Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Unit 4 help guide
The Major Project Unit 4(Syst4) is a vital piece of coursework worth 50 % of the A2
level. It is therefore crucial that the work is completed to the highest possible
standard. This help guide is designed to aid students with the selection of their
project and the page layouts and content. It is designed as a guide and therefore
students wishing to gain the high grades will be required to add their own extension
work.
The recommended time allocation is 60 hours to complete the project.
Project selection:
Student are able undertake any problem that they see fits the requirements of the
examination. The complexity of the project should be higher than that of the AS
project, and more skills should be seen throughout the folio.
The project must solve a problem.
Students can chose any area they wish to base the project on but these are a few
pointers into how to select correctly:
1. Chose a project area that you are interested in, you will be spending 60
hours on the work and if you don’t find it interesting from the start you will
soon lose interest.
2. Chose an area that you have some knowledge about, it will take too long for
you to research into areas that are new to you.
3. It is not the intention of the project that you create/invent a new product for
the market, you can modify/improve on existing solutions to current
problems.
4. Don’t make it too complicated; it is proven that simple circuits built well and
finished correctly get the same if not more than complex ones that take
longer to make and are difficult to problem solve, or do not work.
5. You are able to do the same project as other people, although it must be
different!
6. The project must have a realistic time frame; you have a set period of time
in order to complete it, so make it realistic.
7. You will need to do an external evaluation using a 3rd party; therefore it may
be useful to know someone within this field.
8. Below is a list of some of the A2 projects completed in the past:
a. Intelligent juggling balls
b. Interactive toys
c. Roaming vehicles
d. Rifle range aids
e. Laser security devices
f. Sporting aids
g. Security devices
h. Electronic locking systems
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Summary of Assessment Criteria:
Assessment Criteria
1. Context and objectives
2. Plan of action and clarification of problem
3. Development of a design proposal
4. Manufacture/making
5. Conclusions, evaluations and
recommendations
6. Communication and presentation
7. Total
Fig 1.2
AO1
Designing
AO2
Making
5
6
26
2
Maximum
mark
allocations
8
26
4
5
8
26
26
12
6
51
2
34
8
85
Allocation of Marks:
Marks are awarded in each section for the detail and completion of the work. They
are also split into A01 Designing and A02 Making, the weighting of these are shown
within the table fig 1.2
Assessment methods:
This unit is centre assessed, and as such will be marked by Mr Rock. Sample work
is then sent off to be moderated by AQA.
Marking Criteria:
To achieve an A grade in each section the following points must be met:
Context and objectives:
5 mark
 Detailed and perceptive understanding of the context which is used to
determine the objectives of the design and manufacture activity.
Plan of action and clarification of problem:
8 marks
 A detailed and realistic plan of action to meet stated objectives
 Use an extensive range of appropriate investigative techniques, including
practical activities, where relevant. This may be a feasibility study.
 Perceptive analysis of gathered information
 A comprehensive, well reasoned and explained design specification taking
into account research information gathered.
Development of a design proposal:
26 marks
 Comprehensive, imaginative and feasible ideas
 Viable solution (prototype, system or product) achieved with due
consideration of available materials, technologies and manufacturing
methods, some relevant sub-systems identified.
 Design decisions fully explained
 Comprehensive and detailed plan of manufacture, with the ability to adapt in
the light of changing circumstances.
