L6 - Benchmarking, Design Criteria & Specifications

Question 1

What is a Metric?

Answer 1

• Metrics are a list of measurable attributes you want your solution to have (i.e., weight,
  size, speed, impact resistance, etc.)
• Metrics have readily identifiable units of measure
• Metrics can be used to measure solution performance
• Metrics are obtained from:
  – Functional design criteria (“Musts” and “Wants”)
  – Benchmarking (competition doing?)
  Metrics are functional design criteria that be measured (qualitatively or quantitatively)

Question 2

Engineering Design Specifications - Target Specifications

Answer 2

Target Specifications are numerical values based on defined metrics desired of
potential solutions

Question 3

Engineering Design Specifications

Answer 3

• Create a list of Design Criteria based on interpreted user needs
• Do product (Technical) Benchmarking
  – Look at other products that satisfy some/all needs
  – Gather data about those products
• Set Target Specifications:
  – Set values considered to be ideal
  – Set values considered to be acceptable

Question 4

Translating Needs to ____

Answer 4

Design Criteria for evaluating solutions

Question 5

Design Criterion allow us to …

Answer 5

evaluate different solutions.

Question 6

What are Design Criteria?

Answer 6

• A precise description of what the product has to be based on
  interpreted needs, also called:
  – “Requirements”
  – “Characteristics”
• Functional Requirements: Design criteria that affect the solution’s “function” (if measurable, then also a metric)
• Non-Functional Requirements: Are design criteria that do not affect the “function” of the solution
• Constraints: Set of important considerations that must be taken into account in your design

Question 6

Benchmarking types:

Answer 6

1. Technical Benchmarking (functional)
2. User Benchmarking (non-functional ie. ease of use,

Question 6

Translate these needs into a design criteria:
1-The stretcher can be controlled
2-The stretcher is easy to stop
3-The stretcher is capable of stopping when out of control
4-The stretcher is low cost
5-The stretcher is light weight
6- Compact in size when stored
7-Compact in size when carried up the hill

Answer 6

1-Weight (lbs)
Steering control
Stretcher shape
2-Stopping distance (ft)
Gradient braking
3-Fail-safe braking
4-Cost ($)
5-Weight (lbs)
6- Collapsed volume (in3)
7-Maximum length (in)
Maximum width (in)

Question 7

Two kinds of benchmarking data:

Answer 7

– Benchmarking competitive products in terms of customers’ perceptions (User Benchmarking)
– Benchmarking competitive products in terms of technical performance (Technical Benchmarking)

Question 8

_______ Benchmarking:
– Internet Search (product specifications)
– Purchase and reverse-engineer competitors’ products
– Other?

Answer 8

Technical

Question 9

______ Benchmarking:
– Review “similar” users or users for “similar” products
– Ideally, you would get feedback from “early adopter” types of users (or,
directly, from your own test users)
– Internet Search (Amazon reviews, blogs)
– Other?

Answer 9

User

Question 10

Provide possible specification for benchmarking a toboggan:

Answer 10

Company
Cost
Weight
Tub Material
Tub Shape
Stored Size
Deployed Size
Braking System
Failsafe
Steering Assistance

Question 11

How can we determine the best specifications among various competitor products?

Answer 11

• Evaluate each spec and see which ones are “better” on a scale of 1-3 (3 = green, 2 = yellow, 1 = red)
• Better specs will depend on your user needs and priorities
• Multiply the weight of each spec with its value
• Add them together for each existing product as an overall product specification
• Compare the 3 existing products
• This comparison is a SUBJECTIVE answer based on OUR choice of importance

Question 12

From the list of design criteria and based on benchmarking, set target
specifications by ______ and ________.

Answer 12

defining ideal and acceptable values

Question 13

Engineering Design Specifications (EDS) Template will display columns/rows of:

Answer 13

Design Specifications (Functional Requirements, Constraints, Non-Functional Requirements)
Relation (=, < or >)
Value
Units
Verification Method

Question 13

what type of design specification do these fall under: (from ski-hill rescue device case study)

Aesthetics
Product life
Corrosion and UV resistance
Safety: minimal pinch points
Safety: ability to use gloves
Reliability

Answer 13

Non-Functional Requirements

Question 14

Once problem has been identified, next step is to develop ___________

which are based on __________

it should include 1)___ 2)___ 3)___

If _____ can be represented using units of measure, then they are metrics

Answer 14

a set of design criteria

the user needs & benchmarking of the
competition

functional requirements
non-functional requirements
constraints

functional requirements

Question 15

what type of design specification do these fall under: (from ski-hill rescue device case study)

Transport a person across snowy terrain
Weight supported
Fail-safe braking
Gradient braking
Quick set-up time
Stability (stretcher shape)

Answer 15

Functional Requirements

Question 16

what type of design specification do these fall under: (from ski-hill rescue device case study)

Weight
Cost
Size when deployed
Size when collapsed
Operating conditions: temperature
Operating conditions: snow, ice and
slush

Answer 16

Constraints