understand"that"research"and"
data"collection"will"continue"until"the"project’s"completion."Before"jumping"headfirst"into"tasks"you"deem"‘sexier’,"
remember"that"while"everything"done"up"to"this"point"has"built"a"strong"foundation,"none"of"it"is"set"in"stone.""
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Things"adjust."People"change"their"minds."Assumptions"will"be"proven"wrong."Do"not"get"discouraged"by"this"or"
feel"as"though"your"efforts"are"condemned"to"fall"through."Setbacks"and"failures"are"a"completely"normal"part"of"
any"design"process"and"it"will"be"up"to"you"to"have"the"determination"and"mindset"to"keep"moving"forward.""
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The"previous"phases,"as"mentioned,"taught"you"to"think"in"a"sophisticated"way,"to"ask"informed"questions,"and"be"
perceptive"about"the"impact"things"have"on"each"other."In"other"words,"to"think"profoundly."
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In"this"phase,"you"will"learn"to"think"creatively"and"explore"different"methods"of"brainstorming.""
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Many"people"believe"that"in"order"to"effectively"brainstorm,"you"must"be"an"inherent"creative"genius."In"actuality,"
brainstorming"creative"solutions"mostly"stems"from"being"confident"in"your"ideas,"even"if"they"seem"crazy"at"first.""
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Brainstorming" requires"a" free" and"open"environment"that"is"encouraging"to"everyone"involved." Every"idea"will"
not" necessarily" be" a" good" idea," but" the" hope" is" to" spark" even" more" thoughts" to" eventually" come" up" with"
something"original"and"useful."Each"brainstorming"session"should"be"focused"on"ideas"alone,"as"discussions"about"
their" feasibility" can" be" discouraging" to" some" or" narrow" the" imagination" of" others." Judgment," analysis," and"
criticism"stunts"idea"generation"and"limits"creativity;"even"the"fear"of"having"an"original"thought"attacked"keeps"
many"from"growing"into"real,"tangible"solutions."
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" THE"10"COMMANDMENTS"OF"BRAINSTORMING"
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1" I"will"withhold"criticism" 6" I"will"engage"in"one"conversation"at"a"time"
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2" I"will"encourage"wild"ideas"
" 7" I"will"say"nothing"negative"
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3" I"will"aim"for"quantity"over"quality"
" 8" I"will"ensure"a"welcoming"environment"
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4" I"will"build"on"the"ideas"of"others"
" 9" I"will"be"confident"in"my"ideas"
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5" I"will"stay"focused"on"one"topic"at"a" 10" I"will"draw"and"write"everything"down"
time" for"everyone"to"see"
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1. """""""""""""Functional"Decomposition""
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Although"you’re"itching"to"begin"brainstorming,"you"are,"quite"frankly,"not"ready."And"although"wild,"crazy"ideas"
are" encouraged," " you" first" must" have" specifications" that" will" keep" your" suggestions" refined" and" on" task" to" the"
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problems"at"hand.""
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Functional"Decomposition,"which"sounds"intimidating,"is"really"just"a"strategy"to"simplify"your"project’s"function."
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There"may"be"an"overarching"function"that"your"design"must"fulfill;"however,"most"often,"it"is"the"culmination"of"
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many"sub<functions"that"allows"your"product"to"perform"as"desired.""
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Without" specifically" outlining" the" smaller" tasks," you" run" the" risk" of" trying" to" solve" a" complex" problem" with" a"
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single,"complicated"fix."Decomposing"an"intricate"process"and"breaking"it"down"into"its"smaller,"simpler"parts"is"
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essential," as" working" on" many" simple" components" is" faster," easier," and" reduces" the" likelihood" that" you’ll" miss"
something."" "
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To"perform"a"functional"decomposition,"determine"the"main"function"that"your"end"product"must"perform."If"you"
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are" unclear"about" what" this" is," you" should" return"to"the"previous" phases" and" refine" your"understanding"of" the"
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customer"requirements.""
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Each" function,"" and" then" each" following" sub<function," must" be" broken" down" into" smaller" components," only"
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stopping"when"everything"has"been"accounted"for."Sometimes"when"decomposing,"it"is"tempting"to"think"about"
what"the"project"needs"to"do"and"how"it"will"do"it."Although"the"distinction"between"the"what"and"the"how"can" "
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become"fuzzy,"all"you"should"really"care"about"are"the"tasks"the"project"should"perform."You"should"completely"
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avoid"brainstorming"any"ideas"on"design"and"execution.""
