Basics of Design Research
Class: Module: Prepared By:
Overview & Purpose National STEM Standards Addressed
The student teams will develop their products based on National Science Standards
questions and specifications answered during the front- Standard E - E1, E3, E4
end analysis before design actually begins. The teams
will then demonstrate their understanding of the design National Technology Standards
process by working through the engineering design Standards - 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 19
process, developing a virtual product and presenting it to
the class. National Engineering Standards
Standards – C, D, G, K
Objectives:
1. The students will investigate and research techniques for a Front-End Analysis
2. The students will collaborate as a team and as a class to develop and redesign products
3. The students will utilize information from the front end analysis for product development pertaining to its major
function, environmental/ working conditions it will be exposed to daily and workpiece material research
4. The students will create an informative, technical poster demonstrating their front end analysis, sketches, and
product design model or an electronic presentation for the class
Materials/ Resources:
1. Books, CD’s, DVD’s, and Internet
2. Computer
3. Poster board for the timeline/chart
4. Presentation software to create slideshow
5. Graph paper and pencil
Front End Analysis Basics
The front-end analysis is one of the most important elements in any design process. It is the tool that helps the
designer to understand the user(s), their needs and the demand on the work situation. All of the front-end
analysis tools are not carried out in detail for every project but in general, the designer should be able to answer
questions to the following questions before any design solutions are generated:
1. Who are the product/system(s) users? (this doesn’t just include the direct user but all people
who will maintain, monitor, repair and dispose of the product or system)
2. What are the major functions to be performed by the system, whether by person or machine?
What tasks must be performed?
3. What are the environmental conditions where the product or system will be used?
4. What are the user’s preferences or requirements for the product?
STEM Enhanced Lessons
Activity:
1. Use books, CD’s, DVD’s and/or the internet along with other resources to find information pertaining to Front-
End Analysis Techniques. You will find several methods of tools to use to develop information gathering
material that will help your team answer the questions mentioned above.
2. Once your research is complete, ask your instructor, an automotive mechanic/instructor, agricultural instructor
or farmer, etc. for a “problem/ product” to develop or re-design. (Remember, you will need to establish
your tools from the front-end analysis research in step 1, in order to get the most information
possible to begin development of a solution) Using these tools, you should cover each area before
design solutions begin;
a. User/ Needs Analysis
b. Environmental Analysis
c. Function/ Performance Analysis
3. Using your data gathered, begin developing a solution for the problem and working through the engineering
design process illustrated in the Basics of Design lesson. (Use the Internet to research further if needed)
4. On a separate sheet of paper, begin to list the important facts for function/ performance, user requirements
and environmental conditions.
5. Use the graph paper to sketch out specifics of required size and geometry of the new or re-design product.
6. Use the Mastercam Software to “design” your basic geometry of the specifications you developed for the
design.
7. Create a poster or construct an electronic presentation to report your findings to the class. Be sure to list your
design model used and explain your progress through each step, the Front-End Analysis results and your
design/ re-design of the product.
STEM Enhanced Lessons
