UNIT 1 TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS PAG.

Theory of Technology: Technological Process

INTRODUCTION
We live in a technological world. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go
to bed, everything we do is shaped by technology.
Even when we are asleep, technology is at work in our lives. The Earth, for better or for
worse, has been profoundly changed by technological development.

Technology is a body of knowledge, skills and techniques that human beings use to
satisfy needs and to solve problems.

When human beings started to make technological objects, they did so without
following any particular process. They invented things in response to their basic needs,
in order to survive and reproduce: food, shelter, protection, and clothing. In those days,
invention was a question of survival. Basic needs are those which are absolutely
essential for our lives: a place to live, food, health, education, etc.
In was much later in human history that a basic model technological methodology was
systemized.

Technology helps develop more advanced economies.

But we don’t always use technology peacefully. Weapons are now more powerful.
Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, called “pollution”.
Technological activities consume natural resources. Experts propose a change in our
way of life to reduce pollution emissions.
Some new technological developments raise ethical questions, especially in
biotechnology and genetic engineering.

This is what we will study in this subject: the technological process. This methodology
is closely related to the scientific method, which is essential to scientific progress.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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The scientific method

1. The scientific method starts with the observation of a problem.

2. The scientist researches this problem and then formulates a hypothesis that
might explain the observed phenomenon.

3. Then the experiments to test the hypothesis are designed.

4. These experiments lead to conclusions, which either confirm or refute the initial
hypothesis.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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The technological process

The technological process starts with the identification of a need. The engineer does
research, proposes different solutions, and then selects the most viable. A model is then
built.
Once built, its effectiveness in satisfying the original need is evaluated. Both the
scientific method and the technological process are continuous, closed processes: once
the proposal or theory has been evaluated, and conclusions have been drawn, new
problems or needs emerge entailing the repetition of the cycle.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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Phases of the technological process

1º IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM OR THE NEEDS.

In this first step, we describe the problem. Listen carefully to the problem and the needs
of the user. It is important to have an open mind about what the user needs.
For example, instead of saying “I need a chair to sit down in front of the computer”, you
can say “I need something to be comfortable while writing at the computer for fifty
minutes”. The first document of the project is the description of what the user wants.
This document is called “the specification”.

2º DESIGNING THE SOLUTION.

Before we start to resolve the problem, we look for information:

• How other people have already resolved the same problem in the past

• What solutions already exist in the market.

• Asking someone who knows more.

Brainstorming is a technique to generate solutions to problems. We brainstorm after

specifying the problem and searching for information. Information helps us to think of
good ideas.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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Brainstorming helps us to think of ideas and select a good one.

The next step is to make a choice from among the proposals. Some options will be
rejected because they are not viable, others because they do not meet the need in
question. In a discussion such as this, it is important to be very clear about the pros and
cons of each one of the proposals. Finally, just the good one will be chosen, which will
be designed and built with the intention of resolving the need that has been identified.

The document should include a detailed sketch of the idea and a description of the
product: measurements, how it works, materials, what structure it has...

3º BUILDING THE OBJECT.

Now that the final proposal has been decided on, it can be constructed. To do this, a
work plan is needed.
This should take into account not only the tools and materials to be used, but also the
procedures, the time required, the distribution of tasks (who will do what) and how
much money it will cost (the budget). All of these considerations must be included in
the technical report (which we will see later).
It is usually during this phase that a scale model of the design is made (sometimes
models are made before the final proposal is selected).

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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Once the plan has been established, the construction is carried out following the
instructions stipulated in the technical report. It is extremely important to monitor the
whole process and take note of any problems that arise.

4º CHECK AND EVALUATE THE OBJECT.

Finally, we have to evaluate if our product provides a solution to the need for which it
was built. During the evaluation phase, all aspects of the product must be analyzed: the
design, the cost, the environmental impact, etc.
During this phase, it is common for new questions to emerge, which may generate new
needs. This sometimes results in new technological processes being initiated. For
example: is it possible to create a more efficient design? Is there a design that would be
cheaper to build? Has the need been completely satisfied?

The price doesn’t depend on the production costs (you can’t sell something at any price
you want). The price depends on what the customer is prepared to pay. So, you should
do the project only if the cost of making it is lower than the expected selling price.

