Student design processes in capstone projects: preliminary findings

This work-in-progress describes an NSF CAREER Award to study the design processes students use in their senior capstone projects. This multi-disciplinary project compares process characteristics to project outcomes across several engineering disciplines. Data are collected through design journals, background surveys, direct observation, and external review of project outcomes. The project objectives are to determine which design process characteristics tend to be associated with positive (or negative) project outcomes. A pilot study is underway in a mechanical engineering capstone course at Montana State University. The paper presents preliminary analysis results of the data collected on 16 design teams of 3-4 students