You may wish to test how well the design that you will propose
will work or use testing to decide between two or more
alternatives. This can be done by; visual inspection, surveys,
strength tests, calculation, estimate, modeling, trial and error
and the list goes on.
Level 2
Many students ask, "How can I test my design before it has
been built or from a model?".
The truth is that there are many aspects that cannot be
tested until the final "product" has been made but there are
many design issues which can be tested.
For example, a requirement may be that the design has a
certain aesthetic (look) design. This could be tested by
using a survey of people presented with a physical model or
rendered 3-sapce drawing.
Features of the design could be tested by using a
checklist.
The cost or mass of the design could be tested by using
calculations (often on a spresdsheet)
Perhaps just a part of the design could be tested, or
analized; For example if the requirement was that the design
be able to withstand cold temperatures you could check the
specifications of the parts to be sure they meet the cold
temperature requirements or perhaps if it was made or a
certain material (like plastic, for example) you could test
just a piece of the material.
For aspects which cannot be tested with out a final design
(strength testing for example) you may define the test method
and leave it at that. You may consider both destructive testing
and non-destructive testing.
Level 3
Testing is summarized in the body of your report. This summary
briefly explains what it is that you are trying to find out with
testing, how you conducted the tests (briefly) and what you found
out. No reader wants to go through all of the raw data. If you
wish details can be appended.
A test plan and report may be best represented in a chart.
The chart should have the following four headings:
Requirement, Test Method, Test Results and Signature, Date,
Comments
The requirements should be the list of requirements that
were indicated in L4 (Performance Specification) when Defining
the Problem
The test method is a description of how the requirement
will or could be tested to be compliant with the requirement.
This may include; visual inspection, estimation, calculation,
survey, computer analysis, strength test etc.
Test results should indicate pass, fail or test not
completed (for example full scale strength tests cannot be
completed on a model) Brief results amy be presented. (e.g. Two
of three surveyed ....)
The tester should sign off and indicate the date and any
particulars that are pertinent to the testing.
Level 4
Good testing is repeatable, objective, scientifically done and
well documented. Detailed information which may include equipment
needed, procedure, checklists, dimensional drawings, and survey
questions could be appended to the design report.
Your design should progress to incorporate the results of your
testing (e.g. making a design decision)