Project Selection and Needs Identification

updated: 8/30/2010

Good Projects

Discover or create something new:

• Technology evaluation.

• Applied Research.

• Fundamental Research

Sources of Project Ideas

• Industry sponsorship• Sponsored Design competitions

– http://www.circuitcellar.com/contests/ • www.FreeRandD.com• NASA Exploration System Mission Directorate

Higher Education Project:– http://education.ksc.nasa.gov/esmdspacegrant/Sr_De

sign.htm

• Campus and local community– Osborn Preserve

• Keep Brainstorming………..

Project Selection• What are you trying to do? Articulate your goals using absolutely

no jargon.

• How is it done today, and what are the limitations of current practice?

• What is new in your approach, and why do you think it will be successful?

• Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make?

• What are the risks and payoffs?

• How much will it cost? How long will it take?

• What are the midterm and final exams' to check for success?

Complete description of AHP! Analytical Hierarchy Process

Project Selection Criteria – Creating AHP Model

• Determine the selection criteria– Your interests; technical complexity; creativity;

innovation; marketing potential; etc.

• Determine the weighting for each criteria

• Create the AHP

• Review the scores and adjust as needed!

Analytical Hierarchy ProcessBuilding a Decision Matrix

Analytical Hierarchy Process

• Selection Criteria– Cost – Safety– Design – Brand name

• Possible Selections– Honda CRV ($21)– Hyundai Tucson ($18K)– Toyota RAV4 ($22K)

Car Selection

Analytical Hierarchy ProcessCar Selection

• Scaling for comparing selection criteria: – 1 = equal

– 3 = Moderate

– 5 = Strong

– 7 = Very Strong

– 9 = Extreme

• Comparison of the selection criteria

Cost is three times more important than

design

Analytical Hierarchy ProcessCar Selection

• Scaling for comparing selection criteria: – 1 = equal

– 3 = Moderate

– 5 = Strong

– 7 = Very Strong

– 9 = Extreme

• Comparison of the selection criteriaPower(21,1/4)

2.1/5.7=0.37

Analytical Hierarchy ProcessCar Selection

• Scaling for comparing selection criteria: – 1 = equal

– 3 = Moderate

– 5 = Strong

– 7 = Very Strong

– 9 = Extreme

• Comparison of the selection criteriaPower(21,1/4)

2.1/5.7=0.37

Total=5.7

Total=1

Car Selection - Cost Criteria

• Possible Selections– Honda CRV ($21)– Hyundai Tucson ($18K)– Toyota RAV4 ($22K)

= min(cost)/cost – Honda CRV = 0.86 – Hyundai Tucson = 1 – Toyota RAV4 = 0.82 Total is about 2.69

• Normalized – Honda CRV = 0.32 (= 0.86/2.69)– Hyundai Tucson = 0.37 – Toyota RAV4 = 0.31

Car Selection - Safety Criteria

• Possible Selections– Honda CRV ($21)– Hyundai Tucson ($18K)– Toyota RAV4 ($22K)

• Using www.safecar.gov (5-point scale)– Honda CRV = 4.8– Hyundai Tucson = 4.8 – Toyota RAV4 = 4.6

• Normalized – Honda CRV = 0.34 (= 4.8/14.2)– Hyundai Tucson = 0.34 – Toyota RAV4 = 0.32

Design and Brand Name Criteria

1 = Does not meet criterion; 5 = partially meets criterion; 9 = completely meets criterion

Honda Hyundai Toyota Geometric Mean Design Rating

Honda 1 0.333333 0.2 0.405480133 0.10945229

Hyundai 3 1 0.5 1.144714243 0.308995644

Toyota 5 2 1 2.15443469 0.581552067

Sum 3.704629066 1

Design and Brand Name Criteria

1 = Does not meet criterion; 5 = partially meets criterion; 9 = completely meets criterion

Analytical Hierarchy Process – Car selection

Sum = 1

Not much difference between different selections RAV4 happens to have the highest score The scores can be different depending on individual ratings What happens if COST is the most important criterion?

Assignment• List five favorite technologies or engineering subjects that you are interested

in pursuing. Write 2-3 sentences about different applications your are considering for each technology.

• As a team agree on five favorite technologies or engineering subjects that you are interested in pursuing. Write 2-3 sentences about different applications your are considering for each technology. Submit a hardcopy. Each group member must be prepared to elaborate on the final decision.

• Repeat the same Analytical Hierarchy Process for Car selection but include operating cost (Fuel and insurance) and assume design style is divided into Interior and Exterior. Use excel. Have all your tables on different tabs

• As a group discuss your Analytical Hierarchy Process for Car selection and come up with a final decision matrix. Each group member must be prepared to elaborate on the final decision.