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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.


Last update: August 17, 2022