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Throughout"the"decomposition,"there"are"some"common"mistakes"that"you"can"make."Follow"the"handy"list"below"
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and"repeatedly"ask"yourself"if"any"are"present"in"your"diagram.""
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1. Not" breaking" down" far" enough:" Sometimes" when" a" function" seems" intimidating," you" may" be"
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tempted"to"leave"it"alone"and"figure"it"out"at"a"later"time." Don’t."You"may"discover"a"sub"function"
"that"needs"to"be"addressed"now"or"miss"something"altogether."" "
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2. Breaking" down" too" far:" There" is" such" a" thing" as" making" things" too" simple." Instead" of" trying" to"
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simplify"to"the"barebones,"decompose"to"a"point"where"your"statement"is"a"single,"manageable"task."
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3. Not"reviewing"client"requirements:""To"ensure"the"scope"is"correct"and"that"the"product"remains"
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usable"to"the"client,"constantly"review"the"project"needs"you"have"previously"defined.""
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4. Not" identifying" risk" areas" of" a" project:"A"risk"area"can"mean"a"vague"sub<function,"an"intricate"
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relationship"between"many"sub<functions,"an"essential"function,"or"basically"anything"that"will"risk"
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your"product"not"functioning"properly."If"a"risk"area"is"identified,"significant"effort"should"be"made"
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to"ensure"that"the"sub<functions"are"clear,"doable,"and"integral"to"any"idea"generated.""
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5. Not"identifying"relationships"between"every"function:"While"it’s"easy"to"merely"connect"parent"
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and" child" functions," try" to" think" more" profoundly" about" how" things" affect" each" other." You" may"
"work" on" a" function" without" success" until" you" realize" that" it" won’t" work" until" another" function"
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becomes"operational.""
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You" will" be" moving" into" brainstorming" in" the" next" section" but," in" your" excitement" for" that," do" not" rush" this."
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Without" a" clear" idea" of" what" functions" your" project" must" perform," any" ideas" generated" will" fail" to" meet" the"
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customer"requirements."Take"your"time"and"do"it"right,"or"you’ll"end"up"repeating"this"task"many,"many"times.""
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2. """""""""""""Brainstorming""
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Now" that" you" have" a" solid" understanding" of" what" your" project" needs" to" do," you" can" start" developing" possible"
solutions" that" will" meet" those" specifications." Brainstorming" can" be" done" individually" or" in" a" group" setting;"
however,"combining"both"approaches"most"often"attains"the"best"results.""
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Most" people" would" assume" that" the" number" of" ideas" or" amount" of" creativity" determines" whether" a" team" can"
brainstorm"successfully."In"fact,"the"biggest"obstacle"is"your"team"dynamic."Some"problems"are"that:"
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1. StrongYwilled"people"who"lead"group"discussions"can"pressure"others"into"conforming."
2. Some"people"tend"to"be"more"creative"away"from"a"crowd."
3. Group"discussions"can"create"a"critical"and"unsupportive"environment."
4. There"is"chaos"and"disorganization"because"everyone"wants"their"ideas"to"be"heard"and"chosen."
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Whether"you"are"in"a"new"or"continuing"team,"tension"and"disagreements"happen."People"are"required"to"voice"
their"opinions"and"listen"to"others,"and"it’s"easy"to"get"frustrated"when"the"two"don’t"agree."Although"everyone"
has"different"perspectives"and"it’s"sometimes"hard"to"reach"unanimity,"that"diversity"is"a"team’s"biggest"asset.""
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The"point"of"brainstorming"isn’t"to"‘wow’"your"team"members"or"play"Devil’s"Advocate."Someone"may"have"one"
hundred"ideas"they"like"or"one"they"really"love,"and"none"of"them"may"present"the"perfect"solution."The"hope"is"to"
work"together"to"combine"many"good"suggestions"into"one"great"idea.""
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As"a"team,"you" may"fight"and"challenge"each"other."That’s"okay."But"if" that"does"happen,"it"is"up"to"everyone" to"
behave"maturely"and"professionally,"to"discuss"where"the"tension"is"coming"from."If"needed,"reevaluate"what"isn’t"
working" in" the" session" and" change" it" so" everyone" feels" comfortable,"productive," and"listened"to."The" team"can"
take" a" break," get" refreshments," and" get" back" to" being" productive" about" the" problems" at" hand." Brainstorming"
should" be" an" invigorating" and" inventive" experience!" If" it" isn’t," reach" out" to" a" mentor" to"discuss" what" needs" to"
change."
