University of Southern Queensland

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences

Course Number: ENG1004 Course Name: Engineering Problem Solving Principles

Assessment No: 3

Internal 
External 

This Assessment carries 300 of the 1000 marks
total for this Course.

Assignment: Assignment 3 (A3) Final Report

Date Given:
Date Due:
March 2018
4 June 2018
Penalty for Late
Submission:
5% (15 marks) per day
for up to 10 days then
loss of all marks.

THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT. It involves teamwork, but will be assessed individually.
Assignments are to be submitted electronically, using the link provided on ENG1004 StudyDesk.
Marked assignments will be returned via the ENG1004 StudyDesk grades and feedback system. The
report should be well referenced; include a title page, table of content, executive summary,
conclusions, significant findings and recommendations; and most importantly, adequately addresses
the assessment criteria.
Please use *.doc, *.docx, or *.pdf format only to submit your Final Report. Please use the naming
convention:
A3-FinalReport-Team-XX-LastName.pdf where:
XX is your Team/Workgroup number; and LastName is your last (family) name.
Use only *.xls, or *.xlsx formats to submit the Self- and Peer-Reviews (SAPR), please use the naming
convention:
SAPR-Team-XX-LastName.xls where:
XX is your Team/Workgroup number; and LastName is your last (family) name.
By submitting this assignment, you agree to the following Student Declaration:
I hereby certify that no part of this assignment has been copied from any other student’s work or from
any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the assignment. No part of this
assignment has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration has been
authorised by the Examiner concerned.

Any non USQ copyright material used herein is reproduced under the provision of Section 200(1)(b) of the copyright Amendment Act 1980

ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 2
1. Overview of Assignment 3 (A3)
The submission is made up of two main parts: Self and Peer Review (50marks) and a Final Report (250
marks). These two files will be submitted electronically through the studydesk.
Self and Peer Review (SAPR) – You are asked to critique and review your peer’s research output from
A2 and self-review your own work (using retell, relate and reflect writing strategy) with the SAPR
spreadsheet provided. You are also asked to review each team members contribution to teamwork.
The Final Report is to be a maximum of 30 pages (not including title page, appendixes and references)
utilising in-text referencing and a reference list in the Harvard AGPS referencing style. Care needs to
be taken to be concise and intentional with each paragraph to address the problem adequately while
keeping within the page limit. The following sections are to be included:



Part A: Site Selection and Statistical Analysis – The details of site selection are explained and
justified using a decision matrix method. Additional statistical analysis is to be done of
provided data.
Part B: Analysis of Statistics and Engineering Factors of Relevant to Chosen Field (Civil,



Mechanical, Electrical…etc) Statistical analysis is then presented for the chosen site. Deeper
research into engineering factors is done in one chosen field of engineering which justifies the
decision making process.
 Part C: Final Concept Design -The final concept solution is defined/described with the aid of
diagrams and simple calculations. Emphasis should be given to how it meets the requirements
set in previous sections.
 Professional Communication and Project Management (50 marks) – This is for the code of
conduct, time management and project management aspect of the problem which is
evidenced in your report and appendix.
 Teamwork in Problem Solving (50 marks) Teamwork will be monitored through your team’s
Studydesk forum and group meetings (usually in tutorial time). Meeting minutes, group
decisions and forum participation need to be documented and submitted as part of your Final
Report Appendix section. The appendix does not count to your page limit.
Submission Notes – USQ Policy



All assignments for this course are to be submitted electronically via the ENG1004 StudyDesk:
http://www.usq.edu.au/currentstudents/studydesk
Late assignments are not normally accepted unless there are health, family, or work-related



difficulties. If you wish to apply for consideration for late submission, it must be done at least
one week prior to the due date in writing or via email. Include documentary evidence of illness
(a medical certificate) or additional work commitments (a written confirmation of changed work
circumstances from your supervisor). For extension applications for other reasons, please
contact the examiner at least 2 weeks in advance of the due date.



All submissions will be processed via Turnitin. Students are reminded of the penalties applying
to plagiarism, collusion, and cheating. Copying all or part of an assessment from another

student, or from the web, is unacceptable. Plagiarism may result in loss of marks, or other
penalties as determined by the Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure:
ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 3
Academic Integrity Policy http://policy.usq.edu.au/documents/13752PL
Academic Integrity Procedure http://policy.usq.edu.au/documents/14727PL
 Further helpful hints on how to correctly reference (and how to avoid plagiarism) may be found
at: http://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/assessment/assignments/referencing-plagiarism
ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 4
2. Tasks Overview and Marking Criteria Weightings
Table 1: Team Report Task Format and Suggested Completion Dates
Table 2: A3 Marking Weightings
3. Self- and Peer-Reviews (SAPR) (50 marks)
INSTRUCTIONS: Once your team has submitted their A2, the submissions will become available to
you via your team forums so that you can begin SAPR. You are required to critically review ALL of
your team members’ submitted A2s, as well as self-review your own submission. You are assessed
on the quality and depth of your critique (and not on the “marking”).
This section is submitted and assessed in accordance with the Problem Based Learning philosophy.
You are asked to submit a self- and peer-review BOTH your own, and your team members’ A2 in line
with the provided assessment criteria. Note that the assessment criteria is based on your ability to

