Managing Engineering Design V.1

DESIGN CONTEXT WORK SHEET

Contributor:

Date:

LEVEL

INFLUENCES

CONTRIBUTING
FACTORS

CURRENT
STATUS

REQUIRED
ACTION

Positive Neutral Negative

Compensate
Promote | Disregard

MACRO-
ECONOMIC

Cultural

Scientific

Random

Effects of social change? Social Issues
Effect of politics? Political Climate
Effect of economic situation? Economic Situation
Regulations, codes, standards, liability? Legal Requirements
Changes in technology? Technological Advances
Environmental problems? Ecological Concerns
Effect of luck/chance? Luck/Chance

Market

Demand for product? Demand
Competition for product? Competition
Effects of success or failure? Financial Risk

MICRO-
ECONOMIC

Resource
Availability

Right people available? Human Services
Enough money for job? Capital Finance
Enough design information? Information for Design
Do we have the technology? Appropriate Technology
Access to materials? Appropriate Materials
Power/fuel supplies adequate? Appropriate Energy

Customer

Is it clear what the customer needs? Understanding of Need
Is there time to do the job? Urgency of Need
Expectations realistic? Expectations
Customer helpful in design? Involvement

Corporate
Structure

Effect of company span on project? Span of Company
Effect of company size on project? Size of Company
Adequate project independance? Type of Project Control

Corporate
Systems

Information easily obtained? Help Getting Information
Work environment good? Quality of Work Environment
Effect of these on project? Pay Scales and Benefits

CORPORATE

Corporate
Strategy

Does company know what it is doing? Clarity of Objectives
Is management strong/innovative? Level of Risk Taking/Innovation

Shared
Values

Management commitment adequate? Degree of Commitment
Management involvement adequate? Degree of Involvement
Management enthusiasm adequate? Degree of Project Enthusiasm

Management
Style

Is staff encouraged to be creative? Degree of Staff Freedom
Is staff involved in management? Degree of Staff Participation

Management
Skill

Are the management plans realistic? Quality of Planning/Coordination
Is communication effective? Quality of Communication
Is there a "project champion"? Effectiveness of Project Support
Are resources used effectively? Effectiveness of Resource Use

Management
Staff

Is there enough input from staff? Number of Staff Involved
Is good judgement exercised? Quality of Judgement
Sufficient motivation/morale? Degree of Motivation/Morale
Is confidence high? Degree of Confidence

© Hales & Gooch 2004