i. develop a design specification which clearly states the success criteria for the design of a solution
What is a design specification? A specification is a set of considerations, constraints and requirements for a solution: what the solution must or must not have to be successful. A specification is not a description of the outcome. It should demonstrate that students understand the needs of the problem that they have identified. Every aspect of a specification must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and testable (SMART).
The specification should be directly connected to the design brief. Writing a specification can be a difficult job if the design brief is not well researched and written. If a solution or design fails to meet an aspect of the specification, it can be considered that it has not met the criteria for success.
Students will need to refer back to the specification throughout the project, particularly when developing ideas and evaluating the solution.
When writing a specification, students should consider including details addressing the aspects in table 18.
The specification should be directly connected to the design brief. Writing a specification can be a difficult job if the design brief is not well researched and written. If a solution or design fails to meet an aspect of the specification, it can be considered that it has not met the criteria for success.
Students will need to refer back to the specification throughout the project, particularly when developing ideas and evaluating the solution.
When writing a specification, students should consider including details addressing the aspects in table 18.
Table 19 demonstrates poor and good examples of design specifications. Remember that these should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and testable.
Table 20
Example design specification for making a children's book about endangered animals.
Example design specification for making a children's book about endangered animals.
More about the DESIGN SPECIFICATION
The Design Specification is the most crucial element of the Investigate phase of the Design Cycle.
A good Design Specification should include information that you learned about the task/problem from your research.
It is a list of requirements that your design ideas must meet plus a list of constraints that you have. It is the check list that you need to use when you start to make your design ideas.
After your research you can develop a Design Specification. This will tell you:
This is an example of a good Design Specification for a Clock Project:
Test: I could test my clock by;
A good Design Specification should include information that you learned about the task/problem from your research.
It is a list of requirements that your design ideas must meet plus a list of constraints that you have. It is the check list that you need to use when you start to make your design ideas.
After your research you can develop a Design Specification. This will tell you:
- The Audience- Who you are designing for (who will see/buy the product)
- Objective - What the successful design must do: This is a description of what the solution will accomplish. It could indicate how well the solution is expected to work or under what conditions it will work
- Production -
- What it should look like (Size/colours/etc)
- What it should be made from
- Tools needed to make the product
- Time needed to complete the product
- Usage - How it will be used
This is an example of a good Design Specification for a Clock Project:
- Must use the Quartz analogue clock movement provided.
- The movement is 55mm x 55mm x 15mm, so it must be larger that 55mm x 55mm.
- Should be smaller that 300mm x 300mm due to the size of the hands.
- Cannot be thicker that 5mm due to the length of the movement shaft.
- Should have a theme that reflects the results from my survey.
- Must be original in its design.
- Should be made from MDF, timber or acrylic as are the most suitable.
- Must be able to be made in the TIS workshop.
- Can not be too difficult to make.
- Must be cost effective to make.
- Should be easy to read.
- Should be safe. (No sharps edges, non-toxic)
- Must be able to hang on the wall securely
- Must be able to be made in the time provided.
- Must tell the time!
Test: I could test my clock by;
- Conducting a survey of my intended market
- Check that it can be read form various distances, angles and by various people.
- Ensure that it keeps accurate time by checking it against the clock on a computer.
- Check to see if the batteries can be replaced easily.
- Check that it hangs on the wall well and will not fall if bumped.