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 Process
Building a Decision Matrix
Analytical Hierarchy Process
Car Selection
• Selection Criteria
–
–
–
–
Cost
Safety
Design
Brand name
• Possible Selections
– Honda CRV ($21)
– Hyundai Tucson ($18K)
– Toyota RAV4 ($22K)
Analytical Hierarchy Process
Car 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 Process
Car Selection
• Scaling for comparing selection criteria:
–
–
–
–
–
1 = equal
3 = Moderate
5 = Strong
7 = Very Strong
9 = Extreme
Power(21,1/4)
• Comparison of the selection criteria
2.1/5.7=0.37
Analytical Hierarchy Process
Car Selection
• Scaling for comparing selection criteria:
–
–
–
–
–
1 = equal
3 = Moderate
5 = Strong
7 = Very Strong
9 = Extreme
Power(21,1/4)
• Comparison of the selection criteria
Total=5.7
2.1/5.7=0.37
Total=1
Car Selection - Cost Criteria
• Possible Selections
– Honda CRV ($21)
– Hyundai Tucson ($18K)
– Toyota RAV4 ($22K)
 a = min(cost)/cost
–
–
–
–
Honda CRV = 0.86
Hyundai Tucson = 1
Toyota RAV4 = 0.82
 Total is about 2.69
• Normalized a
– 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 a
– Honda CRV = 0.34 (= 4.8/14.2)
– Hyundai Tucson = 0.34
– Toyota RAV4 = 0.32
Design and Brand Name Criteria
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
3.704629066
1
Sum
1 = Does not meet criterion; 5 = partially meets criterion; 9 = completely meets criterion
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.
•