Design of experiment and Project Management methodologies support a senior project research course and its assessment

Abstract

Motivated by required program learning outcomes and recommendations from a continuous improvement plan focus group, Central Connecticut State University has uniquely organized its mechanical engineering senior project design research class to include significant review of Design of Experiments (DOE) and Project Management (PM) methodologies. Both studies have been linked to computational software tools for students to use in their capstone experience. The ultimate goal of the class is a project design proposal in which researched background information forms the introduction to a managed project plan which can include designed experimentation within the statement of work. This course organization has been found to be both beneficial for student capstone progress and integral to our accreditation efforts, through examinations and reports and their subsequent assessment. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2010.