Embedded Systems Mini-Project — Design Phase
What is a good design brief, and why does it decide whether your prototype will succeed?
- Write a design brief that states problem, users, requirements and constraints
- Select an appropriate platform (Micro:bit, Arduino, or Scratch simulator)
- Plan a prototype with a materials list and a rough block diagram
Overview
This week you begin the Simulation & Electronics Design Project. In groups of three or four you scope a problem you can solve with an embedded system in five weeks. A good scope is small, testable, and clearly useful. You will finish the week with a design brief that your teacher signs off.
What a design brief must contain
A design brief is a short document (one page) that anyone can read and understand. It states the problem, who it is for, the functional requirements (what it must do), the constraints (time, budget, hardware), and the success criteria.
Choosing the platform
Micro:bit is friendly for beginners and has built-in sensors. Arduino is more flexible and lets you use external sensors and actuators. A Scratch-based simulator is fine if hardware is not available — you can still demonstrate the logic.
Peer critique
Every brief will be read by another group. Their job is to spot vague requirements ('the system will be good'), missing constraints, and untestable success criteria. Take the feedback and improve the brief before submitting.
Draft & critique the design brief
- In your group, write a one-page design brief for your chosen problem.
- Swap with another group and give three specific pieces of feedback.
- Revise your brief and submit for teacher sign-off.
- List three things a design brief must contain.
Reveal answer
Problem, users/requirements, constraints (plus success criteria).
- When would you choose a Scratch simulator over an Arduino?
Reveal answer
When hardware is unavailable and you only need to demonstrate the logic.
- What is peer critique for?
Reveal answer
To catch vague requirements or missing constraints before you build.
Interview one potential user of your project. Update the brief with a real quote from them.