Project Planning
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| + | =='''Purpose'''== | ||
| + | This gate encompasses the planning stage of the Nerf-N-Strike Elite Hail Fire. This gate assessed the project, the product and the group. This gate was conducted on 3 levels: <br/> | ||
| + | #Work Proposal<br/> | ||
| + | #Management Proposal<br/> | ||
| + | #Initial Assessment<br/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Project Management: Request for Proposal'''-This section provides an overview of our work and management plans; including how to reverse engineer our product and proposes an approach for disassembly and assembly after an initial inspection of our product. This section also includes capabilities and shortcomings of the group. Under the subsection management, detailed information on the how the group plans to manage its work is discussed, a point of contact, project roles and a plan that will enable to group to meet all the project requirements in an outlined timeline. <br/> | ||
| + | '''Product Archeology'''-This section provides a complete thorough analysis of the product without doing any physical dissection. This stage involved gathering the required information to successfully complete the product dissection. <br/> | ||
| + | |||
=='''Work Proposal'''== | =='''Work Proposal'''== | ||
==='''Dis-assembly & Assembly'''=== | ==='''Dis-assembly & Assembly'''=== | ||
Revision as of 17:54, 12 December 2012
Contents |
Purpose
This gate encompasses the planning stage of the Nerf-N-Strike Elite Hail Fire. This gate assessed the project, the product and the group. This gate was conducted on 3 levels:
- Work Proposal
- Management Proposal
- Initial Assessment
Project Management: Request for Proposal-This section provides an overview of our work and management plans; including how to reverse engineer our product and proposes an approach for disassembly and assembly after an initial inspection of our product. This section also includes capabilities and shortcomings of the group. Under the subsection management, detailed information on the how the group plans to manage its work is discussed, a point of contact, project roles and a plan that will enable to group to meet all the project requirements in an outlined timeline.
Product Archeology-This section provides a complete thorough analysis of the product without doing any physical dissection. This stage involved gathering the required information to successfully complete the product dissection.
Work Proposal
Dis-assembly & Assembly
For the reverse engineering of our product, we will conduct the assembly and dis-assembly on two levels. The first level will begin with the external, more visible parts which will be followed by the second level the internal, more intricate system components. Both dissections will give us a better understanding as to the structure, function and operation of the Nerf-N Strike Elite Hailfire.
The technical expert will instruct the group members on the specific steps of assembling the product.
Assembly (15-20minutes)
1. Begin by snapping in all components, snap in the handle by disengaging the jam door
2. Next snap in the plaster with the clip shield
3. Drill the back of the gun to insert 4 AA batteries into the battery slot and tuck the battery slot back into the plaster
4. Insert dart clips face followed by inserting the darts
Diss-assembly (25-30 minutes)
At first glance, the only tools needed to do the dissection are various sizes of the Phillips Head Screwdriver to cover all parts of the gun dissection. After the initial inspection of the gun we see that the dissection will be more challenging to complete than the initial assembly. The gun is battery powered, which establishes that there is an electrical circuit inside the gun. None of the members have experience with circuit boards which will pose a challenge to the group dissection process and will require research in that particular area.
Group Capabilities
The capabilities of our group served as indicators for determining the roles of each group member.
Jodie-Ann Duquesnay, is a team player who is always willing to help others when necessary. She has good organizational skills and is able to prioritize tasks. She is reliable and takes responsibility for making sure each group member excels in his/her role. Jodie's weaknesses include technical writing and assertiveness.
William Bach, has exceptional writing skills and experience working with various online platforms such as Wiki. He is good with coding and organizing information. Willie's weaknesses include time management and planning skills.
Chris Siderakis, is very motivated and has a great work ethic which makes him reliable. He is very punctual and works well with others. He is able to persuade others and get his ideas across in an effective manner. He possesses good communication and organizational skills. Chris also has experience with household tools. Chris's weaknesses includes technical writing as well as taking on the work-load of other group members.
Nicholas Lanzano, is very good at problem solving and is very mechanically inclined more specifically in the areas of product assembly and dis-assembly. He has a vast array of knowledge in mechanical systems and how they function component by component. He has experience working with our product and has a keen understanding of the mechanics involved in its function, operation and structure. Nicholas's weaknesses include time management and organizational skills.
The overall skills of the group include a general knowledge of basic tools such as screwdrivers and hammers.
Management Proposal
Point of Contact
Name: Chris Siderakis
E-mail: chrissid@buffalo.edu
Cell Number: (585)-645-2555
Roles of Group Members
| Member | Position | Responsibilities |
| Jodie-Ann Duquesnay | Project Manager | Ensures each member of the team executes their role successfully Manages project timeline and group deadlines |
| Chris Siderakis | Communications Liason | Communicates with the group to keep everyone in sync Serves as the point of contact |
| Nick Lanzano | Technical Expert | Serves as the product expert Leads team members in product assembly and dis-assembly |
| Willie Bach | Web Developer | Designs and organizes Wiki Page Serves as technical writer and editor |
Work Management
Our group plans on doing most of the non-dissection work individually during the week and the dissection work collectively as a group on the weekends. We meet on a regular weekly basis as a group on Saturdays at 4 o’clock in the Bell Hall Computer Lab. For dissection purposes we will meet in the Furnas 621 dissection lab, during the week at TA office hours for at least twice a week.
In order to address group conflicts in an effective manner as a group will discuss any and all concerns and conflict that we may have with one another upfront. The Project Manager and the Communications Liaison will lead all and any discussions regarding group conflict and will find alternative solutions and common ground for all parties involved. If for any reason a group member is unable to fulfill their role in the group we as a group will collaborate to ensure the completion of the project gate within the required deadline.