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3. """""""""""""Rules"Of"Brainstorming""
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There"is"a"lot"of"value"in"using"a"collaborative"approach"to"the"design"process,"but"a"few"ground"rules"need"to"be"
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put"in"place"to"ensure"brainstorming"sessions"are"actually"effective.""
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• Provide"strong"leadership"and"a"framework"to"follow."
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If" a" session"
" is" without" rules" and" proper" direction," discussions" will" either" go" off<topic" or" be" led" by" the"
loudest"voice"in"the"room,"preventing"shy"people"from"being"heard."
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• Give"everyone"individual"and"collaborative"time"to"generate"ideas."
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Everyone"thinks"and"feels"things"in"a"different"way,"and"it’s"important"to"provide"different"types"of"people"
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with" alternative"
" methods" that" allow" their" personal" creative" juices" to" flow." Introverts" typically" need"
individual"times"or"discussions"with"a"single"partner"to"come"up"with"ideas,"while"extroverts"need"to"feel"
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engaged"in"a"group’s"energy"to"contribute"at"their"peak.""
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• Make"it"mandatory"for"everyone"to"contribute"ideas."
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Distributing"the"workload"of"the"discussion"not"only"makes"things"fair"but"forces"shy"individuals"to"share"
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and"loud"people"to"take"the"time"to"listen.""
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• Ban"harsh"criticism."
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A" brainstorming"
" session"should" be" a"safe"place" to"share"personal"opinions,"without" fear" of"rejection," no"
matter""how" crazy" an" idea" may" seem." If" disrespect," criticism," or" judgment" becomes" prevalent" amongst"
team"members,"friction"can"form"and"members"become"unwilling"to"share"for"fear"of"being"shot"down.""
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4. """""""""""""Steps"Of"Brainstorming""
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The"following"steps"are"a"guideline"to"help"you"get"started"with"your"own"brainstorming"session."Although"there"
are"certain"rules"every"brainstorming"session"should"follow,"there"are"many"creative"ways"it"can"be"conducted."
As"long"as"the"rules"already"mentioned"are"incorporated,"there"is"no"‘right’"way"to"run"a"brainstorming"session,"as"
long"as"you"are"being"productive"and"effective."
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A" general" framework" has" been" provided" below" to" guide" you" through" your" first" brainstorm." You" can" follow" it"
exactly"or"Google"ways"to"spruce"it"up"and"make"it"more"relevant"to"your"team.""
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" " • Clearly"define"the" STEP"3"
STEP"1" " problem"you"want"to"
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" solve"and"any"criteria" • Start"a"group"
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• Set"up"a"comfortable" the"solution"must" discussion"to"develop"
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meeting"environment" meet." other"people's"ideas."
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for"the"session"(provide" • Give"people"quiet" • The"group"facilitator"
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refreshments,"writing" time"at"the"start"of"the" can"share"ideas"but"
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tools,"etc."as"needed)." session"to"work" spend"their"time"and"
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• Have"a"list"of"required" independently"(or" energy"supporting"
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prep"everyone"must" have"them"buddy"up)." team"members"and"
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conduct"before"the" • Ask"people"to"share" guiding"the"discussion."
meeting."" their"ideas." • Stick"to"one"
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• Appoint"one"person"to" " conversation"at"a"time."
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record"all"ideas"and" • Don't"follow"one"train"
STEP"2"
keep"the"discussion"on" of"thought"for"too"long."
task." " • Take"breaks"and"have"
" fun!"
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KEEP"IN"MIND..."
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Being" creative" and"developing" new" ideas"can" be" fun" and"exciting," but" there"are" times"when"everyone" just" gets"
stumped." Sometimes" we’re" exhausted," but" other" times" we" are" merely" stuck" in" the" same" line" of" thinking" that’s"
been"thoroughly"explored"in"previous"discussions."In"order"to"break"out"of"that"mindset"and"think"outside"of"the"
box,"use"the"SCAMPER"acronym"to"begin"moving"forward"once"more:"
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Substitute""" " Can"you"use"a"different"method,"device,"or"material"or"change"the"environment?"
