Vocabulary Vault
This is a working model used to test a design concept by making observations and necessary adjustments.
What is a Prototype?
This is the very first step of the design process where you identify the "needs and wants" of stakeholders.
What is Define the Problem?
This written plan identifies the problem to be solved, along with the criteria and constraints.
What is a Design Brief?
True or False: The design process is a straight line that starts at Step 1 and ends perfectly at Step 6.
What is False?
This term describes a process that repeats a series of steps over and over until the desired outcome is obtained.
What is Iterative?
During this step, you might use a "Decision Matrix" to narrow down your brainstormed ideas.
What is Generate Concepts?
This tool is used to compare conceptual design solutions against one another using specific criteria.
What is a Decision Matrix?
If your prototype fails a durability test, you should move to this step to reflect and recommend improvements.
What is Evaluate the Solution (Step 5)?
This is an individual, group, or organization who may affect or be affected by the outcome of a project.
Who is a Stakeholder?
If a designer finds that their solution is invalid or cannot be justified, they must do this.
What is return to a previous step in the design process (iterate)?
This type of model provides technical information like dimensions and clear details needed to build a product.
What is a Graphical Model?
Designers do this to "narrow down" many possible solutions to one final choice.
What is the Design Process?
To prove a problem is "valid," a designer must provide these to show that other credible sources agree it is a problem.
What are properly referenced/credible sources?
These three specific steps typically overlap because the process is iterative.
What are Steps 3, 4, and 5 (Develop, Construct/Test, and Evaluate)?
All work, notes, and deliverables related to the design process should be carefully documented in this specific place.
What is the PLTW Engineering Notebook?
If the technology necessary to solve a problem does not exist yet, this may be necessary before a solution can be pursued.
What is scientific research?
A problem is considered "justifiable" only if the effort to solve it is warranted based on these two specific factors.
What are need and cost?
This is the final step, where a Project Portfolio is used to communicate findings to an audience.
What is Present the Solution?
This deliverable includes the actual data and analysis collected during the prototyping phase.
What is a Test Report?
This is the primary reason Project Lead The Way uses a single, clearly defined design process for all students.
To provide a basis for understanding across different technical fields.