Develop a Solution PlanDevelop a Solution Plan

(Project Scheduling)(Project Scheduling)

Tools of the TradeTools of the TradeSchedule FormatsSchedule Formats

• Gantt ChartsGantt Charts• PERT/CPM ChartsPERT/CPM Charts• DSM DSM (design structure matrix)(design structure matrix)

• Software:Software:Microsoft ProjectMicrosoft Project

Minuteman ProjectMinuteman ProjectHarvard ProjectHarvard Project

Three Phases

• Execution (preliminary design)

• Design Verification

• Conclusion (performance monitoring)

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

• List of project tasks

• Start and stop dates

• Show project status & slippage

• Does not show direct interrelationships of tasks

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

Schedule FormatsPERT / CPM Chart

• Program Evaluation & Review Technique

• Critical Path Method

• List of major tasks

• Shows graphically interrelated aspects

• Disadvantage is that start and end dates are not shown.

Schedule FormatsPERT / CPM Chart

Schedule FormatsPERT /CPM Chart

Schedule FormatsPERT /CPM Chart

Schedule FormatsPERT / CPM Chart

Schedule FormatsPERT / CPM Chart

Schedule FormatsDesign Structure Matrix Chart

• Listed order that tasks must be executed in

• Sequential dependencies

• Find tasks that are:

sequential group tasks

parallel group tasks

coupled group tasks

Design Structure Matrix Chart sequential group tasks

Design Structure Matrix Chart parallel group tasks

Design Structure Matrix Chart coupled group tasks

Design Structure Matrix Chart

Schedule FormatsBottleneck Issues

• New areas of technologies

• Need new equipment or processes

• Custom components

• Long lead times

• Accurately can project be prototyped

• Outside vendor or agency

General Scheduling Procedures

• Break down to subprojects

• Determine time for each subproject

• Determine activities that must be completed in series

• Assemble complete schedule

The Design ProcessThe Design Process

• Divide and conquerDivide and conquer• Preliminary design issuesPreliminary design issues• Enhancing creativityEnhancing creativity• The initial designThe initial design• Design considerationsDesign considerations• Circuit simulation softwareCircuit simulation software• Software developmentSoftware development

Divide and Conquer

• Define the functional requirements

• List operational requirements

• Break down to subprojects

Schedule FormatsGantt Chart

• List of project tasks

• Start and stop dates

• Show project status & slippage

• Does not show direct interrelationships of tasks

Divide and Conquer

• Define the functional requirements

• List operational requirements

• Break down to subprojects

Divide and ConquerFunctional Requirements

(tape recorder)

• Power on / off• Insert & eject cassette tape• Play tapes• Fast forward• Rewind• Pause• Record stop• Adjust sound levels

Divide and ConquerBlock Diagram

Enhancing creativityEnhancing creativity

• Gather information

• Define the problem

• Subconscious mind

• List ideas in categories

• Combining – modifying ideas

• Edit ideas by excluding

Preliminary Design IssuesTechnology Selection

• Production Costs

• Volume of Manufacture

• Capabilities of Manufacture

• Manufacturing Cost Budget

Technology SelectionThrough-Hole Technology

Technology SelectionThrough-Hole Technology

• Easy to Breadboard & Prototype• Assembly In-house• Easily repaired• Larger board size• Low volume production

Technology SelectionSurface-mount Technology

Technology SelectionSurface-mount Technology

• Small board size• Low assembly costs• Need special assembly equipment• High volume production• Power dissipation ?

Enhancing creativityEnhancing creativity

• Gather information

• Define the problem

• Subconscious mind

• List ideas in categories

• Combining – modifying ideas

• Edit ideas by excluding

Design ConsiderationsBlock diagram / function

Design ConsiderationsCircuit Solutions

Enhancing creativityEnhancing creativityDesign ConsiderationsDesign Considerations

• Ambient temperature• EMI Immunity• Shielding• Grounding• Impedance matching• Physical orientation• Generated EMI Levels

Design ConsiderationsDesign ConsiderationsGroundingGrounding

Design ConsiderationsDesign ConsiderationsGroundingGrounding

Design ConsiderationsDesign ConsiderationsGroundingGroundingIsolationIsolation

Concept SelectionSelection Matrix

(Pugh concept selection method)

• Prepare the selection matrix

• Rate the concepts

• Rank the concepts

• Combine & improve the concept

• Select one concept

• Reflect on results

Selection Matrix

Selection Matrix

Power Source

Circuit Simulation Software

• Type of analysis available

• Functional complexity and ease of use

• Ability to output schematic to PCB

• Number devices available

• Allowable circuit complexity

Circuit Simulation Software Analysis

• DC Sweep• AC Sweep• Transient • Fourier• Noise• Distortion

• Sensitivity• Temperature sweep• Parameter• Transfer function• Worst-Case• Monte Carlo

Software Design

• Meet functional objectives

• Operate reliably

• Small memory space

• Operate fast as possible

Software DesignFlow Charts

Software DesignFlow Charts

Define the ProblemDefine the Problem

• Study the problem and list as many facts as possible to fully define the problem

• Completing the design specifications

• Set Objectives

• Outcome is a set of specifications

Develop Design SpecificationsDefine the Problem

• Specifications are a formal document listing the requirements of a project

• Define details that must be met

• Can be used as a guide in future projects

• Market Specifications

Develop Design SpecificationsSpecification Format

• General description• Performance• Power requirements• Packaging• Environmental• Operation• Project and production cost• Agency approvals• Special requirements

Develop Design SpecificationsPackaging

• Mechanical size limits

• Environmental rating

• Shape

• Material

• Human engineering aspects

Develop Design SpecificationsEnvironmental

• Ambient temperature

• Humidity

• Vibration

• Shock

• Electromagnetic interference (EMI)– Immunity– emissions

Develop Design SpecificationsManufacturing Cost Goal

• Total cost of purchased parts

• Labor cost to manufacture

• Manufacturing overhead

• The projected costs should be stated at the volume of manufacture for the costs

Develop Design SpecificationsSoftware

• Outline of the planned method of software operation

• All operations that involve the end user

• All operations that involve the hardware

• Flow charts ( top level )

• Flow charts ( sublevel operations )