Combine"" " " Can"you"combine"ideas"together"to"produce"a"better"idea?"
Adapt"" " " " " What"ideas"are"similar"that"could"be"emulated"or"adapted"to"fit"the"current"need?"
Modify"
""""Minify"""""""""""""""""""" " Can"you"change"the"current"idea,"make"it"smaller"or"larger"in"some"way?"
""""Magnify""
Put"to"other"uses"""" " Can"you"use"the"idea"in"a"new"way?"
Eliminate"" " " Are"there"any"ideas"that"have"been"shown"to"not"work?"
Reverse"
""""Rearrange""""""""""""" Would"an"opposing"idea"give"you"additional"information,"or"can"you"interchange"the"
key"elements"of"the"idea"to"form"a"new"one?"
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" Alternative"Brainstorming"Approaches"
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The"Six"Thinking"Hats:"A"technique"to"look"at"ideas"from"different"perspectives."
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The"Stepladder"Technique:"Improves"contribution"of"introverts."
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Brainwriting:"Written"approach"to"encourage"all"individuals"to"develop"ideas."
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Online"Brainstorming/BrainYnetting:"Electronic"method"where"ideas"are"stored"on"a"central"server."
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Crawford’s"Slip"Writing"Approach:"To"obtain"many"ideas"and"assess"their"popularity."
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Starbursting:"Helps"establish"questions"you"need"to"ask"for"developing"proposals."
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Charette"Procedure:"Helps"brainstorming"with"large"teams."
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Reverse"Brainstorming:"To"evaluate"and"improve"an"in<use"product"or"service."
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RoundYRobin"Brainstorming:"To"get"team"members"to"contribute"ideas"without"people"influencing"them."
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Rolestorming:"Members"take"on"other"people’s"identities"to"increase"fun"and"creativity,"while"learning"
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alternative"perspectives."
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5. """""""""""""Prior"Artifacts"Research""
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Another"way"to"generate"possible"solutions"is"to"look"at"what"others"have"already"done.""
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This"can"be"tricky,"since"you"cannot"copy"another"product"or"service,"especially"if"it"has"been"patented."Instead"of"
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trying"to"use"what’s"on"the"market"as"a"model"for"your"solution,"doing"prior"artifacts"research"allows"you"to"see"
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how"other"people"have"tried"to"address"the"same"problem.""
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It’s"easy"for"us"to"become"stuck"on"one"way"of"doing"things"or"falling"in"love"with"one"idea"we’ve"generated."But"
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try" not" to." Becoming" emotionally" attached" and" biased" to" certain" methods" limits" your" ability" to" see" the" bigger"
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picture"and"generate"ideas"that"are"outside"the"current"realm"of"solutions."Even"if"your"idea"is"entirely"unsuited"
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to"the"problem,"you"may"ignore"all"signs"of"that"and"charge"ahead,"resulting"in"wasted"effort,"money,"and"time.""
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Common"ways"to"research"prior"artifacts"are"to"do"web"searches,"look"at"patents,"discuss"with"the"clients"what"
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they’ve"been" using" so"far,"or" talk"to" experts"associated"with"the" problem"(For"example," if"you’re"tackling"STEM"
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education,"go"to"the"science"museum"or"a"school"and"see"what"they"do)."
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While" this" is" a"" good" method" to" spark" more" creativity," it" is" also" extremely" useful" for" measuring" what’s" on" the"
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market"against"the"specifications"you’ve"defined."Doing"this"will"allow"you"to"see"what’s"done"well"and"what"gaps"
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there"are"in"the"market"that"can"set"you"apart.""
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Example"
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" Mini"Tape" iPod"&"Griffin"
" Requirement" Talkie"Board"
Recorder" iTalk"
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" Ability"to"record"sounds" ! " ! " ! "
" Sound"Access" " " ! "
" Volume" ! " ! " ! "
" Different"modes" ! " ! " ! "
" Power"Control" ! " " ! "
" Multiple"message"
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accessibility"
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Cost"≤"$50" ! " " - "
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KEEP"IN"MIND..."
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You" are" nearing" the" end" of" brainstorming" and" will" begin" transitioning" into" choosing" the" best" solution." It" is"
important"that"you"have"several"potential"ideas,"instead"of"just"one."In"order"to"move"forward,"you"will"need"to"
obtain"customer"feedback"to"ensure"you’re"on"the"right"track"and"refine"the"solution.""
