Considerations for Sustainability and Transferable Skills

Author: Dr Melusine Pigeon

Sustainability considerations

In this project week, there is no new knowledge on sustainability skills, but you have the opportunity to claim the “E-waste” skills at application level. All the different projects are relevant for you to discuss this topic in your portfolio.

Transferable skills considerations

Group Presentation

In this project week, you have the opportunity to claim the “Group Presentation” skill at knowledge level. To claim this skill, you must add a link to the recording of your group presentation in your e-portfolio. The video should clearly show all the members of the group.

In addition, the presentation should include:

  • A content page.
  • Sufficient information for the purpose of the presentation but:
  • Concise or bullet point text only.
  • Labelled graphs.
  • Numbered slides
  • Fit in the allotted time. You can find relevant information to create this group presentation in the lecture about “Group presentation” of week 21 on Moodle.

Design and Development Process

In this project week, you have the opportunity to claim the “Design and development processes” skill at knowledge level. To claim this skill, you must include a section entitled “Design and Development Process”. This section needs to include the Design and Development Matrix completed for the columns of:

  • The user needs.
  • The target specifications.

User Needs:

The user needs are things that people need from the device/product designed. The user needs could include:

  • Functionalities
  • Performances
  • Time
  • Cost
  • Social consideration
  • Aesthetics
  • Usability – how your user will use the product.

The user needs are concisely defined and justified.

Target Specifications

Target specifications translate user needs in metrics either technical or functional. Target specifications are l inked to a user need. There could be more than one target specification per user need. Target specifications are specific (when possible). It means there is a measurable value associated to it and a tolerance (in %). Target specifications are defined and justified. You can find more information and examples about how to create the Design and Development Matrix in the lecture about “Design and Development Process” of week 22 on Moodle.

Risk Assessment

In this project week, you have the opportunity to claim the “Risk assessment” skill at knowledge level. To claim this skill, you must include a risk assessment matrix, and a list of properly assessed risks in a section entitled “Risk Assessment”.

Risk Assessment Matrix

The risk assessment matrix gathers information on how the risk is assessed in your project. It gathers the severity scale horizontally (A), the periodicity scale vertically (B) and in the cross over cells a multiplication of both scales (A*B). The cells are then coloured based on the risk rating bands definition. The risk rating bands, or acceptance scale describes the level of acceptable risk for the project.

### Risk List You should also include a list of your risks and assess and rank them. In a table, you should then:

  • Describe the risk.
  • Describe who could be affected by the risk – optional.
  • Describe existing controls and measures.
  • Define the severity level.
  • Define the periodicity level.
  • Calculate the combine risk of severity * periodicity.
  • Colour the cell respectively to the risk assessment matrix. The risk can then be ranked by their combined risk rating or colour. You can find relevant information and examples to create the risk assessment matrix and the risks list in the lecture about “Risk Assessment (periodicity/severity)” of week 22 on Moodle.

Investigation Skills

(Dr Leen Jabban)

This project week is an opportunity for you to claim the Investigation skills Referencing & Avoiding Plagiarism and Online and Library Research at the knowledge level.

Objective: To conduct comprehensive research that supports the development of the project, ensuring academic and professional integrity through the correct use of sources.

Task Overview:

Your task involves conducting detailed research and documenting your findings while adhering to the IEEE referencing system. This process will demonstrate your ability to gather, analyse, and cite a diverse range of sources, thereby underpinning your project with informed decisions and a solid knowledge foundation.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Initiate Research: Define the scope and objectives of your research. Identify key concepts and terms that will guide your research efforts.

  2. Gather Sources: Following the instructions given in the lecture on library research (week 21), use suitable resources to collect a diverse array of sources, including academic journals, conference papers, technical reports, and reputable online resources. Ensure you select at least six timely and relevant references that significantly contribute to your project.

  3. Document and Evaluate Sources: Keep a detailed record of your search strategies and the sources you find. Critically assess each source for its credibility, relevance, and contribution to your project. Only select those that offer valuable insights and information.

  4. Incorporate IEEE Referencing: As you integrate insights and data from your sources into your project, cite them appropriately using the IEEE referencing style. Insert citations at relevant points in your text, and maintain a numbered reference list in the order of appearance.

  5. Compile Your Work: Reflect on the research process and its impact on your project. Optional: consider discussing how the selected sources influenced your approach and any challenges you encountered in finding or using information.

Other

In this project week, you also have the opportunity to claim the “Problem solving”, “Effective project management”, the “Effective teamwork” and the “Time management” skills at application level. This project is relevant for you to include all those topics in your project week management and ultimately in your portfolio.

Citations