Planning and managing

Planning determines how the proposed system may be produced and involves careful consideration of the sequential steps required to fabricate components that form the system and subsystems. In project planning, milestones serve as checkpoints that indicate progress and maturity. These milestones represent different stages in the development process, marking key achievements or goals reached along the way. The maturity of the development of the system refers to how well-defined, refined and tested the system becomes at each milestone. This maturity is demonstrated through tangible evidence, such as simulations, and the iterative developing and testing of prototypes. Each milestone provides an opportunity to assess the system’s readiness to proceed to the next stage and ensures that development efforts are aligned with the project’s goals. A work plan is developed, outlining a sequenced series of steps and timelines. Timelines represent a chronological sequence of activities plotted against a linear scale, typically indicating when tasks or milestones are expected to occur. This plan also identifies the necessary components and materials crucial for the system’s realisation, along with where to source these components and materials.

First Diamond

• Undertaking and documenting research and idea development

Second Diamond

• Describe, document and manage production work and goals of production
• Develop the work plan to produce and implement the system:
  • timeline and sequence of steps
  • electronic and mechanical components required
  • list materials and tools required

Project management

• planning to identify tasks, resources and timelines and sequencing steps and setting milestones throughout the project
• communicating to convey information and working with others
• using contemporary methodologies to improve efficiency, identify problems and optimise processes
• time management to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• budget management to monitor costs and resources to stay within budgetary constraints.

Evidence of planning is required in your folio