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Having" only" one" idea" limits" feedback" and" confines" the" customer" into" the" one"line" of"thinking" that" you" may" be"
stuck"in."If"you’re"stuck"on"one"idea,"go"back"and"repeat"some"steps"of"brainstorming."Test"yourselves"to"generate"
ideas" outside" of" your" current" approach" and" return" here" only" when" you’ve" stretch" your" imagination" to" its"
capacity."
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" 6. " Evaluate"Feasibility"of"Potential"Solutions""
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In"this"phase,"you"are"on"a"clock.""
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Your"tasks"will"be"to"create"rough"prototypes/drawings,"develop"a"proof<of<concept"test,"and"communicate"these"
things" to" your" community" partner." While"the" workload"is" intimidating," this" is" not"a" step" you" should" be"taking"
weeks"to"complete."Although"working"prototypes"aren’t"feasible"for"every"project,"do"the"next"best"thing.""
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You"may"be"able" to" visualize" what" your"potential"solutions" look"like"but"your"customer"may" not;"which" is" why"
prototypes" are" critical" to" communicating" to" your" client" what" your" current" solutions" are." You" may" also" use"
multiple"prototypes"to"demonstrate"different"aspects"of"the"same"project."Ultimately,"the"key"is"to"get"stakeholder"
feedback" on" these" prototypes," which" can" be" used" to" develop" and" refine" the" current" direction." To" prototype"
quickly:"
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1. Keep" it" simple." Have" a" coherent" idea" with" minimum" components." It" can" be" tempting" to" pile" on" more"
features"to"the"design"but"stick"to"what"you"know"and"only"what"you"need."
2. Don’t" strive" for" perfection." Most" people" get" stuck" trying" to" perfect" their" first" iteration." But" just" do" it."
There"is"no"right"time"to"execute"ideas."You"will"always"lack"confidence,"money,"and"skills"but"you"might"as"
well"use"the"passing"time"to"fail"fast"and"learn"even"faster."
3. Know"your"options."Software"and"3<D"printers"are"essential"to"rapidly"creating"a"physical"model"of"your"
product."But"don’t"assume"that"a"CAD"drawing"is"the"only"relevant"method"to"visualize"your"idea."Explore"
what’s"out"there"and"this"can"end"up"saving"you"a"significant"amount"of"time."
4. It’s"okay"to"take"shortcuts."There"is"no"reason"whatsoever"to"redesign"the"wheel."Use"libraries,"defaults"
in"software,"and"ignore"designing"how"it"looks."No"one"cares"if"the"first"prototype"is"ugly"and"it’s"okay"if"it"
has"issues."You"are"merely"validating"the"idea."
5. Treat" it" as" glorified" arts" and" crafts."If"you"don’t"have"access"to"expensive"software"and"materials,"use"
cardboard" and" tape." Set" aside" a" specific"time"period" to" get" as" much" of" your" prototype" done" as" you" can."
People"have"prototyped"full" products"in"as"little"as"24"hours"after"the"idea’s"conception."Do"your"best" to"
strive"to"that.""
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If" relevant" or" possible," prepare" and" conduct" a" proof" of" concept" test" to"demonstrate" how"the" final"product"will"
work."Doing"this"may"or"may"not"be"applicable"to"your"project."Use"your"best"judgment"and"refer"to"your"mentors"
for"input.""
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Once" you’re" done," get" as" much" feedback" from" your" community" partner" as" possible." Let" them" play" with" your"
models" and" show" you" changes" they’d" like" to" see." As" the"users" of" the"final" product,"it" is"essential" that" you" take"
sufficient"time"showing"them"your"solutions."If"you’re"in"and"out"within"fifteen"minutes,"you’ve"done"something"
wrong."
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7. " Choose"the"Best"Solution""
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Now"that"you"have"a"number"of"possible"solutions,"and"input"from"your"stakeholders,"you"will"need"to"create"a"
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decisions"matrix"to"help"choose"between"the"different"options"available."
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A"decision"matrix"is"a"systematic"way"to"evaluate"the"possible"alternatives"in"your"design."It"consists"of"a"set"of"
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comparison"criteria,"which"are"most"often"your"specifications,"a"column"ranking"their"importance,"and"columns"
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for"each"of"your"proposals.""
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An"example"has"been"provided"below."
