Technical Review
Background
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.
You can view projects from other years in the gallery (select a project and click on the technical review tab).
Requirements
Each team should complete a fully functional prototype for the technical review. All technical features of the product should be working and testable by users by this point in the design process. To reach the end goal, it is important to tackle the most difficult technical challenges early on so that there is time to try multiple approaches. Different technical challenges may be worked on by different task forces simultaneously. Aim to have all of the technical challenges worked out at least a week and a half before the technical review to leave time for integration of the components and the resulting debugging of the completed system.
- Updated product contract for their product
- A prepared 4 minute demonstration of their prototype.
The review is an informal, interactive prototype demonstration. Think of it as a mostly show (demonstration), not tell, presentation. Be ready to have reviewers using your prototype.
Each team will be visited by review groups who will visit for 15 minutes each. Teams will alternate between having a 15 minute review period and a 15 minute rest period. The TAs will stop by during one of the 15 minute rest periods to take pictures and record the 4 minute demonstration which will be posted on the review forms on the course website.
Grading
The review contributes to 20% of your grade and all course instructors will participate in the review process. In order to receive the team grade for this milestone, you need to meaningfully contribute to the team's effort for this milestone.
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
- Performance quality/safety/reliability
In addition to a demonstrable prototype and prepared 4-minute presentation, you will also need to submit an updated product contract.
Instructors will attend the review and will meet immediately following to discuss each prototype, but your team instructors will determine your final grade.
Preparation Logistics
The technical review is scheduled from 7-10pm on November 21st.
Each team will need to turn in the following deliverables before the technical review:
- Special demonstration arrangements requests - due by Friday November 18th at 9am but the earlier the better. Each team will have an assigned area to demonstrate their prototypes. Possible locations include the team areas in Pappalardo and nearby rooms and spaces. If your team needs to demonstrate in an area other than your team space (e.g., outside) or needs access to special facilities/equipment/props, please discuss with the course instructors.
- Updated product contract suitable for plotting and mounting on 24"x36" foam core (portrait or landscape is fine).
- Each team should also prepare and practice a 4-minute demonstration of their prototype. These demonstrations will be recorded by the 2.009 TAs during the review and will be posted on the technical review pages. Please plan and practice this hands-on demonstration so that you can explain your product and demonstrate your models efficiently in the 4-minute timeframe.
This demonstration is also a good way to start each of your 15 minute review periods. The rest of the review period will involve the reviewers trying out the prototype and Q&A between the team and reviewers. Not only will the reviewers be asking you questions, but you may ask the reviewers questions, too! This is a good opportunity to get suggestions for any remaining technical issues that you may be having.
Day-of Logistics
PRODUCT CONTRACT SUBMISSION
Upload Here!
by 3PM, Monday, November 21: Your updated product contract will need to be uploaded in advance so the TAs can plot and mount them for the technical review. Please format them for 24"x36" foam core, 150dpi. Please send a png or jpg to the TAs.
LAB AVAILABILITY
Monday, November 21: Work in the Pappalardo Lab will stop at the usual 4:45 PM on Monday, but you will have access to set up your team/demonstration area until 7:00 PM.
DINNER
Starting at around 6PM, students will be provided a dinner (in 3-434). A vegan option will be available.
DEMONSTRATION AREA PREPARATION
Upload Here!
Monday, November 21 until 7:00 PM: Each team is responsible for preparing their assigned demonstration area so that it is ready for the technical review. Preparation includes putting the mounted product contract poster(s) on provided easels and having the prototypes set up and ready for demonstration and user testing.
Review Logistics
The review rotations will start at 7:05 PM and end at approximately 9:45 PM. Each team should be in their team demonstration area by 7:00 PM.
There will be a total of 3 15-minute demonstration periods to reviewers per team with transition periods and breaks in-between.
Each team should have at least two designated note-takers recording the feedback provided.
Rotation Schedule
|
| red
| orange
| yellow
| green
| blue
| purple
| pink
|
| 7:05-7:20
| Break
| Break
| Team 2
| Break
| Break
| Team 3
| Team 1
|
| 7:20-7:30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7:30-7:45
| Team 1
| Team 4
| Break
| Team 2
| Team 3
| Break
| Break
|
| 7:45-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8-8:15
| Team 4
| Team 3
| Team 1
| Break
| Break
| Team 2
| Break
|
| 8:15-8:30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8:30-8:45
| Break
| Break
| Team 4
| Team 1
| Team 2
| Break
| Team 3
|
| 8:45-9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 9-9:15
| Team 3
| Team 2
| Break
| Break
| Break
| Team 1
| Team 4
|
| 9:15-9:30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 9:30-9:45
| Break
| Break
| Break
| Team 4
| Team 1
| Break
| Break
|
| Reviewer Teams
|
|
|
|
|
| Team 1
| Team 2
| Team 3
| Team 4
|
|
| Danny*
| Rob P*
| Rich*
| John B*
| * team leader
|
| James P
| Sam I
| Steve B
| Kamala
|
|
| Ellen
| Nate P
| Dave Custer
| Atisssa
|
|
| Kyra
| Juhan Sonin
| Liz Stevens
| Charlotte
|
|
| Dave
| Juergen Schoenstein
| Adam Frick
| Josh
|
|
| Amandeep
| April
| Sam Gollob
| Tom
|
|
| Ben
| Keith
| Micki Dupnik
| Mitchell Guillame
|
|
After the Review
If you did not demonstrate in your team area, please bring all models back to your team area.
Note takers should share the notes taken with the entire team.
Your product contract and video demonstration will be put on the results page so that instructors can provide more detailed feedback before your team meeting that week. At least three instructors will be assigned to provide additional feedback for your team.
Presentation Tips
The communication instructors have prepared the following technical review presentation tips videos.
Technical review tips
Technical review terminology