The team is progressing well with the overall goals of the project. The goal for the end of the semester was to accomplish a well developed CAD model of each subsystem prototype and having a full bill of materials. This has been accomplished besides some aspects of the propulsion team including the braking system and a lifting mechanism. These will be worked on over the interim to allow for manufacturing at the beginning of the next semester. Further prototype refinements for the completed CAD models will occur over the course of the year but solid CAD models have been developed for the majority of the components of the device. The team overall has worked well together over the course of the semester. The team is generally good at meeting internal deadlines for rough and final drafts. The team is always productive during set class times, especially the lab periods. As stated in the team charter (See Roles and Responsibilities ), every member was expected and has shown up to class on time and ready to work. Despite the challenges associated with online learning, group discussions have been largely engaging and productive. The structure of the team has remained consistent throughout the semester once subteams were created and subteam leaders were chosen. The assistant leader position has still not been filled, but may be filled in the future. As a whole the team works well together and is productive.
Propulsion team’s self-examination:
The propulsion team works well together. Expectations of members are set and most members achieve their set goals in a timely manner, and are responsive to other members’ communications and feedback. The team has accomplished a lot over the semester including CAD drawings and bill of materials for the transmission, motor, motor driver, attachment, and hitch. The battery, lifting system, and brakes need further CAD models, but serious progress has been made on each of these. Nicole Stanec, the leader of the subteam has done an excellent job delegating work and set expectations high. The team dynamic is great and communication is very effective amongst most team members. The team is good at being on schedule and the team meetings are always organized and productive. As a whole the subteam has done a great job of achieving internal goals and deadlines.
Electro-Mechanical Integration team’s self-examination:
The electro-mechanical integration team has made great strides in achieving the semester goals. The team has completed CAD models and circuit boards which were primary goals for the semester. The team hoped to finish some coding and ANSYS modeling this semester. Upon beginning an Finite State Machine (FSM), it was determined that more research and testing was needed to complete the FSM because components that were planned on continued to change throughout the semester. Additionally, the CAD modelling proved more complex than initially expected so the team decided to move the ANSYS modeling to winter break.
Our team structure remains relatively loose over the first semester with everyone checking on each other to ensure that everything was on track for completion. One primary clarification to our team structure was that Carolyn would communicate the subteam progress with the rest of the subteams. Overall, the EMI team works very well together and has maintained good communication and continuous progress over the course of the semester.
Effort Sensing team’s self-examination:
The effort sensing team has been progressing well and making efficient progress throughout the semester. Expectations and roles are understood and clearly defined. Even as new deliverables come up, the work is properly addressed and delegated as necessary. The structure of no specific leader works well for this group because there is an even amount of responsibility and members of the subteam are held accountable for their responsibilities with there being only two subteam members. No specific changes have been made to the structure. Overall, the subteam has produced on time, organized, and quality work for the subsystem. Open lines of communication and an overall honest dynamic have contributed to the success during this semester.