Invention and Design 1/30/97

Systems Capstone Presentation:

Electronic InventorÕs notebook-- will help an inventor search his/ her documents like a database interface.

Based on an HTML-like design

Tag different components of your invention process.

Volunteers to try tagging process instead of just keeping a plain hardcopy notebook. This is done on-line on the WWW:

Web site: cti.itc.virginia.edu/~capstone/note.html

Note: this is all under development-- your suggestions are important! Mail comments/suggestions/questions to: capstone-1@virginia.edu

Discussion: Working in Groups

Recommendation: The Team Building Tool Kit by Harrington-Mackin

When can meetings become unproductive?

How do you conduct team meetings?

*start on time

*develop agenda/objectives

*conduct one piece of business at a time

*allow each member to contribute

*silence does not mean agreement

* test for readiness to make a decision

*make the decision

*test for commitment

*assign roles & responsibilities

* agree on follow-up/accountability dates

*indicate next step (vision)

*set time & place for next meeting

*end meeting on time

*was the meeting necessary?

Process observer: responsible for keeping group on track (use Process Observer Review Questions)

Responsibilities of team leader or facilitator

*ensure that milestones are met

*make sure proper quality standards are followed

*ensure effective use of resources

*ensure proper staffing

*prepare realistic & acceptable plan

*prepare project data items

*inform members of their responsibilities

*compare predeicted to actual costs and take corrective actions

*track time, cost, performance & resource commitments

Use a minute-taking form to organize the minute-taking process.