Question

14. Choose any process you are familiar with that requires a sequence of physical tasks. a. Use a fishbone diagram or flowchart to identify the steps in the process. b. Define at each step the operation(s) performed using only the most basic terms (e-g attach, reorient, cover, enclose, heat/cool, sort, clean, mix, sever). In other words, what "function" is performed at each step? c. State all the ways you can think of that each function happens in nature. d. Now, for each way the function happens in nature, list equivalent ways people handl this, either manually or with tools and machines. e. Assess the most feasible of the alternatives for each function. f. Use the most-feasible alternatives for the steps in the process. Compare the different processes (different combinations of feasible alternatives for each step) with the existing process. How do they compare?

Answer 1

Let's consider the waking up and going to work process

Ans a.

The flowchart is shown below:

Start The Alarm goes off Do you Yes want to Go back to Sleep sleep more No Get up and tretch Take a bath and Get Dressed Stop Travel to work

Ans b.

Modified flowchart, showing specific functions only, is given below:

Start Alarm rings Yes Snooze? Sleep No Get up Get Dressed Stop Travel to work

Ans c.

1. Alarm goes off: There's only one way in which this can happen naturally. The sun rises - it's morning - you ought to get out of bed and go to work!
2. Alarm Snoozes: Again, just one way. You can draw the curtains or pull your sheets/pillow over your head and continue sleeping..
3. Go back to sleep: Proper sleep, or a brief (10-15min) nap.
4. Get up: Lazily crawl out of bed or frantically jump out of bed...
5. Get Dressed: Formally (if say, you have a meeting with the board or the client), Semi-Formal (just a usual day at work), Casual (Weekend extra work or work from home)
6. Travel to work: Take a bus/metro, Take a cab, Carpool, Drive by your own car, Ride a bike or bicycle, walk it (if it's nearby)..

Ans d.

1. Alarm goes off: You can set alarms over your phones, on a clock, ask someone to wake you up (like if you're at a hotel, you can ask the receptionist to give you a wakeup call) etc..
2. Alarm snoozes: Set specific settings on your phone or clock or ask the receptionist to call back after 15mins.
3. Go back to sleep: As suggested above - Proper sleep, or a brief (10-15min) nap…..your choice
4. Get up: As suggested above - Lazily crawl out of bed or frantically jump out of bed...
5. Get dressed: You'd use an iron to press your clothes, Use polish for your shoes, Hangers to hang your shirts etc.
6. Travel to work: You'd use the car or the bus or the metro. You'd use your phone to order a cab (if needed)...etc.