PD 21, Developing Effective Plans

Unit 02 assessment: Understanding your problem

1. Select one of the engineering case examples as the source of information for
your problem statement, and answer the following questions. (3 points) (Did
Case 2C)
Who is the customer? Who is the client?
The client is Alexa, while the customer could be anyone requiring
laboratory equipment for protein analysis, including universities or private
research groups.

Where will the product or system be located or used?

The product will be used in laboratories doing work requiring protein
analysis.

What does the product or system do?

The product performs protein analysis. Kangaroo design is taking the
product's prototype and designing an enclosure to help commercialize the
prototype.

What information is provided that specifies how much or how many?

The goal for the collaboration between the client (Axela) and Kangaroo
Design was to have at least 200 functional units within 18 months from
the start date.

Using this information, write a detailed problem statement for the case example
you have selected. If you think the case study you have chosen doesnt provide
answers to all these questions, you can add information to the case, provided
that it makes sense and is appropriate to the example. One point will be
deducted if the problem statement contains implied solutions. (2 points)
A lab equipment manufacturer for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
has developed a prototype of a device that is able to perform protein analysis.
This device would aid in understanding bio-molecular interactions, consisting of
various biological compounds of which proteins play an important role. This
device would have potential use in laboratories conducting protein analysis
including universities, private research groups, and industry.
2. In a single phrase or sentence, identify a product or system that you want to
make and whether your idea is an improvement to an existing design or a new
invention. (1 point)
The product is a portable ultrasound machine able to connect to major mobile
phone systems. This is an improvement to an existing design.
Answer the following questions for this product or system. (2 points)

PD 21, Developing Effective Plans

Who is the customer? Who is the client?

The client is a biomedical company that manufactures hospital equipment.
The customer would be hospitals, research labs, or anyone looking to use
ultrasound for personal use (although this would be a rare case).

Where will the product or system be located or used?

The product could potentially be used anywhere as it is intended to be a
portable unit. However, it's major location of use would be in hospitals or
research labs.

What does the product or system do?

The product works like a conventional ultrasound machine but portable
and able to connect to mobile systems for ease of use. It would be useful
for research studies allowing researchers to more easily transport
equipment and

What information can you provide that specifies how much or how many?
The cost of the device should be minimal to allow multiple units to be purchased
by a single customer. The size of the unit should be minimal to enhance
portability. The device could be mass-produced as every hospital requires
ultrasound machines. As well, independent research labs would be able to
purchase their own portable machines as opposed to having to use hospital
resources and machines.
Using this information, write a detailed problem statement for the product or
system that you have chosen. One point will be deducted if the problem
statement contains implied solutions. (2 points)
A biomedical equipment manufacturer has identified a way to allow researchers
and hospital staff an easier way to scan patients and experiment participants
using ultrasound. The ultrasound device would be easy to operate, portable, and
would allow staff to scan patients who cannot be moved into traditional
ultrasound scanning rooms. The device would be mass-produced with minimal
cost compared to traditional ultrasound machines.