Product requirements
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a design brief to define the design opportunity.
Key learning points
- Designers use design briefs to define the design opportunity and focus the design.
- Designers identify product requirements.
- Specifications are used to inform designing and manufacturing.
- Specifications are used when testing designs.
Keywords
Requirements - something which is needed or wanted
Design fixation - considering only one possibility
Specific - something that is clearly defined and detailed
Viable - capable of being successful
Common misconception
All specifications must use the same subheadings.
Specifications must be specific to the context, design opportunity and design brief.
Teacher tip
This lesson is a great opportunity to consider product requirements and specifications, including the opportunity to add additional examples from your own experience.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is 'a situation where something happens or exists, this is the starting point for designers to solve problems' a definition for?
Q2.Which methods can be used to investigate a context?
Q3.What is a 'design opportunity'?
Q4.Match these keywords with the correct definition:
naturally occurring, not made by humans
considering only one possibility
ability to exist without depleting the resources needed in the future
Q5.Select reasons why design fixation is limiting.
Q6.What is a design brief?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.A design brief should be ...
Q2.In which order would you usually complete each of these?
Q3.Which of the four Ws is missing? Who, Where, Why, ...
Q4.What is the list of criteria a product must have or do called?
Q5.How can a specification be used by consumers buying a product?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Product requirements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Product requirements, 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 Textiles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.