Clients:
All projects require clients. This requirement is
intended to:
- allow students to develop appropriate interpersonal skills via
the client-group relationship;
- allow students to concentrate on the design process, rather than
having to search for- and define an idea; and
- provide students with projects that are representative of
what will be encountered in industry.
These intentions are by no means meant to hinder creativity:
if you have ideas that will enhance the operation of a project,
discuss these with your client and your instructor.
Additionally, you may derive your own project topic as long as
it meets the course requirements and you can find someone willing to
act as a client. If this is the direction you wish to follow, please
contact the instructor.
For the purposes of this course, a client is someone who:
- can define the operating features of a project, although
not necessarily in the same language used by Electrical
Engineers;
- has a vested interest in having the project followed through
to completion;
- does not necessarily have technical expertise;
- may have resources at your disposal (topic-specific
guidance, parts, etc.);
- can make a call as to whether a design should proceed to
the implementation phase based upon a proposed design; and
- is willing to interact with student groups.
A client can be an individual or even a group of people. The
following would all likely make good clients:
- University academic members
- Professional Engineers
- Lab managers
- Student project groups
- Industry representatives
Your instructor will discuss the suitability of a client (for the
purposes of the course) on a project-by-project basis.
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