New
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Lesson 13 of 14
  • Year 10

Considerations for production

I can assess the feasibility and commercial viability of my design.

Lesson 13 of 14
New
New
  • Year 10

Considerations for production

I can assess the feasibility and commercial viability of my design.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Design feasibility assesses whether a product can realistically be made.
  2. Commercial viability assesses whether a product is likely to succeed in the market.

Keywords

  • Feasibility - the practicality of manufacturing a design

  • Commercial viability - the likelihood that a product can be profitably made and sold

  • Sustainability - designing with consideration for environmental and social impacts

Common misconception

If a prototype works, it can definitely be manufactured successfully.

Functionality doesn’t guarantee feasibility or success. A design might work in one-off form but fail in cost, scale, or sustainability when made commercially.


To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Considerations for production, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use relatable examples (e.g. a well-made student prototype that would be too expensive or complex to produce in volume) to illustrate the gap between workshop making and real manufacturing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the design term to its meaning:

Correct Answer:prototype,an early version of a product to test ideas

an early version of a product to test ideas

Correct Answer:idea,thought or suggestion for solving a problem

thought or suggestion for solving a problem

Correct Answer:feedback,opinions from others to improve a design

opinions from others to improve a design

Q2.
Which of these shows good design thinking?

ignoring feedback from people using your product
Correct answer: trying different ideas to see what works best
making one design and never changing it
only thinking about how it looks

Q3.
What is the main purpose of a low-fidelity prototype?

to show the final finishes of a design
Correct answer: to quickly test and communicate a concept
to replace all drawings and sketches
to create a product ready for sale

Q4.
Which statement best describes materials used for medium-fidelity prototypes?

Correct answer: they should be strong enough for testing but easy to shape or adjust
they must be final, decorative materials ready for production
they are always made from recycled paper and tape
they cannot include any mechanical or electronic parts

Q5.
What does 'diversity' mean in design?

creating only one product for everyone to use in the same way
designing mainly for the average user
making designs more colourful and stylish
Correct answer: recognising that users have different needs, priorities, and abilities

Q6.
Designers must consider different user such as comfort, focus, and mental wellbeing.

Correct Answer: needs, need

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which statement best describes feasibility in design?

whether a design looks modern and stylish
Correct answer: whether a design can realistically be made
whether a design uses only sustainable materials
whether a design is popular on social media

Q2.
Which combination of factors best describes a commercially viable design?

innovative, colourful, and experimental
fast, fashionable, and disposable
expensive, exclusive, and complex
Correct answer: sustainable, affordable, and in demand

Q3.
Designers use a “design for ” mindset to make products easier and more efficient to produce.

Correct Answer: manufacture, manufacturing

Q4.
Why is sustainability important for both feasibility and commercial viability?

it makes products cheaper to transport
it guarantees government funding
Correct answer: it attracts environmentally conscious consumers
it limits the designer’s creativity

Q5.
Match each term to the correct example:

Correct Answer:feasibility,whether a design could be manufactured in a factory

whether a design could be manufactured in a factory

Correct Answer:commercial viability,considering if customers would buy the product

considering if customers would buy the product

Correct Answer:sustainability,using recycled or renewable materials to reduce environmental impact

using recycled or renewable materials to reduce environmental impact

Q6.
Which of these best shows the link between inclusive design and commercial viability?

inclusive products are only made for specialist users
Correct answer: inclusive designs often appeal to more people, increasing potential sales
inclusive design makes products more expensive and less marketable
inclusive design ignores cost and demand