Assessment Task 3: Due Week 5 Title: Solution Application – individual task (use a presentation format you think most suitable) Due date: Friday 21 April, 5pm Word limit: 2000 words excluding reference list and appendices Weighting/Value: 30% Presentation requirements: In this assignment you are expected to follow the problem solving stages (start with course Topics 1-3) to identify a specific problem, generate and evaluate solutions and devise an implementation plan. You should take some time to identify a suitable problem for this assignment. This may have been, say, a past problem you’ve encountered at work, a situation reported in the media or a case study based on a fictitious scenario. Your task is to address this problem in a new way by application of tools and methods starting with those enunciated by Wood et al. (2009). Four (at the minimum) academic references should be cited. DISCUSS ABOUT SWOT ANALYSIS, BRAIN STORMING AND PROBLEM SOLVING. Specific tasks or report elements: 1. Problem background 2. Problem definition 3. Solution generation 4. Solution evaluation 5. Implementation and action plan Marking criteria – items listed below do not necessarily carry equal weight: Refer Moodle – Assessment Task 3 – for marking criteria Estimated return date: Within two weeks of the due date or date submitted - whichever is the latter Learning objectives assessed: Objectives that are assessed may include the following: Knowledge K1 Define the rational problem solving process and distinguish among problem-types K2 Identify implicit assumptions, constraints, and biases in problem solving and decision making K3 Recognise and avoid errors in reasoning and decision-making K5 Compare and contrast the strengths, weaknesses and requirements of various research techniques applicable to managerial decision making Skills S1 Critique and synthesise the literature relevant to a selected business or organisation to define problems or identify decision-making situations S2 Apply problem solving tools and methods to analyse patterns and relationships for developing solutions S4 Devise and apply a process to improve employee decision-making S5 Prepare a written report to justify, interpret, and communicate problem-solutions to stakeholders Application of knowledge and skills A1 Identify and evaluate problem contexts, explanations and alternative solutions in the work-place Submission details: The solution application is to be submitted via Moodle. Penalties for late lodgement: A penalty of 10 per cent of the mark allocated to this assessment task will be deducted for each day late. Suggested marking weights and possible feedback comments* Criteria Suggested Mark Possible choice of feedback comments General Criteria 12 Structure – appropriate, professional and accessible 1 • Very poorly structured and confusing to read. • Structure is adequate, but you could use more subheadings to improve clarity. • Very well structured with the clarity required of a professional report Process – reasoned, coherent and consistent 4 • It is not at all clear what process you are following for problem solving. • Description of problem solving process and rationale is adequate, but could benefit from more information and/or consistency in application. • Description of problem solving process is adequate, but you have failed to justify your choice based on the nature of the problem • Good description of problem solving process and rationale, with good level of detail. • Very good description of problem solving process and rationale, with very good level of detail. • Excellent description of problem solving process and rationale, with excellent level of detail. Solution – original, compelling, and justified 2 • Description of solution and justification lacks the detail and substance to make a convincing argument that it would help solve the problem. • Description of is adequate, but have failed to justify your choice based. • Description of solution and justification is adequate, but could benefit from more detail on the features of the problem. • Good description of solution and justification of choice, with good level of detail. • Very good description of solution and justification of choice, with very good level of detail. • Excellent description of solution and justification of choice, with excellent level of detail. Application of appropriate tools and techniques 4 • The choice and application of tools and techniques is poorly and inappropriately applied at the different stages of the problem solving process. • The choice and application of tools and techniques has not been consistently applied to the appropriate stages of the problem solving process. • The application of tools and techniques is adequate, but could benefit from more detail when applying the tools. • Good application of the tools and techniques. • Very good application of the tools and techniques. • Excellent application of the tools and techniques. Professional presentation including references 1 • Presentation is of a very poor standard, with many spelling and grammatical mistakes, and an inadequate/or missing reference list. • Presentation is adequate, but referencing is poor/missing. • Presentation is adequate with occasional spelling/grammatical mistakes. • Good presentation and referencing. • Very good presentation and referencing. • Excellent presentation and referencing. Specific criteria 18 Problem identification – validity and clarity 4 • Very poor identification of the problem, with little or no use of appropriate tools and techniques. • Poor identification of the problem, with inconsistent use of appropriate tools and techniques. • Adequate identification of the problem and use of appropriate tools and techniques. • Good identification of the problem and use of appropriate tools and techniques. • Very good identification of the problem and use of appropriate tools and techniques. • Excellent identification of the problem and use of appropriate tools and techniques. Solution generation – creativity and scope 4 • Idea generation has been poorly thought out and has very little evidence of creativity or a new way of solving the problem. • Idea generation has only addressed a limited part of the problem, but it has not addressed the scope of the problem. • Idea generation displays some divergent thinking but would benefit from more detail. • Interesting idea generation with good use of tools. • Very interesting idea generation with very good use of tools. • Excellent idea generation with excellent use of tools. Solution evaluation – logical and practical 4 • Solution evaluation is poorly formulated, lacks detail and/or does not use any of the available tools. • Solution evaluation has not used logical approaches to appraise the ideas and choose the “best” for implementation. • Solution evaluation has not considered practical issues to appraise the ideas and choose the “best” for implementation. • Good solution evaluation with good use of appropriate tools. • Very good solution evaluation with very good use of appropriate tools. • Excellent solution