Independent Engineering Project and Project Management: A Guide

The Independent Engineering Project

The Independent Engineering Project is a major element of accredited engineering or technical degree. It provides the necessary evidence that you are technically competent and capable of entering the world of work as a professional engineer or technologist.

The aim is to develop your ability to work independently, in a chosen topic, using relevant technical research and design concepts, and analytical, test, measurement and evaluation techniques, in order to produce a finished artefact or product.

You will be expected not merely to collect, analyse and apply information, but also to exhibit other skills such as the ability to plan, manage and produce a significant technical piece of work.      

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to

1.Negotiate and execute a realistic plan to deliver to agreed project outcomes, including structured approaches to planning, investigation and research, with due regard to the constraints of time, budget and available resources.

2.Maintain an ongoing record, and write a substantial final analytical technical report containing an extensive critical evaluation of the methods adopted and the final outcome of the project.  

3.Present and discuss in a viva voce setting your technical project in depth, clearly communicating the critical issues and key features of the project and be prepared to answer detailed questions.

Definition of a project, project life cycle phases, project planning tools, risk analysis, resource management, managing project delivery.

Design Methods

Applying structured design methods: clarification of need, conceptual design, embodiment design, detail design. Design for civil engineering, manufacture and sustainability.

Project Execution

You will be expected to identify a technical project related to your final year studies. The project could originate from a list provided by the Module Leader or from a relevant personal interest of yours. All projects originating from you must be approved by the Module Leader prior to commencement and be sufficiently technically demanding to justify inclusion in the final stages of an accredited degree.  

The project supervisor, allocated after submission of the proposal, is primarily responsible for monitoring your conduct and involvement as well as providing some guidance when deemed necessary.  A second supervisor is chosen to complement the expertise of the project supervisor and to provide internal moderation. You are expected to meet your project supervisors on a regular basis, ideally at least once a fortnight, throughout the year for guidance in strategy, implementation and report writing.

The project proposal, (Learning outcome 1) is based on a preliminary survey of the problem area. It includes an outline of the scope and objectives of the study such as expected project outcomes, a plan of work, an assessment of the resources required for completion and an evaluation of safety and ethical implications (the former expressed as a formal risk assessment).  

The project supervisor may ask for revisions to the project proposal and must finally agree to it, within three weeks of it being submitted.  The proposal will form an important part of the subsequent management of the project and will contribute to establishing the criteria for the assessment of the project.  

You are advised to meet your project tutor at least once every two weeks, even if it is only for a brief update of progress. It is your responsibility to contact your tutor and arrange these meetings. Your progress meetings should always consider, amongst others, the following:

·The aims of the project, and any modifications that may be needed.

·Progress made to date, both in terms of research and practical work, and how this compares to the original project plan.

·Current utilisation of resources (monies, laboratory, software, etc.) and future projections of utilisation.

·Key issues and challenges fundamental to the progress of your project (i.e. circuit designs, theoretical models, availability of resources, etc.).

·Assessment deadlines and progress towards meeting these.

Additionally, information on the following issues will be available throughout the year; this may be given in Lecture/Web or Paper form:

Project Induction - Selecting and Planning a Project

Introduction to Project Facilities

Writing a Project Proposal

Writing the Interim Report

Preparing for the VIVA EXAMINATION

Note that exact dates and times for these sessions will be posted on the Blackboard course resources notice board for this module.

Checklist for Preparing a Technical Presentation

·Have you thought about what the audience needs to know?

·Have you prepared notes that will help guide you through the presentation but not prevent you from looking at the audience?

·Have you prepared appropriate visual aids to enhance your presentation?

·Have you worked out what you want to say about each slide?

·Have you tried out your visual aids?

·Have you practised and timed your whole presentation?

·Have you familiarised yourself with any special equipment?

·If you have slides/video, are they ready to go into the computer?

·Are your notes and slides in order?

·Do you have a watch?