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Industrial and commercial practices in relation to the major design project

HSC Outcome H6.1: justifies technological activities undertaken in the major design project through the study of industrial and commercial practices

Please note: This outcome requires students to JUSTIFY the technological activities they use in the production of the MDP. This is achieved by studying design and production processes as part of their coursework, implementing safe work practices in the production of their MDP and being able to explain the principles of safe work practices.

Students do not report on this in their MDP.

Through the study of industrial and commercial practices, you are able to understand the range of specialised equipment, tools and expertise at their disposal. Industrial and commercial businesses may have much more focused practice, it may be the only thing that they produce, therefore they are able to do it better and more easily and with the best possible equipment, tools and facilities. They know the industry and they know how to be and remain competitive within that industry.

As you complete your MDP, you will find that there is a limit to the range of equipment, tools and expertise that you have in your classroom or your home. Schools cannot provide everything that is needed for each individual student. As an HSC student, you are not expected to produce an industry standard product, system or environment. However, you may seek expert advice, guidance or assistance for aspects of your MDP. This kind of help will assist you to achieve a well researched major project that has been completed by:

seeking the advice of an industry specialist/mentor
asking to use a specialised piece of equipment that they have that would otherwise be too expensive to consider buying yourself
buying your materials from them to take advantage of their bulk purchasing opportunities
asking them to assist you to complete a part of your project to take advantage of their skills and speed of processing.

You need to justify why you have done this rather than do it yourself. Examiners need to be able to see that explanation.

Refer to Assessment and Reporting Design and Technology Stage 6 syllabus , Requirements for the Major Design Project, p.9 BOS 2010. "On occasions it may be necessary for some minor aspect of the Major Design Project to be undertaken by some other person or agency. In such cases, the contribution of the outside agent/organisation must be documented in the design folio. Students will not be given credit for actual work completed by others. Justification for, and of, such work will be recognised in the marking process".

Also refer to NSW Board of Studies All My Own Work guidelines.
Below are two examples:
comparison of commercial/industrial practice with school facilities
acknowledgement of assistance .