evaluation with excellent use of appropriate tools. Implementation – relevant issues considered 3 • Very poor level of detail and use of implementation tools. • Adequate level of detail and use of implementation tools. • Good level of detail and use of implementation tools. • Very good level of detail and use of implementation tools. • Excellent level of detail and use of implementation tools. Action Plan – consistent, rational and succinct 3 • Action plan does not identify the major steps that should be follows to implement the change. • Action plan does not include a timeline to indicate the timing of the major steps for implementation. • Action plan is not consistent in the nature and level of detail. • Action plan has tool much detail and is confusing. • Action plan is good, being clear and concise. • Action plan is excellent, being clear, concise and well thought out.. __________________________________________________________________________ CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 5 __________________________________________________________________________ Climate Assignment Ecologically and climatically appropriate building design. Most traditional construction around the world is well-adapted to its environment and generally makes use of ecologically appropriate building materials and forms. Before mechanical space heating and cooling were available, traditional settlements developed a natural harmony with their climate and had as a consequence, a minimal carbon footprint. With global warming, we are returning to ecologically sustainable and climatically appropriate building designs. Particularly in this assignment, we will be looking at building designs, in climatically diverse locations across Australia and our near neighbours, investigating appropriate solutions for that location from elsewhere in the world that will have a minimum carbon footprint. You will be focusing on traditional solutions (say prior to 1900’s) from around the world, in similar climatic locations; to derive possible solutions for the location you will be assigned. As a group of 5 (minimum) or 7 (maximum) students, you will be allocated a location and your group is to become familiar with its peculiar climatic constraints. You are then to investigate other locations around the world in similar climates and discover the type of traditional building that developed to solve their particular needs for warmth (or cooling) and shelter. The list at the end of this handout has locations from around our region which are climatically diverse. When you have formed your groups a location will be allocated. Please form groups early in the semester. You must research the following topics to determine their influence on building design for your location: 1. The characteristics of the climate. i. Average maximum summer and minimum winter temperatures. ii. Diurnal temperature range both in summer and winter. iii. Humidity levels in summer and winter. iv. Solar characteristics (sun path and intensity of solar radiation). v. Atmospheric conditions (dust, cloudiness, precipitation e.g. mist & rain). vi. Incidence and extent of snow, if applicable. vii. Evaporation rates, rainfall intensities, flooding, fire and any other extremes of climatic conditions encountered at your location. viii. Remember to consider the use of vegetation to control the extremes of the climatic conditions, if at all possible. 2. Lighting needs of the building i. Glare problems; snow or bare ground. ii. Natural and artificial methods of lighting. iii. Lighting control throughout the day. 3. Acoustic background of the building i. External noise levels ii. Internal noise levels The locations chosen have some degree of discomfort in their climate in either summer or winter conditions. It might be the hottest day recorded or length of hot days or the highest evaporation rate. Or it could be the lowest or highest rainfall recorded with associated extremes of flooding or the highest altitude with resultant snow loads. Your group is to overcome these extremities and make your building solution an ecologically sustainable solution using ideas developed from traditional methods sourced from overseas. We are primarily focusing on characteristics of the environment and climate that impinge on building design and deriving solutions that would be acceptable to our culture in Australia. You can use modern building methods or materials to construct your building designs, but the focus is traditional solutions. You can use solar panels to generate both electrical & hot water, but again the focus is traditional solutions. The keywords are ecologically sound solutions that are climatically appropriate to the area you are assigned. Common problems • You are to discover countries that have similar climatic zones, and determine from your research the type of traditional building, that might have appropriate lessons for your allocated area. You must NOT include a general discussion of the cultural, geographic or political background of the country, unless it relates to the design of buildings. Marks will be deducted for padding. • Structural concerns, from snow, floods, earthquake & hurricanes should only be discussed if they affect the lighting, acoustic or thermal characteristics of the building. • You must include a Table of Contents, Conclusion and Reference list (Harvard method); overall it must be a professional report. See the Learning Guide for more details. Assessment (20% of final mark for the unit) Demonstrate how the environmental factors influence the design of traditional buildings in your similar region and how these principles can be applied and implemented to buildings at your location in Australia. This will be done through: 1. A 25 minute maximum verbal presentation (say 15 minute talk {i.e. app. 3 minutes each} and 5 minutes questions to the whole group). The presentation must be accompanied by PowerPoint slides (or similar). 2. A written submission; The length of the report is not critical but there should be input from all members of the group and heat, light and sound should be covered.. Diagrams and photographs are encouraged and should be referenced separately. This is a guide only. You may write a longer or shorter report if you want to do so. It is the quality of what is written that counts. 3. List of Locations: These will be allocated once you form your group Avoca TAS Marree SA Barrow Creek NT Mataranaka NT Birdsville QLD Meekatharra WA Bothwell TAS Menindee NSW Ceduna SA Miena TAS Cobar NSW Moree NSW Coober Pedy SA Peak Hill WA Cromwell NZ Pedirka SA Curie TAS Port Arthur TAS Daly Waters NT Queenstown NZ Derby WA Red Cliffs VIC Emerald QLD Renner Springs NT Halls Creek WA Robinvale VIC Hopetoun VIC Rosebery TAS Innisfail QLD Rotorua NZ Invercargill NZ Taupo NZ Karumba QLD Tumbarumba NSW Laverton WA Wangaratta VIC Mackay QLD Wilpena SA Maningrida NT Windorah QLD 4. Value of the Assignment, including PowerPoint & live presentation: 20% Submission Date: At time of presentation either week 13 or 14, as scheduled later in the semester