MEEG401 Performance Criteria - PHASE 1 & 2 Synthesized for 10/5 & 7 Reviews
Reference: Phase 1 & 2 Detailed Evaluation Sheets on the following two pages
Design Synthesis: A feasible commercial system design concept was developed at the overall
system level and/or at various sub-system levels, based on the project sponsor’s business goals and
specific requirements; and a compelling case was made that the concept was the best among viable
alternatives from the standpoint of:
- Potential satisfaction of Sponsor’s requirements, and performance/cost metrics derived from them
- Benchmark comparison with, and maximum integration of, current technology that was researched
- Application of engineering based analysis, and decision making
Resource Management: It was evident that the project was proceeding as planned, and that a
viable path forward plan to was developed to design, build, and testing of a prototype system to
demonstrate attainment of targeted performance/cost goals . Viability of the plan was established via
inclusion of the following elements:
- Task/time elements with project specificity
- Extended team resource allocation
- Critical path analysis, including contingency plans in areas of technical or resource/time uncertainty
- Cost estimate of prototype approved by sponsor (purchase of: fabricated components; materials; and
equipment)
Communication: The above was presented in a clear, concise, and professional manner; and it was
evident from the material presented, and the post review dialog with the advisor team, that the team
had maintained a high level of continuous communication with their sponsors, and other resources.
Glossary:
FYI:
UD definitions:
A = excellent
B = good
C = fair
D = poor
my expansion for senior design:
100, A+ = perfect
95, A = excellent
90, A/B = very good
85, B = good
80, B/C = OK
75, C = average
70, C/D = weak
65, D = poor
60, D/F = awful/lousy/stinks
<60, F = not acceptable
MEEG401 Performance Criteria - PHASE 1, Project Requirements & Scope
Dimension
Summary
Detailed
% of
Phase
Grade
Design Synthesis
Articulated the business need
and project benefits/value.
Defined a project scope that can
be accomplished with available
resources and that aligns with
the sponsor’s goal.
Resource Use
Effectiveness
Developed ‘first-cut’ project
execution plan in conjunction
with scope requirements,
including
consideration of broad project
steps and resource utilization
given time constraints of the
course.
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




Determined relevant customer(s)/partner(s) and their goal(s) for the project.
Worked closely with sponsor to define project scope to a degree that all constituents are satisfied.
Derived appropriate wants/needs/constraints, and
Developed key performance/cost measures (metrics) that define business success for you sponsor; and
Set appropriate ‘current state’ and future ‘target values’ for key performance/cost measures.
Developed and articulated a business/engineering basis for the above structure , including
an understanding of the hierarchical and cause – effect relationship of the above
wants/metrics variables.
 Initiated background research and began benchmarking competitive and applicable technology.
 Demonstrated technical competence for all key project aspects.
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 Completed the above design-synthesis phase results on time.
 Functioned as a team:
o finalized the team resume and reviewed with sponsor and advisor,
o professionally executed a peer review, and through interaction with advisor, etc.,
moved forward as a team; taking corrective action(s) as needed.
 Developed initial plan for resources ($; people; equipment; etc ) and their task-time allocations.
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 Contacted sponsor immediately and began intensive interaction.
 Demonstrated continuous communication:
o via regular contact with sponsor,
o via weekly updates/meetings with advisor,
o via initiation & then regular use of online logbook.
 Communicated clearly and professionally with advisor and sponsor (written & oral means).
 Developed team norms to facilitate team communication; and justify objective peer evals.
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Communication
Demonstrated continuous
communication between all
team members, advisor, and
sponsor.
All interactions were timely &
were conducted professionally.
MEEG401 Performance Criteria - PHASE 2, Concept Generation/Selection & Project Plan
Dimension
Design Synthesis
Summary
Developed a feasible design
concept that was justifiably best
among viable alternatives - both
at the overall system level and
at various sub-system levels (as
appropriate).
Detailed
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
Updated, as necessary, project requirements/scope - given new/better project information.
Continued and targeted background research on required key sciences/technologies.
Presented viable (different) concepts focused upon the key performance functions.
Benchmarked best practices for functionalities that are relevant to viable concepts.
Developed key performance measures for viable concepts.
Used engineering evidence to present the ‘best’ path-forward concept.
% of
Phase
Grade
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Articulated a project plan that
demonstrates senior-design
project completion appears to
be attainable.
Resource Use
Effectiveness
Reviewed progress-to-date and
presented project-specific
details of the plan; that is,
identified resources (people,
time, equipment, etc.) and set
of project-specific milestones
that are clearly aligned with
completing a senior-design
prototype that satisfies project
goal.
 Completed above design-synthesis phase results on time.
 Functioned as a team:
o professionally executed a peer review, and through interaction with advisor, etc.,
o moved forward as a team; taking corrective action(s) as needed.
 Developed project-specific task/time (Gantt) chart identifying critical milestones.
 Integrated needed resources considering extended team (sponsor + UD + contacts).
 Identified any critical ‘long lead’ items and have under control.
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Developed complete cost
estimate for envisioned proofof-concept prototype.
Communication
Demonstrated continuous
communication between all
team members, advisor, and
sponsor.
All interactions were timely &
were conducted professionally.
 Demonstrated continuous communication:
o via regular contact with sponsor,
o via weekly updates/meetings with advisor,
o via regular use of online logbook.
 Communicated clearly and professionally with advisor and sponsor (written & oral means):
o presentations were clear (using appropriate visuals) and concise,
o formal presentations were professionally delivered,
o responses during question & answer dialog were professional and to the point.
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