CCEA A-Level Technology and Design A2 2 Product/System Design and Manufacture: a complete overview of the major coursework project

What this unit demands

A2 2 Product/System Design and Manufacture is the major internally assessed coursework of the A2 year, and the culmination of the course. The candidate, usually from their own identified problem and client, takes a demanding brief through the full design process to a substantial, high-quality made product or system, integrating the taught systems-and-control or product-design knowledge. It is more independent, deeper and more technical than the AS task, and is externally moderated.

This guide gives the shape of the project and what reaches the higher bands; the dot-point page sets out the differences from AS and the making requirements in detail.

How it extends the AS task

The A2 project goes beyond AS Product Development in five ways: it is more independent (own problem and client), deeper in research and specification, more technical in development (calculations and systems/electronic, mechanical or product detail with CAD and modelling), more substantial and higher quality in the make (with quality control and tolerance), and more thorough in testing and evaluation against the specification and the client.

What gains the higher marks

• Independence. The candidate drives the project from an identified problem and client.
• Analysis and justification. Decisions are justified, not described, throughout.
• Technical integration. The taught A2 content (calculations, control or construction detail) appears in the development.
• Quality of manufacture. A substantial, accurate outcome with quality control and tolerances.
• Honest evaluation. Objective testing against measurable criteria and with the client, with modifications.

Making, quality and assessment

The making stage must demonstrate quality control (in-process checks against the drawings and specification), working to tolerances (so parts fit and function), and health and safety (hazard identification and control measures, including a risk assessment). The project is internally assessed against CCEA's criteria and externally moderated, so marks reflect independence, analysis, technical integration, quality of manufacture and honest evaluation.

Check your knowledge

A few questions on the major project. Attempt them, then check against the solutions.

1. State two ways the A2 project goes beyond the AS task. (2 marks)
2. Why must the candidate integrate the taught technical content? (2 marks)
3. Name three things the making stage must demonstrate. (3 marks)
4. State one quality that reaches the highest mark bands. (1 mark)