Here is the list of questions I put together. I'd be happy to clarify any confusing wording.
• How do you initially choose which approaches to the given challenge your team will prototype? For example, weighted objective tables, voting…
• What is the best way for teams that weren’t around for “the last game that was like this one (ex. 2011 was similar to 2007, 2012 was similar to 2006)” to catch up on what was learned in that year?
• Where else outside of previous FRC competitions do you look for design inspiration?
• Do you build field elements before starting prototyping?
• How many different approaches do you prototype?
• How much of your team’s resources, particularly personnel, do you devote to working on a prototype?
o How might teams with different or fewer resources (especially in terms of personnel) change how they operate?
• Once you begin prototyping, what is your approach?
o Do you try to do a proof of concept before proceeding?
o Do you try to gather quantitative or qualitative data? How refined is the prototype at this stage?
o How do you identify what data you need to gather?
• How can teams decrease their turnaround time on iterative prototyping?
• Does a prototype need to work as well as you expect the final manipulator to before you begin final production?
o Essentially, how much do you refine a prototype before moving on/what differentiates a prototype from the finished product?
• How long is your team willing to prototype before entering final production?
• How do you prevent unfinished prototypes/manipulators in general from delaying the rest of your design/production?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi
You'll want to turn to mentors from teams who are well known for continuous improvement and iteration. Those are the best prototypes.
Suggestions are pretty obvious here: 148, 254, 1114, 2056, 2826, 33, etc..
Ask the teams in this thread as well. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...hreadid=107567 |
I personally have learned a lot from that thread - it certainly informed some of the questions I asked here. I would love to hear more about these teams' prototyping processes, but didn't want to put them on the spot.
Thanks for your help!