Design brief and specifications

How to write a good design brief and measurable specifications. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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From problem to brief

Part	Example
Problem	The school’s books lie on the floor.
Design brief	I will design and make a shelf so that the books can be stored neatly and safely.
User	The learners and teacher of the class
Purpose	The reason it is made: to protect and order the books

“I will make something” is not a brief: it does not say what exactly, for whom and why. The brief is one clear sentence, not a list, and it does not give the step-by-step building method. The scenario in a paper carries all the information you need.

The design brief: what must the product do?

Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Good specifications

Kind	Example
Size	It must hold at least twenty sweets.
Strength	The shelf must hold five books without bending.
Material	The model must be made of recycled plastic.
Appearance (aesthetic)	It must be painted green and brown so that it blends in with the trees around it.
Safety	No sharp edges (for Grade 1 children).

Rule

Specification = what the product must be or do. Constraint = a limit on your work, like “in pairs over three lessons”.

Meerkat tip

Does the question ask for three specifications? Write exactly three, no more.

Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary

A design brief says what is made, for whom and why.
The problem says what is wrong; the brief says what you will make.
Shape: “I will design and make … in order to …”
A specification is a requirement the solution must meet, and it must be measurable.
At the end you test the product against each specification.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

The brief answers three questions: What? For whom? Why?

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.

Now the real quiz!

The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.

Take the quiz: Design brief and specifications

All Grade 7 Technology summaries

For parents

Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.

Follows CAPS for Grade 7 Technology (Technology). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.