To master a particular thing one has to pack their brains with technical stuff by experimenting. As a part of our academics and technical fest we get engaged in many projects. However clinching a project doesn’t serve the purpose rather it gives rise to many questions such as where to start and how to start? Drawing schematics or buying components? Etc…This article leads you to the correct path.
In professional practice there are basically 7 steps involved:
Idea of the project
Literature survey
Selection of components (BOM)
Implementation of individual module
Integrating and debugging
System design
Final prototype
Here is the brief description about each of above steps:
Idea of Project:- This is the main thing that is going to affect all of the remaining steps. We should know what ‘basically’ we want to do and up to what extent we can ‘explore’ the project. Always it is better to implement basic structure and then extent it once basic thing is completed.
Literature Survey:- This is the most important thing where one has to spend 1/6th of his whole project time. This includes “Which way must be chosen to implement required application”. The way which you choose should satisfy following steps/questions:
What are all the possible ways of implementing given application?
How can you justify yourself that the way you chose for implementation is best out of all available ways (according to complexity of implementation, time, cost, power consumption and reliability)?.
Selection of components:- The another name for this is Bill Of Material. However we may be aware of the components that we are going to use, but the unavailability of components in the market desolate us. E.g.:- Some of the components may not available in Hyderabad and people preferring online purchase must keep the delivery time in their mind to proceed forward.
Implementation of individual modules: – If a project is done as a group then splitting into small groups, implementing &debugging individual module is the best practice always.
Integrating and debugging:- In the integration of individual modules, some components may not work properly as they worked earlier individually. So assigning sufficient time for this section is required.
System design:- If the application includes a dynamic system then drawing flow charts, FSM(Finite State Machine) and schematic helps as a compass when we struck somewhere in software implementation. However this can be done in any of steps above according to the application.
Final prototype:- This is the thing for which one struggles for days together to make it reality.
The above steps are essential for a successful project design. However some of above steps can be ignored according to the complexity of project. Hope this article helps you in the way “Making your ideas true”.
Goutam Bhaskar
2/4 ECE-B