| Stakeholder | Communication |
|---|---|
| Client: Dad | Monthly progress reports and consultation |
| Barney | None required |
| Number | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autonomously waters trees | High |
| 2 | Maximum attendance: once per fortnight. Ideal: once per 4 weeks | High |
| 3 | Off grid | High |
| 4 | Can water approximately 20 trees, approximately 50 L/month, for 3 months of the year | Medium |
| 5 | Track weather | Low/optional |
| 6 | Maximum $10 per tree cost | Medium |
| 7 | Easy to install | High |
| 8 | Product life of approximately 10 years | High |
| 9 | High reliability | High |
Since it is planned that many of these Water Nodes will be produced, the cost must be kept reasonably low to reflect the value that they add to the trees that they service, and reduce the starting cost required to trial the product. Given that the 1000L container around which the design is based costs around $70, the total cost of the system should perhaps be less than $300. Another way to consider the price is to take the market price of the 3 year old trees ($30 each), multiply by 25, giving a cost of $750. Essentially, the cost should be kept as low as practical while not compromising quality.
For the protoype, eBay and local suppliers (as well as held stock) should be cheap enough and easily accessible. For the final design and product, depending ont he required quantities, the parts may have to come direct from Chinese uppliers or similar in order to reduce cost.
The final design will have to be of a very high quality, in order to ensure that it is able to survive the necessary 10 year life requirement. Aesthetics are of little to no consequence, but the design must be rugged and reliable for use in an agricultural environment. A UV resistant coating could be useful on the outside of the water container, for instance.
Since this device will work off the grid, it will in a sense be very environmentally friendly. Additionally, the design should include a plan to decomission each individual part in an environmentally friendly way. Additionally, many parts could be reused in other Nodes.
| Event | Outcome | Risk | Controls | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Node is not completed before next summer | Project is delayed another year | High | Reduce: create soft deadlines and realistic project timeline | Medium |
| Scope is poorly defined | Project is completed incorrectly | High | Transfer: Get Dad to check over the scope/requirements | Low |
| Scope creep | Project is completed incorrectly | High | Avoid: Refer to requirements while making design decisions | Low |
| Misunderstand requirements and/or requirements are ambiguous | Project is completed incorrectly | Medium | Transfer: Get Dad to check over the scope/requirements | Low |
| Resource shortfalls | Project is not completed | High | Reduce: allow time each week to work on this project | Medium |
| Resource inexperience | Project is completed incorrectly | High | Reduce: learn the required skills | Medium |
| Design is infeasible | Project is completed incorrectly, or not completed, or becomes too costly | Medium | Accept | Medium |
| Technology components aren't reliable | Project is completed to a poor standard | Medium | Reduce: procure high reliability components where appropriate | Low |
| Technology components don't have proper documentation | Project is completed to a poor standard | Medium | Remove: create and execute tests to document components | Low |
| Integration issues | Project is completed to a poor standard | High | Remove: timely completion of project, and rigorous testing | Low |
| Procurement issues | Project is not completed on time | Medium | Reduce: order well in advance, design utilises easily sourceable components | Low |
| User interface issues | Product is not usable by client | Medium | Reduce: maintain communications with client | Low |
I am the only resource involved in this project. I only have to make sure that I have the required skills, and that I allocate the required time.
Weekly progress will be important for the success of this project. The timescale is roughly 1 year, and consistent progress will have to be made to complete the project in a timely manner.