← Product Design and Technologies syllabus

EnglandProduct Design and Technologies

The design process

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do a design brief and specification turn a need into measurable design requirements?

Identifying needs and writing a design brief and a design specification, including the design context and client or user, the difference between a brief and a specification, writing measurable and justified specification criteria, the role of research (market, user and product analysis) in informing them, and using the specification to guide and evaluate design.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on design briefs and specifications, covering identifying needs, the difference between a brief and a specification, writing measurable justified criteria, the role of research, and using the specification to guide and evaluate design.
12 min answer →

How does iterative design use ideas, modelling and prototyping to develop a product?

The iterative design process of generating, developing, modelling and refining ideas, methods of generating and communicating ideas (sketching, annotation, design drawings), the role of physical and CAD models and prototypes in testing ideas, gathering feedback and iterating, and how modelling reduces risk before manufacture.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on iterative design and modelling, covering generating and communicating ideas through sketching and annotation, physical and CAD models and prototypes, gathering feedback and iterating, and how modelling reduces risk before manufacture.
12 min answer →

How is the manufacture of a product planned, scheduled and resourced?

Planning for production, including production plans and flow charts, the use of jigs, fixtures, templates and patterns for accuracy and repeatability, working drawings and cutting lists, critical path analysis and scheduling, allocation of resources and quality checkpoints, and how forward planning supports efficient and consistent manufacture.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on planning for manufacture, covering production plans and flow charts, jigs, fixtures and templates, working drawings and cutting lists, critical path analysis and scheduling, resource allocation and quality checkpoints.
13 min answer →

How are products tested and evaluated, and what role do standards and legislation play?

Testing and evaluating products against the specification and with users, methods of testing (function, durability, user trials, destructive and non-destructive testing), objective and subjective evaluation, and the role of standards and legislation (British and international standards, the BSI Kitemark, the CE and UKCA marks, key consumer and safety legislation) in ensuring products are safe and fit for purpose.
A focused answer to the Edexcel 9DT0 content on testing, evaluation and standards, covering testing methods and user trials, objective and subjective evaluation against the specification, and the role of standards and legislation (BSI Kitemark, CE and UKCA marks, consumer and safety law).
13 min answer →