IB+Evaluation

 =Core. Topic 7. Evaluation .=

**Evaluation and designing.**

The **general** criteria used by the IB to evaluate a product are:


 * Performance
 * Reliability
 * Ease of use.
 * Safety
 * Aesthetics
 * Materials
 * Construction
 * Cost.

All these points should be covered in your initial PDS.

The criteria used will vary depending on the purpose of the evaluation.


 * Evaluation and manufacturing.**


 * media type="custom" key="3265892" || Crash tests are not used to evaluate the aesthetics of a car. What can they help evaluate? ||
 * media type="custom" key="3265928" || Here we can see a number of tests carried out on furniture to ensure the quality of the pieces. It is through these "quality control" "performance tests" that manufacturers can have confidence in their "quality assurance" system and ultimately give guarantees to their customers. ||

**Evaluation and the customer.**

Customers will use a number of their own criteria to evaluate a product, chief among them will be "value for money". Consumers evaluation of a product can be split into four basic stages.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">**Pre purchase.** Advertising, list price, image, specification, reports comments form "experts" opinions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">**Purchase.** Price, aesthetics, performance.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">**Initial use.** Actual performance, safety, ease of use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">**Long term use.** Reliability, maintenance, durability and running cost.

Key words and terms linked to this topic.


 * Key word or term. || Meaning. ||
 * Literature search. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">The use of consumer reports and newspaper items to follow historical development. Useful sources or information could include CD-Roms, such as encyclopedias and newspapers, or specific disks, subject specific magazines and manufacturer’s information. ||
 * User trial. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">The observation of people using a product and collection of comments from people who have used a product. ||
 * User research. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">Obtaining users’ responses. ||
 * Expert appraisal. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">The reliance on the knowledge and skills of an expert in the operation of the product. ||
 * Cost effectiveness. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">The most efficient way of designing and producing a product from the manufacturer’s point of view. ||
 * Quality control. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">Involved in development systems to ensure that products or services are designed and produced to meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. ||
 * Quality assurance. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">This covers all activities from design to documentation. It also includes the regulation of quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components, services related to production, and management and inspection processes. ||
 * Performance test. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">An evaluation of the actual performance of the task or learning objective using the conditions under which it will be performed and the absolute standard for acceptable performance. ||
 * Field trial. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">A test of the performance of some new product under the condition in which it will be used. ||
 * Value for money. || <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msofareastfontfamily: MyriadPro-Regular; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">The relationship between what something, for example, a product, is worth, and the cash amount spent on it. ||

Test yourself [|here]

Some students work linked to the evaluation of a product.


 * Amy. || Ari. || Dave. || Patu. || Tina. ||