Design Principles

Design Checklist for Collaborative Development on Constrained Timelines

To design artifacts in any mechatronic design, here are general best practices for any design, including OSE designs. OSE designs have extra requirements in the form of OSE Specifications, but the ones below are generic. These apply specifically to design sprints where a number of collaborators gather for a limited time frame, such as during STEAM Camps.

1. When doing collaborative design in a constrained time frame, prioritize development of the complete MVP over rapid iteration (Test-Driven Design) of individual components.
2. When doing collaborative design on a Window of Opportunity Approach, prioritize rapid iteration over detail
3. Use minimum extent of structure possible to perform a desired task. To get additional strength, first consider Intensive Scalability, and second, Extensive Scalability.
4. Use the minimum number of fasteners to perform a desired task. Ideally, design for using only one. For fastener strength, see Clamp Force. This is Robustification.
5. If the part count for performing a task is greater than 1 - seek ways to bring the number back to 1
6. Keep cost minimum by minimum use of material, without reducing performance. Robustification
7. Keep build time down by using simple procedures. This is part of Robustification
8. Reduce skill level requirements for building something, while not reducing performance. This is part of Robustification.
9. Seek ways for a single part or assembly to serve multiple functions, without complicating the build procedure.