[Jeff Waegelin]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

opening the kit first seriously corrupts your thinking.

We always open the kit sometime during our first strategy meeting. We do it mainly to inventory what we have and make sure it's all there, but also to see if there's any cool new stuff. From a strategy standpoint, though, we don't even begin talking about pieces and parts until we have a general plan laid down. Everyone can look at the kit to get an idea of what we have to work with, but initial design is always concepts only. You can think strategically without having to keep the kit closed and out of sight. Just opening the box shouldn't magically turn everyone's minds to pneumatics and motors. If you always approach the design with a strategic eye, not one of implementation, you shouldn't have to worry about corrupting your thinking. It's all about the mental control (or the mentor standing up front saying "we don't care what you're building it with... what do you want it to DO?")