20. Project development¶
Tasks to complete and my time management¶
In order to manage the time to properly complete my final project I decided to implement five time management actions for the tasks to be completed.
1) ### Set reminders for all your tasks:
To remind myself of each task I created a small timeline that I will print out to keep in mind all the time.
2) ### Create a daily planner:
My classes at the university only leave me free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. On those three days I will go to the lab. On Saturdays when the lab is not open I will do the design and programming work at home.
3) ### Give each task a time limit:
The tasks that have been completed are:
o Design and manufacture of opening and closing gears for the flowers.
o Design and manufacture of a module that houses flowers and leaves.
o Design and fabrication of the PCB to control the motor and to read the UV sensor.
o Definition of the place where the modules will be installed.
The tasks that have not been completed are:
o Design and laser cutting of anti-UV fabric.
o Fabrication of at least two more modules in MDF.
o Programming of circuits to control inputs and outputs.
o 3D printing of gears for more flowers.
o Assembly and wall mounting of modules.
o Functional testing on site.
o Troubleshooting new problems.
o Video and slide editing.
And all of them will be limited to one working day according to the following schedule:
4) ### Block out distractions: These final two weeks I have no extra activities and will not plan any tasks outside of my classes at the university.
5) ### Establish routine: The routine will consist of reviewing the design and fabrication files the night before at home so that when I go to the lab I will optimise my time using the fabrication machines.
Questions to answer and when to answer them¶
- The integration of the system as a whole remains to be resolved. I still don’t know exactly how the cables will be hidden even though I have left slots and holes in the MDF module. I also don’t know how to install the module on a wall to protect from UV radiation and how to do a real test since I won’t be able to control the climatic radiation conditions.
- These questions and some others that I can’t realise at the moment will be solved on Thursday 9 June when I will install the project and on Saturday 11 June.
What I have learned¶
In this diploma course I have learned several digital skills such as how to handle images, videos and web pages. In addition, I learned how to schedule tasks and manage time. There was never a break in these twenty weeks, if you miss a task for a week, everything simply gets complicated and the tasks become endless. I have also learned that there is a community that can support you with the various doubts that arise along the way. Finally I realise that documentation is extremely important to help yourself and others.