Preparation of a Concept Plan

NOTE: Concept plans are not cast in stone. They can be revised.

1. To prepare a concept plan with your team, you each should sit down alone and fill out the form given in class, or print out your own copy from here:
   1. The major components of your design object are the components you will be designing. (you already know this from The Basics)
   2. You should already have a good idea of the material properties from the Scoping out the Problem section of our guide.
   3. You should think about the material properties you just established as important and decide on what materials will best fulfill your requirements for those properties. Make this as educated a statement as possible. Do some research on the materials. At this point, you are just beginning the design, however, this will be easier later if you don't need to go back and change many things.
   4. Sketch your basic design with all the components labeled and how you think they will all be connected. This will be your Concept Sketch.
   5. Research what your maximum load will be. This may entail looking up data like anthropometric data, calculating impact loads or following the specification.
2. Now you are prepared to attend your next design team meeting, ready to discuss the issues in a serious manner, make decisions and come to a consensus of opinion. What if you cannot reach a consensus? Then prepare two alternative plans.
3. In the team meeting, draw up a team plan (and alternatives if necessary), staple it on top of the individual plans submitted by each team member and submit the stapled set at the start of class on the due date. Remember, the top sheet (or sheets) is the team plan.

Go to the Project Forms page for downloadable concept plan forms.