Project Timeline
Under direction of the Project Manager the following tasks and deadlines are set in place to ensure successful competition of product requirements:
Gate 2 Due: 10/26/12
Product Archaeology: Excavation (Dissection)
October 12-Preliminary Project Review, documentation of project assessment and management plans including group challenges and problems
October 19-Product Dissection, provide a step-by-step description of product dissection in "how-to guide format" with pictures and videos incuding Table 1: Product Dissection Assessment Questions to be completed
October 26-Preliminary Project Review and Product Dissection parts to be edited and reviewed for final presentation format on Wiki by the gate deadline
Gate 3 Due: 11/16/12
Product Archaeology: Evaluation
November 2-Coordination Review & Product Evaluation, for existing group unresolved issues document how the group will address such challenges. Document product components; functions, materials, manufacturing processes, model/part number and other important information
November 9-Product Analysis, Solid Modeled Assembly & Engineering Analysis, analysis of engineering decisions made during product design using component assessment questions in Table 1. Developed solid models of the individual components using Creo Parametric 1.0 and explanation of engineering analysis in design and testing stages of design process in one key component/function
November 16-All parts to be edited and reviewed for final presentation format on Wiki by the gate deadline
Gate 4 Due: 11/30/12
Product Archaeology: Explanation
November 23-Product Reassembly, Mechanisms & Design Revisions, document a step by step process for product reassembly including tools used and how they were used. Discuss 3 designs changes for product on system level including features to change and eliminate. Use Table 1 for Product Reassembly Assessment Questions. Identification of one or more mechanisms use to generate motion
November 30- All parts to be edited and reviewed for final presentation format on Wiki by the gate deadline
Gate 5 Due: 12/14/12
Product Archaeology: Documentation
December 7-Delivery & Documentation, prepare the final report, publish it to the Wiki using photographs, videos and animations. Make sure every group member fills out the group assessment and prepare a five minute presentation on the product and its design
December 14-All parts to be edited and reviewed for final presentation format on Wiki by the gate deadline
Preparation and Initial Assessment
Development Profile
In 2011 the Hasbro© company developed the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage for young kids to enjoying playing. During its development key economic and global concerns were addressed:
- Global- children becoming violent is always an area of concern when dealing with toy weaponry thus they created something that looks like a toy to lower the influence of violence, but looks “cool” enough in order to sell the toy.
- Economical- since this is a newer toy, Hasbro needed to make a toy that seems better than its previous products without making it too expensive for consumers to afford.
The product is intended to be sold in the United States and other modern regions of the world.
The intended impact of the product on the consumer and society in which it is used is a fun, safe way for young children to play with one another. Children watch tv and see shows and movies in which real guns are used for killing people, however this product steers children from the violent form of guns today and creates a safer environment for kids to play with objects that have the same shooting mechanism much like that in real guns.
The intended impact is to make a toy that is durable and entertaining for kids and to make the kids always want the new models to expand their collection.
Usage Profile
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire Blaster is a children’s toy that shoots “child-safe” darts through a plastic toy gun. This product provides sport for children of all ages in a safe, harm free environment. This product is intended for home use, because of its play-like nature. It is suppose to be used in more relaxed settings with very little instruction or strict disciplinary codes of ethics to follow. The product essentially shoots out darts in a rotating fashion from a rotating ammo rack. It provides a wholesome fun to young children and improves hand-eye coordination.
Energy Profile
Mechanical, increase kinetic energy results from the pumping mechanism of the advanced handle which leads to the stationary potential energy in the advanced handle just before the darts are fired out of the ammo rack
Chemical, the product experience battery powering, the battery inputs current into the gun
Electrical, as a result of the chemical energy from the batteries electrical energy is triggered as the electrons begin to move
Complexity Profile
Material Profile
Materials that are clearly visible are the plastic shell casing that of the gun, the metal screws that hold the gun together, the springs inside the magazines to shift the next dart into place after one has been fired, the Styrofoam that the darts are made from and the rubber tips that are on the darts in order to make them fly straight. There needs to be some kind of circuit inside the gun which would incorporate some kinds of metal, and there must be a spring inside the gun that allows the darts to fire.
User Interaction Profile
The interaction between the user and the product occurs in various positions; standing squatting, kneeling etc. However the user must hold the product in hand in order to operate it successfully using ones hands and fingers. The overall conceptual view is a “gun” or some sort of mechanism, which fires. The actual interface of how you fire the darts is a little less intuitive as the product design is a little more complex in nature than a regular gun. There is a safety lock in place as well as a advanced handle.Yes the product is pretty simple to use once you test out each of the components and see what they do. Its not too complex thus which explains why its recommended ages 8+. No, our product does not require any physical maintenance. The only maintenance aspect is replacing the batteries in order for the product to operate.
Product Alternative Profile
Existing Product Alternatives:
The advantages of our product are definitely the dart capacity. The product’s objective is to fire as many darts and successfully hit your target. The disadvantages is mainly the product’s weight and age requirement. The shooting distances are all within the same range 75 feet. The weights of the other two products; Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage and Retaliator are much lighter in weight compared to our product. Finally the manufacturer’s recommended age is higher for our product than the other two, which could be due to a higher complexity in components and less intuitive interface. The prices depicted in the above chart were all taken from Amazon.com The price differences are all within a $10 range. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator is the most expensive product, our product the Nerf N-Strike fell in between and the Elite Rampage Blaster was the least expensive.
