Define a specification
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can collate design requirements to form a specification and make design decisions.
Key learning points
- Research from primary users/stakeholders and other research informs design requirements.
- Design requirements are used to make successful design decisions throughout the iterative design journey.
Keywords
Specification - a collection of design requirements
Design requirements - something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
Iterative - refining and improving
Common misconception
A specification is written after research and then referred to once the product is manufactured.
Design requirements should be used throughout the iterative journey (not just at the end!) to test concepts and make effective design decisions to creatively develop the product into a successful design.
Teacher tip
Pupils should be encouraged to gather design requirements throughout the research process. This enables them to clearly identify where the requirement has come from and then provide justification.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Risk assessment required - outdoor learning
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a design requirement?
Q2.Who can provide information about design requirements?
Q3.Designers carry out to gather useful information to help make design decisions.
Q4.What is the main goal of research in design?
Q5.What does "iterative" mean in design?
Q6.The is responsible for making design decisions?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A is a collection of design requirements.
Q2.The iterative journey is a process of ...
Q3.Match the keywords to their definitions.
a collection of design requirements
something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful
a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
refining and improving
Q4.If a company is designing a sports water bottle, which of the following is a design requirement for the specification?
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Define a specification, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Define a specification, 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 Iterative Design Principles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.