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Manufacture/Making:
26 marks
 High standard of manufacture/modelling using appropriate methods,
technologies and materials and using a wide range of skills that demonstrate
a high level of accuracy
 Demonstrates and applies a thorough understanding of industrial practices
 Evidence of appropriate health and safety and quality control checks through
out the making process to ensure consistency
 Outcome satisfies all major points of the specification
Conclusions evaluation and recommendation:
12 marks
 A critical analysis of the design process and final outcome
 Comprehensive testing strategies throughout the work including, where
relevant, comments of others and considerations of industrial practices, used
to make perceptive and critical judgments
 Comments of others used appropriately to develop the prototype, system or
product to improve the effectiveness of the final outcome
Communication and presentation:
8 marks
 Excellent level of communication and presentation, including competent use
of appropriate technical language
 Excellent wide range of appropriate materials, techniques and media used to
convey details of design and making
 Complex ideas expressed extremely clearly and fluently in a structured and
relevant way with few , if any, errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling
Andrew Rock
Sec 1
Sec 2
Sec 3
Sec 4
Sec 5
CRF
Andrew Rock
29 April 2013
22 April 2013
15 April 2013
08 April 2013
01 April 2013
25 March 2013
18 March 2013
11 March 2013
04 March 2013
25 February 2013
18 February 2013
11 February 2013
04 February 2013
28 January 2013
21 January 2013
14 January 2013
07 January 2013
31 December 2012
24 December 2012
17 December 2012
10 December 2012
03 December 2012
26 November 2012
19 November 2012
12 November 2012
05 November 2012
29 October 2012
22 October 2012
15 October 2012
08 October 2012
01 October 2012
24 September 2012
17 September 2012
03 September 2012
10 September 2012
Week Beginning
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Time frame for project:
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
A2 Project Check List
Page title
Self Check
Staff signed off
Section 1 Title: Context and Objectives 5 marks
The problem and justification of
problem
Aims and objectives of the project
Section 2 Title: Plan of action and clarification of problem 8 Marks
Project plan
Investigation into the problem
Analysis of information
Plan of action
Product Specification
Section 3 Title: Development of a design proposal 26 Marks
Initial designing
 Aesthetics
 System
Development of systems
Modelling of design proposal
 Aesthetics
 System
Explanation and justification of
decisions made
CAD modelling of prototype
Engineering drawings
Final design presentation
 Prototype Aesthetics
 Prototype System
Section 4 Title: Manufacture/modelling 26 Marks
Quality control checks
Initial check against the spec
Application of industrial practices
Evidence of manufacture
Final prototype photos and videos
Section 5 Title: Conclusion, evaluation and recommendations 12 marks
Modifications made throughout the
manufacture
Critical analysis (SWOT)
Prototype testing (physical)
Prototype testing against the spec
3rd party evaluation of prototype
Future progression
Project page breakdown:
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Section 1 (5): Context and Objectives:
Problem page:
 Highlight the problem and the market group/s involved.
 Discussion into the context of the problem should be evident
 There should be no mention of the solution anywhere on this page or even
this section.
 Problem should be correctly justified using examples.
Aims and Objectives:
 This should list what the student is hoping to achieve at different stages
throughout the project.
o Overall aim of the project
o What objectives are set to be completed
o How do you measure the completion of the objective throughout the
project?
o Consider both design objectives and manufacturing objectives
Section 2 (8): Plan of action and clarification of problem:
Project plan:
 Gantt chart showing all the stages of the design, manufacturing and
evaluation processes allocating time periods to each.
Investigation into the problem:
 A detailed look at the problem and any areas that will require investigating
i.e. light levels in a potential divider circuit for operating a line follower. This
should take the form of a practical investigation as well as a search for
existing solutions. This would also include any Moral, Social and
Environmental issues that may occur during the prototypes design,
manufacture or usage
 Analysis of information
Plan of Action
 Plan of action identifying how each objective will be approached, specifying
research, (primary and secondary) trials, interviews etc., when you intend to
do them and what you hope to achieve from them
Moral, Social and Environmental issues:
 A breakdown of the M.S.E issues that the problem encounters with regards
to:
o Market group (consumers)
o Market group (purchasers)
o Retail outlets
o Wider market groups
Client needs/market trend and demands:
 Detailed look at the client and what needs they have with regards to the
prototype i.e. costs, production methods, change in fashions and consumer
requirements etc.
 Detailed look at the market group (consumer) and the trends that occur
throughout a period of time with regards to the product type.
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4
Product Specification:
 Detailed and justified product specification with at least 3 points on each of
the following:
o Background information
o Scope for the specification
o Relevant authorities to be consulted
o Performance
o Ergonomics and anthropometrics
o Aesthetics
o Materials
o Quantity of production
o Manufacturing
o Maintenance
o Product life cycle
o Safety
o Testing
o Packaging
o Product costs
o Timescale
Include some measurable parameters where possible
Researching the Specification:
 Take relevant points within the Specification and conduct experiments to
find out if the proposal is valid or achievable. At least 3 points should be
investigated, i.e. working out the resistance value of a thermistor at 120oC,
or testing the water resistance of different materials.
