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SDSU Mechanical Engineering Accumulator Design for a Formula SAE Electric Race Car

Top "Best Practices"​from 30

Engineering Design Projects
Published on October 9, 2019

Scott Shaffar 1 article

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Engineering Design Program Leader

The items below are the top "best practices" from my recently
completed capstone design program which was comprised of 30 design
projects supported by 180 engineers. These projects produced
successful designs covering a broad spectrum of applications including
sports, manufacturing, electronics, bioengineering, aerospace,
automotive, robotics, and energy. 
·      Clearly define the customer’s problem and need
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statements. Remind the project team often about these statements to
keep them focused.

·      Create and follow a project management plan including a project

schedule, overall materials and labor budget, the project’s scope of
work, and a supporting team organizational structure with clear
assignments for all team members. Keep the team continuously aware
of major project milestones.

·      Drive for diversity on your project team – especially from a

knowledge, skills and lifetime experience standpoint.  Strive for
considering multiple viewpoints when solving challenges and creating
new designs.

·      Identify and manage project risks, including implementing

mitigation plans to either prevent the occurrence or impact of your top
risks. Ensure you have adequate project resources in reserve to handle
any risks that are realized. Identify opportunities and drive to make
those a reality. 

·      Have a process to manage issues as they arise including tracking

your issues, assigning resources and driving for issue closure.

·      Prior to the start of your design work, thoroughly identify the

requirements for your project using multiple information sources
(especially via your project sponsor and end users). Ensure you have
verifiable specifications identified for each requirement and a plan to
demonstrate that your design meets all defined requirements. 
·      Manage major changes to the project plan and requirements
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including understanding the impacts of any proposed change on your
project costs and schedule (before you commit to the change).

·      Ensure a high level of regular communications among the team

and with the customer. Use weekly progress reports with a defined
format, and fully document your project plan. requirements and
assumptions. Develop common content management aids such as a part
numbering scheme, document file naming conventions, and standard
templates for drawings and presentations. 

·      Employ design brainstorming tools including collaborative

sketches, conduct system and component trade studies, and strive for
early prototyping and testing. 

·      Plan your procurement of materials well ahead of your need dates,

and ensure you are buying from a reputable source.

·      Promote the sharing of knowledge, enable in-person conversations,

create an environment that encourages asking for help, conduct peer
reviews, and enable a high level of collaboration on your project.  

·      Reinforce with you team that everyone should "own their quality"
– in every product they produce as well as daily tasks including crafting
emails.

·      Build team spirit and team identity, including hosting regular fun
team events.

·      Stick to it, even in challenging times and celebrate success.

There is no doubt that applying these best practices requires hard work
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throughout the project. That level of effort is sometimes complained
about at the early stages of a project, but always celebrated at the
project completion due to a tremendous sense of accomplishment by
both the team members and customers.

Dr. Scott Shaffar

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Scott Shaffar 1 article Following
Engineering Design Program Leader
Published • 1y

Following the completion of 30 engineering design projects supported by 180 engineers, I

assembled a list of "best practices" that enabled successful results.

#engineeringdesign #mechanicalengineering #projectmanagement #systemsengineering

#sdsu

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Mike Kelly •
3rd+ 1y
Sustainment Operations Director, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®. Experienced
Aerospace and Defense leader, collaborator, innovator, and teacher.

Scott--Great list!  Thanks for sharing.

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Scott Shaffar
Engineering Design Program Leader

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