Work Projects in Mechanical Engineering (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- Learns to work in a multidiciplinary design and/or development projects.
- Has skills in development project planning, steering and management.
- Can report progress of the project in different phases.
- Can receive and give development proposals and feedback.
- Is able to evaluate the project outcomes.

Content (course unit)

-Planning, steering and management of a multidisciplinary development project
- Roles of a project team member and project manager
- Reporting of a project in different phases
- Data management using PDM-system
- Introduction to OpenLab
- Usage of IoT-platform in data collection and analysis

Exam schedules

No exams

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation focuses on the actual working in the project, and on its documentation. Evaluation is based on continuous observation during project work, individual and group reflection on the work, evaluation discussion in the end of the project and the client's feedback. Also the project plan and project report are used in evaluation.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Introductory lectures on project work, work in the project group

Learning materials

Materials are published digitally. Suggested reading for project management Horine, G.2005 Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management

Student workload

1 op ~ 27 study hours.

Completion alternatives

No other way.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The course is implemented through true working life projects.

International connections

Some projects use English as working language or have international dimensions.

Further information

The course is based on realizing mechanical engineering projects in working life and coaching project groups.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Project can be evaluated as failed because of following reasons
- the coach has been responsible for all communication with the client
- project group has not had any documented meetings
- project group has not written a project plan and/or project report
- project group has not evaluated the process and outcome of the project

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The group does not have clear rules, the work proceeds mostly due to the coach's or clients activity. Project leader does not take responsibility on leading. Time and work management, and control is inadequate.
Members of project group focus on their own sub-tasks, co-operation between group members and with the client, and utilization of the group members' special skills is inadequate. Work load is unevenly divided between the group members. Project outcome is incomplete, or group's and client's judgement of the outcome differs significantly.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Group agrees on the rules with the assistance of coach, and mainly follows the agreed rules during the project. Project leader takes responsibility on the progress of the project, and takes care that each member can participate in the project work.
Group members work according to the agreed rules and project leader's guidelines. They listen to each other's opinions and co-operate with the client. Project members' commitment to the project varies in different phases.
Project outcome is in accordance with the task description. Group and client have quite similar opinions on the quality of the project work and its outcomes.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Group self-directively and collectively agrees on the rules and takes care that all group members follow them during the project.
The project leader takes appropriate responsibility, takes the group members' skills into account and leads the project with smoothly. Project leader finds creative solutions to enhanche good working atmosphere. Time and work load allocation is systematical and balanced.
Each group member works for accomplishing the project aims in co-operation with group members. All group members participate actively in all phases of the project. Group members listen to and respect others' opinions and competences. Group members co-operate with the client and adjust plans according to feed-back.
Project proceeds according to the timetable or the timetable (and or the aims) is adjusted in co-operation with the client. The project group is able to evaluate realistically the quality of outcome with regard to the project aims and is able to reflect the project work process.