Design and Technology – Design process | e-Consult

Research Method: A focus group could be used. This involves gathering a small group of potential users (older gardeners) and facilitating a discussion about their current gardening practices, challenges they face, and desired features in a new piece of equipment. Data Collection: The discussion would be recorded (with consent) and analysed for recurring themes and specific needs. Questions could be structured to elicit information about ease of use, comfort, durability, and desired functionalities.

Informing the Design Brief: The data from the focus group would directly inform the design brief by:

• Prioritising Features: Identifying the most important features users want.
• Understanding User Requirements: Clarifying specific requirements related to ergonomics, power source, and ease of maintenance.
• Identifying Potential Problems: Uncovering potential usability issues or challenges that need to be addressed during the design process.
• Setting Design Constraints: Understanding any limitations users might have (e.g., strength, dexterity).

The focus group data provides valuable qualitative information that can be translated into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives within the design brief.