When we finish using the object (and if we designed it with recyclable materials), we
can construct other objects using the same material. Recycling helps to save money,
protects the environment and promotes a more sustainable way of life.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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Technical Report

Every technological process should have a specific document called a technical report.
This document sets out the methodology that has been followed and the conclusions that
have been reached. Thus, by referring to this report, other people can carry out the same
project and obtain the same result; or update it and improve it, or, if the project is a
failure, identify where it went wrong. Thus, studying technical reports can help us
identify new needs and design new projects.
The technical report is a document drawn up for both the people who are involved in
the original project, and for others who are not. For this reason, it must be clear and
concise: nothing should be left unexplained and it should be simple to understand. Like
any document, it must follow the basic rules of spelling, grammar, and presentation (its
design is just as important as its neatness). Always remember that a technical report
might be the first impression an engineer has of your work, and therefore, of you!

Parts of the technical report

Every technical report should include the following sections, though their order,
presentation, and hierarchy might vary from one project to another:

• Front page
• Index
• Introduction
• Preliminary design
• Proposed solution

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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• Plans
• Construction process
• Budget
• Evaluation and conclusions

Depending on the project, some of these parts may not be appropriate. For example, if
we undertake a project under management or one which has been previously decided by
the company director, or our teacher, there won’t be any preliminary designs. Therefore,
these will not be included in the report.

1- Front page
The front page displays the title of the project and the information about the author or
authors.
Therefore, it is here, on the front page (usually in the bottom corner on the right) you
should clearly write your full names, the group, class, and the date the project was
completed.

2- Index
The index includes all the headings and subheadings of the document, with the pages
where they can be found.
Although it might seem to be a section that is easy to do, the index is an important
reflection of how a person or group works.
A good index is based on a previous synthesis and analysis of all the important issues
included in the project.
Care must be taken not to write indexes that are too short (as this will mean we have not
identified the interesting subissues), or too long (as then we will be showing that we
can’t distinguish between the important and unimportant points).

3- Introduction: identifying the need

The introduction justifies the project by explaining the specific need it is designed to
satisfy. It also includes the conclusions that were reached whilst the document was
being drawn up (the possibility of other solutions, problems that appeared, etc.).

4- Preliminary design

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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This section includes the preliminary designs made during the research and proposal
stage. These solutions are usually presented with a written description, as well as
sketches and diagrams. It is also possible to explain why each one was rejected.

5- Proposed solution
This section presents a detailed description of the proposed solution, accompanied by a
report justifying the choice.

If budgetary considerations have played a part in the decision, a report with the relevant
figures is included.
The same goes for statistical research. In fact, any information which has influenced the
final decision should be added.
6- Plans
The section of plans includes both the assembly plans (should they exist) and the final
designs. The designs should include both versions of the object, both as a whole (what it
will look like once it has been built), as well as in its separate pieces (which shows the
pieces that are included in the project).

These plans are neither the sketches nor diagrams that are presented in the preliminary
designs.
They are drawn up by means of technical drawing instruments, using standard symbols.
These plans with standard views also include technical information about the final
product: measurements, materials, etc.

7- Construction process

This section shows how the product has been made. It consists of two main parts:

Materials and tools

This describes the materials and tools that are used, as well as the safety standards and
the actions to protect the environment (mostly recycling and waste management) which
will be applied throughout the whole process.

Organization

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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This section describes the work plan and, if appropriate, the distribution of tasks (who is
responsible for each step of the project).

8- Budget
The budget specifies how much the project has cost (or is going to cost). Each piece
should be included, together with its cost, the number of pieces needed, and the total
sum.

9- Evaluation and conclusions

The final section should explain the results that have been obtained. This shouldn’t be a
purely personal and subjective assessment; rather it should reflect objective criteria such
as the environmental impact and the social impacts of the project, etc. Furthermore,
future considerations regarding new needs, proposals, or solutions can be included in
the conclusion.

ENGINEERING
What does an engineer do?

An engineer uses math, science, and creativity to make and improve the things we
need.
Engineers often work in teams to develop their ideas.

There are many types of engineers, just like there are many types of doctors.

A civil engineer builds structures that are still such as bridges, roads, and tunnels

A mechanical engineer builds machines that move like a dishwasher, a car, or a rocket
ship.

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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An electrical engineer builds things that require electricity such as a computer, a video
game, or a television.

A chemical engineer works with different chemical reactions. They can create new
materials, clean up oil spills, or design a process to make gasoline.

Engineers always work as a team. They share their ideas and try them out. They
continuously run into problems and have to make changes.

We use many things engineers have made every day:

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres

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TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Pablo Rescalvo Torres