Chapter 21: Technology Projects and Professional Practice
Technologists solve real problems by designing, building, testing, and improving things. The A/L Technology stream emphasises skills as well as knowledge, and the habits in this chapter apply to practical assessments, school projects, university work, and employment (Daily FT, n.d.).
The engineering design process
Design is a structured process, not inspiration alone (Dym et al., 2014):
Define the problem: who needs what, and why? Write a clear problem statement.
Gather information and set specifications: measurable requirements (capacity, cost, size, safety, standards, environmental limits).
Generate ideas: brainstorm several concepts; do not stop at the first.
Evaluate and select: compare concepts against the specifications using a decision matrix.
Develop the design: drawings, calculations, materials list, safety review.
Build a prototype.
Test and evaluate against the specifications; record data.
Improve and communicate: refine, document, and present.
Decision matrix example. Choose a drying method for a small spice processor. Weights show importance (total 10); scores run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
| Criterion | Weight | Open sun | Solar dryer | Electric dryer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running cost | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Quality and hygiene | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Weather independence | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Initial cost | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Weighted total |
The solar dryer scores highest. The matrix does not remove judgement, but it makes the reasoning visible and open to challenge.
Project planning
A technology project is a temporary effort with a defined goal, schedule, and budget, so the tools of project management apply (Larson & Gray, 2021):
Scope and objectives: what is to be delivered, and what is excluded.
Work breakdown structure (WBS): break the project into tasks (design, purchase, build, test, report).
Schedule: list tasks, durations, and dependencies; a Gantt chart shows them against time; identify the critical path (the longest chain of dependent tasks).
Budget: list materials, tools, and labour. Example: materials Rs 12 500, tools Rs 3 000, transport Rs 1 500, and a 10% contingency give .
Risk register: what could go wrong, how likely, how serious, and what you will do.
Teamwork: agree roles, meet regularly, record decisions, and share the work fairly.
Project ideas
| Specialist subject | Example projects |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technology | Rainwater harvesting and filtration unit; solar-powered phone charging station; automatic street-light controller with an LDR; low-cost hydraulic press; model bridge with load testing; energy-saving audit of a school |
| Bio-Systems Technology | Solar dryer for fruit or spices; hydroponic vegetable unit; household biogas digester; compost-making system; soil moisture sensor for irrigation; processing and packaging a local product |
| Combined | Smart greenhouse with a microcontroller; water-quality monitor for a fish pond; farm records spreadsheet with cost analysis |
A good project solves a real problem in your community, is safe, is documented with data, and shows what you learned.
Testing, data, and reporting
Testing must be fair (change one variable at a time), repeated, and recorded with units and uncertainty (Chapter 4). Analyse with tables, graphs, and calculations; compare with the specification; and state limitations honestly.
A technical report usually has: title, abstract (a short summary), introduction (problem and objectives), method and design, results, discussion, conclusion and recommendations, references, and appendices (drawings, data). Write in clear, precise English, use correct units and symbols, label every table and figure, and cite sources. Presentations should tell a story: the problem, the solution, the evidence, and the lesson.
Professional practice and ethics
Technologists have duties to the public, to employers and clients, and to the profession: safety first; honesty in data and claims; competence (do not accept work beyond your skill); respect for the environment; confidentiality; fair dealing and the avoidance of corruption; and respect for intellectual property. International engineering bodies expect graduates to understand ethics, sustainability, and responsibility as part of their professional attributes (International Engineering Alliance [IEA], 2021). Never copy another person’s work or invent data; cite every source, and be open about any help from AI tools.
Standards, quality, and sustainability
Standards (for example Sri Lanka Standards, ISO, and IEC) define safe and consistent products and methods. Quality management uses planning, inspection, records, and continuous improvement. Sustainability asks whether a design meets today’s needs without harming the future: choose durable, repairable, recyclable, energy-efficient solutions; reduce waste; and consider the full life cycle from raw material to disposal.
Starting a small enterprise
Many technology graduates start small businesses: repair and maintenance, solar installation, fabrication, food processing, farming and aquaculture, or digital services. The steps are: identify a need and test it with real customers; design the product or service; estimate costs and a fair price; secure finance and any licences; keep honest records; market well; and ensure safety and quality.
Common mistakes
Starting to build before defining the problem and specifications.
Not recording data during testing.
Leaving the report to the last night.
Practice questions
Use a decision matrix to compare three options for a project you are considering.
Prepare a WBS and a risk register for a rainwater harvesting project.
Write an outline of a technical report for a project of your own.