Considerations for production
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can assess the feasibility and commercial viability of my design.
Key learning points
- Design feasibility assesses whether a product can realistically be made.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the design term to its meaning:
an early version of a product to test ideas
thought or suggestion for solving a problem
opinions from others to improve a design
Q2.Which of these shows good design thinking?
Q3.What is the main purpose of a low-fidelity prototype?
Q4.Which statement best describes materials used for medium-fidelity prototypes?
Q5.What does 'diversity' mean in design?
Q6.Designers must consider different user such as comfort, focus, and mental wellbeing.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which statement best describes feasibility in design?
Q2.Which combination of factors best describes a commercially viable design?
Q3.Designers use a “design for ” mindset to make products easier and more efficient to produce.
Q4.Why is sustainability important for both feasibility and commercial viability?
Q5.Match each term to the correct example:
whether a design could be manufactured in a factory
considering if customers would buy the product
using recycled or renewable materials to reduce environmental impact
Q6.Which of these best shows the link between inclusive design and commercial viability?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Considerations for production, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Considerations for production, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Inclusive Design: Mental Health and Wellbeing unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.