Problem Definition

We were able to quickly identify our problem statement. This was drafted pretty clearly which gave us a good head start and aim for our prototype. By defining what we needed to accomplish we split the work equally and were left with a good amount of time on our hands.

Establishing Norms

Our group already started with a fair amount of trust in each other because we were all friends. This meant there wasn’t any trouble with miscommunication.

The Plan

We had a very basic plan. We understood the priorities and the steps we needed to take to complete our project. Our group decided to just go by the flow which ended up taking a lot of unexpected turns. Problems such as 3d printing and wiring quickly rose up.

Time Management

We expected the project to go a lot smoother than it did. Therefore, we wasted a lot of time thinking everything’s going to be fine. In the end, it was okay except we didn’t get to make any improvements to our first prototype.

What to Do When Things Go Sideways

Due to the lack of time we had for building the prototype. We were only able to conduct one mobility test with no time to make any improvements. For example, when we conducted our mobility test, the vehicle wheels were not powerful enough to propell the vehicle forward when its on an uneven surface. We thought that we owuld be able to test early on because the wiring was supposed to be easy. However, we ended up spending over 3 classes on the wiring because of some complex issues.

I personally do not have the skills capable to help with the wiring or the building. So, I decided to be the “manager” and keep the group on task and focused. I also took over the testing phase and made sure that it would go as fast and as smoothly as possible.

Moving Forward

The project has taught me the importance of planning with room for error. Assuming everything will go the way we want it to will not end well because it’s quite hard for me to do something correctly at the right time. I think the researching that was done before building the prototype was really important and I will defintely make sure I have done sufficient research before I start my personal project. One strategy I can implement for my personal project would be to use calendar apps to create a timeline for this project. I currently use an AI calendar called Motion. This app will be able to keep me accountable and prevent time from getting wasted. Furthermore, I understand my weaknesses in the STEM field which translates to what projects I should tackle for my personal project. I wouldn’t be able to sit back and be a manager because there is nothing to manage.