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" Weights" Potential"Solutions"
Criteria"for"
1"="low,"5"="high" Option"A" Option"B" Option"C"
Comparison"
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" Criteria'1' 2" " " "
" Criteria'2' 1" " " "
" Criteria'3' 5" " " "
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Once"your"matrix"is"set"up,"go"through"and"evaluate"each"of"the"potential"solutions"against"the"criteria."Note"that"
"
even"if"a"solution"meets"the"majority"of"specifications,"it"may"not"be"the"best"option."You"must"also"look"at"how"
"
you’ve"ranked"each"specification,"as"not"all"criteria"are"of"equal"importance"to"your"stakeholders."
" "
"
The"difficulty"lies"in"deciding"how"to"weigh"each"of"the"criteria"selected,"as"many"can"be"interrelated."You"will"
"
need"to"sort"through"how"each"of"the"criteria"you’ve"developed"affect"other"criteria,"in"order"to"determine"the"
"
significance"of"each"one."
" "
"
At"this"point,"you"may"want"to"meet"with"your"community"partner"to"obtain"their"input"on"how"to"weight"the"
"
specifications."While"you"may"feel"that"cost"is"more"important,"your"community"partner"may"feel"that"safety"
"
should"be"the"primary"focus"and"are"willing"to"pay"more"to"obtain"it.""
" "
" "
" "
" Developing"Criteria"
"
"
"
"
Category" Example"Criteria"
" Will"the"design"do"what"I"need"it"to?"
" - Processing"speed"
"
Functional"Performance" - Storage"capacity"
" - Measurement"accuracy"
" - Structural"integrity"
"
Does"the"design"fit"the"physical"constraints?"
"
Form"(physical"aspects)" - Size"
"
- Weight"
"
Are"there"any"aesthetic"constraints?"
"
- Décor"of"the"deployment"location"
"
Aesthetics"
- Promotion"of"use"
"
- Appearance"of"internal"or"external"design"
"
Are"there"any"economic"constraints?"
"
" - Cost"of"development"
Economic"
- Cost"of"construction"
"
- Cost"of"maintenance"
"
" Are"there"any"environmental"constraints?"
Environmental"
" - EPA"requirements"
- Disposal"issues"
"
 Are"there"any"ethical"issues"involved"with"the"design?"
- Intellectual"property"
Ethical"
" - Codes"or"Standards"
" - Professional"conduct"
" Are"there"any"health"or"safety"issues?"
" - Risk"of"physical"injury"
Health"and"Safety"
" - Risk"of"emotional"or"mental"harm"
" - Can"be"used"for"unintended"uses"
" Does"your"design"unnecessarily"exclude"certain"users?"
" - Dexterity"requirements"
Inclusiveness"
" - Cognitive"requirements"
" - Non<adaptability"
" Are"there"any"manufacturability"constraints?"
"
Manufacturability" - Ease"of"production"
" - Accessibility"of"materials"
" Are"there"any"political"issues?"
"
Political" - Local,"state,"or"federal"codes,"policies,"and"standards"
" - Relationships"of"power"between"or"within"organizations"
" Are"there"any"social"issues?"
" - Discrimination"based"on"gender,"age,"race/ethnicity,"
Social"
" culture,"socio<economic"status"
" - Impact"on"community’s"way"of"life"
" Are"there"any"sustainability"issues?"
" - Maintenance"requirements"
Sustainability"
" - Ease"of"maintenance"
" - Availability"of"materials"needed"for"repairs"
"
Are"there"any"usability"issues?"
"
- Clarity"of"user"interface"
Usability"
"
- Clarity"of"instructions"
"
- Training"requirements"
"
"
"
"
"
"
KEEP"IN"MIND..."
" "
"
Once"you"have"analyzed"all"of"the"potential"solutions,"you"must"decide"on"one"to"pursue.""
" "
"
However,"just"because"you"have"chosen"one"option"does"not"mean"that"it"will"lead"to"a"completed"project."You"
"
may"get"partway"into"your"design"and"realize"that"it"just"won’t"work."Don’t"limit"yourself"to"this"solution"and"
"
don’t"force"an"outcome."It"isn’t"worth"the"time"you"will"waste."