 Update your specification in the light of developments and conclusions from
research/trials, justifying these changes
Section 3 (26): Development of a design proposal:
Initial designs:
 Aesthetics:
o Design pages showing the development from initial design to final
design.
o Pages must show a progression and development within the design.
o Different techniques should be used throughout to highlight thinking
process.

Systems:
o A breakdown of the systems into their Input/Process/output/feedback
components, with full investigation into each area.
o Each area must contain at least two methods of achieving the overall
goal.
Development of a system:
 Compiling all the subsystems into a final set of circuit drawings; also details
of the development of PCB.
Modelling of the design proposal:
 Aesthetics:
o Evidence of 2d and 3d modelling using different media; foam, CAD,
cardboard etc.
o Use of modelling for both aesthetics and ergonomics.
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4

Systems:
o Evidence of bread boarding and computer simulation for the circuit.
o Testing the components in the correct environment.
Explanation and justification of decisions made:
 An analysis of all the choices made throughout the design process with
regards to the aesthetics and the system design.
 Clear justification on the decisions made relating to the specification.
CAD modelling:
 CAD images of the prototype design with exploded views and product within
it’s environment.
 Animated footage of the CAD image.
Engineering drawings:
 An engineering drawing produced for all parts of the prototype, with
dimensions and tolerances.
Final design presentations:
 Aesthetics:
o Presentation of design proposal using 2d and 3d methods; must
communicate clearly your thoughts and intentions for the product.
Display board.

System:
 Presentation of the proposed system to be used, showing all the
workings for the calculations; must be presented clearly showing all
the working aspects of the design. Display board.
Plan of Manufacture:
 Plan of manufacture showing all the stages used to make the product and
the system.
 Emphasis on the Risk assessment and Health and Safety required.
 Emphasis on the Quality Control aspects of the manufacture. (strong
requirement for this, will be used later in Section 4).
 Planned QC checks should be detailed, specific and evident for all key subsystems, assembly and system
Section 4 (26) Manufacture/Modelling:
Quality control checks:
 Check sheet containing all the points mentioned through the plan of
manufacture referencing the QC.
 To be used in the workshop whilst manufacturing the prototype.
 Hard copy only, to be located within section 2.
Initial checks against the Specification:
 Simple table of the Specification points taken from section 1, during
manufacture once one is achieved it is dated and signed off.
 If it is not achieved then reasoning and action plan should be drawn up for
modifications.
Application of Industrial Practices:
Andrew Rock
Design and Technology: Systems and Control unit 4

Look at the processes that are being employed to manufacture the
prototype, and modify at least one so that it is manufactured using an
industrial process.
Evidence of manufacture:
 Collection of photos of the manufacturing process of the prototype, showing
all the major processes undertaken. Including and Health and Safety points.
Final prototype pictures:
 Final prototype in the environment and shown to be working, through
photos or video footage.
Section 5 (12) Conclusion, Evaluation and recommendations:
Modifications made throughout the manufacture:
 Any changes and modifications that have been made to either the aesthetics
of the system throughout the manufacturing stage must be acknowledged.
 Any changes that are not mentioned will cause you to loose marks due to
deviations from the original design.
Critical Analysis:
 An analysis of the project investigating the Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats that have been encountered throughout the
project.
Prototype Testing:
 The Prototype must be tested in the environment that it was designed for.
 Evidence through photos or video of the product functioning as required is
essential.
 Testing of the material used in the manufacture is also required.
 Tests of strength and durability may also be employed.
Prototype testing against the specification:
 State whether each point within the product specification has been achieved.
 If it has not been achieved, details into why should be evident.
3rd part evaluation of prototype:
 The 3rd party, either the purchaser or the consumer should evaluate the
product against selected specification points.
 Overall comment on the suitability of the prototype should be mentioned.
Future progression:
 Where can the prototype go from here?
o Future progression/development
o More testing
o Etc
Andrew Rock