This week in lab, Team G learned the proper decision making techniques for selecting AEV designs. This was done by utilizing a two phase decision matrix. Firstly, the team performed a concept screening matrix. By making a list of success criteria that the team wanted the AEV design to have. These criteria were used to compare to the sample AEV against the four individual and the join designs created during the Creative Design Thinking Lab. In this phase, a zero, positive sign and negative sign were used to rate each of the AEV designs as compared to the sample AEV. It helped the team to down-select ideas. A design was chosen to run the track procedure after adding the signs appropriately.
The next goal for this lab was to make a concept scoring matrix that utilized more numerical data than the previous phase. This phase helped the team refined the hierarchy of the criteria to determine the success criteria that plays an important role in the final design. Each success criteria were given a weight percentage first before the team rated the chosen designs from the previous phase. The team continued by completing the steps for the concept scoring matrix until a final design was chosen to complete the scenario in the Mission Concept Review.
The important takeaways that the team walked away with after this lab are the following.
Scoring – A scoring system is an efficient way to compare build designs and seeing if they meet predetermined criteria without needing to build a model.