" "
"
Instead,"return"to"this"phase"and"reanalyze"all"of"the"potential"solutions,"with"the"new"information"you"gleaned"
"
from"your"first"attempt."Redo"your"analysis"to"incorporate"more"ideas"you"may"have"come"across"and"move"
"
forward"with"one"that"best"fits"the"new"information"you"have.""
" "
"
Remember"that"it’s"okay"to"not"get"things"right"the"first"time."In"the"design"process,"failure"is"inevitable"at"some"
"
stage."What"matters"is"your"ability"to"focus"on"what"can"be"learned"and"how"it"will"affect"the"project"moving"
forward."
"
"
 8. " Choose"the"Best"Solution""
"
"
As"mentioned"previously,"documentation"is"extremely"important."You"have"now"chosen"one"idea"to"pursue"based"
off"of"a"Design"Matrix,"but"this"realistically"tells"us"very"little.""
"
How" did" you" decide" to" weight" the" criteria?" Why" will" each" function" fulfill" each" specification?" In" detail," what"
components"make"up"your"solution?"Essentially,"what"are"the"justifications"for"choosing"this"solution?"
"
To"complete"this"stage,"you"must"complete"a"design"decision" table"to"consolidate"all"of"the"decisions"you"made"
about"your"project’s"design."While"this"may"seem"tedious"and"repetitive,"and"you’re"just"itching"to"move"forward,"
do"this"one"last"thing"first.""
"
In"every"design"process,"you"will"need"to"go"back"and"justify"why"you"made"the"decisions"that"you"did."Whether"
it’s"your"community"partner,"client,"boss,"or"investor"who’s"interested,"informing"them"that"‘it"seemed"like"a"good"
idea"at"the"time’"is"unacceptable."Not"only"will"this"clarify"that"you’re"choosing"this"option"for"the"right"reasons,"it"
makes"it"far"easier"to"go"back"and"make"modifications"if"something"doesn’t"work."
"
As"a"design"decisions"table"is"merely"a"short"report,"you"should"have"alternative"records"outlining"each"solution"
chosen"and"discussions"in"greater"depth"the"reasons"for"choosing"it."Should"you"ever"need"to"return"to"this"phase,"
you"will"thank"your"past"selves"for"providing"justification"and"clarity"to"your"past"actions.""
"
It"may"feel"like"you"could"list"your"reasons"for"each"decision"easily"and,"while"that"may"be"true,"it"is"only"true"now."
Discussions"and"information"are"fresh"in"your"mind;"of"course"you"will"be"able"to"recite"them."However,"weeks"
from"now,"thoughts"become"fuzzy"and"things"aren’t"as"clear"as"they"used"to"be."Never"assume"that"you’ll"
remember"something"in"the"future."Save"yourself"the"embarrassment"of"possibly"forgetting"and"just"write"it"
down."

"
"
Developing"Criteria"
"
"
"
" "
"
Function" Solution" Justifications"
" LED/Photosensor"for" - LED/Photosensors"and"microswitches"are"cheap"
" detection"of"card"with" and"easy"to"use"
Card"Identification"
" microswitches"for" - "All"easily"interface"with"digital"logic"and"
" placement" microcontrollers"
" Use"of"toggle"switches"
" - Switches"and"buttons"are"cheap"and"easy"to"use"
for"mode"selection"and"
Mode"Selection"
" - All"easily"interface"with"digital"logic"and"
locking"pushbutton"for"
" microcontrollers"
power"
" - Enough"storage"capacity"for"required"number"of"
" sounds"
"
Play"and"Record" - Easy"access"to"stored"sound"clips"
ISD25120"Sound"Chip"
Sounds"" - Built"in"play"and"record"ability"
" - Easily"interfaced"with"digital"logic"and"
microcontrollers"
Slotted"tray"for"holding" - Easy"to"place"and"remove"cards"
User"Interface"
cards" - Easy"to"view"cards"when"placed"at"a"45o"angle"
 CHECKLIST
Must be completed before moving on to the next phase
"
"
Functional Decomposition
"
" "
Completed TASKS: Can Be Found:
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Brainstorming
"
" "
"
Completed TASKS: Can Be Found:
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Prior Artifacts Research
"
"
"
"
Completed TASKS: Can Be Found:
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Prototyping
"
" "
Completed
" TASKS: Can Be Found:
"
"
"
"
"
"
 Design Matrix
" "
Completed TASKS: Can Be Found:
"
"
"
"

Design Decision Table

"
Completed TASKS: Can Be Found: