Design Of Experiment And Project Management Methodologies Support A Senior Project Research Course And Its Assessment

Abstract

Motivated by required program learning outcomes and recommendations from a continuous improvement plan focus group, Central Connecticut State University has uniquely organized its mechanical engineering senior project design research class to include significant review of Design of Experiments (DOE) and Project Management (PM) methodologies. Both studies have been linked to computational software tools for students to use in their capstone experience. The ultimate goal of the class is a project design proposal in which researched background information forms the introduction to a managed project plan which can include designed experimentation within the statement of work. This course organization has been found to be both beneficial for student capstone progress and integral to our accreditation efforts, through examinations and reports and their subsequent assessment.

Supporting Diversity in Teams Through Asset Mapping

“…Qualitative analysis of students' work in project management tools related to a design project shows that they can learn to use such tools appropriately [29]. Likewise learning project management skills can support students to take ownership of their design work [30], resulting in improved overall design quality, and students tend to see it as valuable part of design work [31], [32]. In the present study, we consider how student teams view and value various professional skills, including project management and team skills.…”

Assessment of Soft-Skills-Program Learning Outcomes Using Engineering Courses

“…The practice of putting scientific knowledge to practical use within the engineering design process supports the listing of societal benefits (and detriments). University ME students, as previously reported 12 during the senior project are exposed to project management methodologies and software, which evaluate overall design project cost information. Additionally, many students choose to take engineering economy as a course elective providing the framework for developing project income statements and cash flows to allow analysis of longer term project profitability under the influences of interest and inflation rates.…”