for COEN/ELEC 390
Objectives of
Presentation
How to Achieve Them
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To persuade the viewer that:
◦ Technically, the proposal is solid
◦ Managerially, we have a plan
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Solid proposal means:
◦ We understand your requirements (problem)
◦ Our design meets/exceeds them (solution)
◦ Its implementation is feasible
(not too complex)

We have a plan means:
◦ We understand what building it means (WBS)
◦ We have a detailed plan to deliver
(Chart)
◦ We have the resources required by this plan (Resources)
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Fill the time-slot
Rehash the written proposal
Impress with artwork
Explain technical details
Apportion time stupidly
Look like losers
Take more time than allowed
Bore people to death
Talk inaudibly
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To get someone else to adopt your point of
view, and that is not an easy thing. Use EAAR
1. Empathy: try and see it from the other
point of view
2. Argument: present a fact-based logical
case
3. Art: make it aesthetically pleasing
4. Repetition: re-assert the main points
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There is Life
on Mars
We have the
Best Design
It is a living
organism
These are all
the designs
It is
indigenous to
Mars
This is the
criteria of
evaluation
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
Technically solid means, your
characterization of the problem, your
portrayal of the solution and the work needed
to implement it is:
◦ Complete
◦ Correct
◦ Clear
(but not completely detailed)
(without using formal logic)
(so viewers can follow it)
◦ Gaps degrade confidence
◦ Errors reflect unprofessionalism
◦ Complexity heightens risk
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
In terms of content (for your robot), it means:
◦ Overall idea
◦ Mechanical Design
◦ Computational Ctrl.
◦ Electrical Circuitry
(STD of a FSM)
(AutoCAD)
(Algorithm)
(Block Diagram)
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I understand the Requirements, I have a
solid Design, which is technically Feasible
My presentation is Clear, Correct and
Complete
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We know exactly what building it entails
We know how much person-hours each task
should take
.. And the relationship between tasks
We have identified/located/secured the
resources to execute them (task 1.1: PC+1
person-hour)
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And, the implementation plan will be carried out by
a competent harmonious team. Hence,

Express confidently what each of you are good at
and how these skills are:
◦ Appropriate for the tasks assigned
◦ Complement each other, i.e., cover all tasks
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Use your track record – to date – to show that
your expectations were met in reality
Your whole team believes in the project
And have committed the time to see it happen
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Plan Elements
Implementation Tasks
Material Resources
Team Features
Tasks
What they entail and how they depend on each other
Resources
Material (Place, Tools, Parts)
Labour (Person-Hours)
Team
Appropriate, Complementary, Proven (so far)
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
http://banknerd.ca/2009/10/14/ally-banktv-commercials/
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
To persuade us:
◦ Make a solid proposal, which includes
 A solid Technical case
 A solid Plan
◦ Make your case as persuasively as possible, which
implies




Empathy
Argument
Art
Repetition
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