Tasks for submission:
Suggested
Completion Date

SAPR Self- and Peer-Review (SAPR)

Week 10

Part A Site Selection using a reliable decision matrix tool including
additional statistical analysis

Week 10-12

Part B Analysis of Identified Statistical and Engineering Factors for
Selected Site (Statistical, and one of disciplinary areas)

Week 13

Part C Details of Proposed Problem Solutions (Overall,
Construction/Maintenance, and one of disciplinary areas)

Week 14

Submit Team Report to allocated Assessment submission dropbox of the
ENG1004 StudyDesk
4 June 2018

 

Report Marking Criteria
Weighting

Problem Solving Application; Understanding and Knowledge of
Statistical and Engineering Fundamentals
50%
(150 marks)

Professional Communication and Management of information
16.7%
(50 marks)

Participation in Team Activities
16.7%
(50 marks)

Self- and Peer-Reviews (SAPR)
16.7%
(50 marks)

Submit Team Report to allocated Assessment submission dropbox of the
ENG1004 StudyDesk
100%
(300 marks)

ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 5
critically, objectively and reflectively self- and peer-review the collective IA2 submissions through
the well-considered and researched comments, NOT the levels you award to the team members.
Table 3: Assessment Criteria, Marking Allocation and Weightings for Peer-and Self-Reviews (SAPR)
In the Excel marking rubric you are required to fill in the names of who you are reviewing in the
“Student Name” field, and your name in the “Reviewer Name” field at the top of the spreadsheet
where indicated. For your self-review, fill in your name in both fields. Use the tab function in Excel for
each additional review.
Follow the below steps to complete your SAPR:
Step 1: Open the A2 zipped folder in your Team Forum;
Step 2: Select the first of your team member’s submission;
Step 3: Read the A2s;
Step 4: In the provided Excel Review Marking Rubric, choose a “Level” from the drop-down box on
the far right hand side (which is a number from 0 to 5 in accordance with the explanation of these
levels as set out in the marking rubric;
Step 5: Fill in the “Comments” area for this section using the supplied spreadsheet:


Use a systematic approach when critically reviewing your team member’s problem solving
ability within the section;
Critically review the Accuracy of the Content within the section;
Critically review the Reliability of the Content within the section;
Support your critique using Evidence AND Reasoning within the section.





Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for other parts of the A2, and Attention to grammar; correct spelling;
and appropriate referencing in Harvard AGPS style (in-text and reference list)
Step 7: In the “Overall comments” area at the bottom of the marking rubric, include the Reference
List of any references that you used within your review in full Harvard AGPS style;
Step 8: Teamwork. Reflect on the team members contribution to teamwork throughout the course:
meetings, communications and decision making. Score them out of 10 at the bottom of the
spreadsheet and give clear comments and justification for the score.

Assessment Criteria
Weighting

SAPR1 Demonstrate Critical Self-Review and Reflection (Retell, Relate,
Reflect)

20 marks

SAPR2 Demonstrate a Systematic Approach to Critiquing Problem
Solving Ability

20 marks

SAPR3 Demonstrate Critical Assessment of the Accuracy, Reliability
and Authenticity supported by evidence and reasoning

10 marks

Submit to allocated dropbox on the ENG1004 StudyDesk.
16.7%
(50 marks)

ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 6
Step 9: Repeat steps 2 to 8 for the rest of your team’s A2 submissions by adding to the worksheets
(via the tabs) in the spreadsheet;
Step 10: Review yourself last. Select your own A2 submission and repeat steps 3 to 7. Please note
that this marking criteria is DIFFERENT to that which you are marked on for your team member’s
reviews:



Critically review, and reflect on your own submission with respect to your fellow team members’
submissions by:

o Retelling what your experience was with writing your A2 within the sections;
o Relating what you found out while reviewing your team members’ submissions within
the sections; and
o Reflecting on what you have learnt about your own A2 from reviewing your team
members’ submissions within the sections.
Step 10: Double check that you have reviewed ALL team members’ submissions, as well as your own
submission. Proof read all of your comments.
4. Final Report – Part A: Site Selection and Statistical Analysis
Part A1 – Statistical Analysis
Individually, you should provide additional statistical analysis as follows based ONLY on your 3 sites
allocated WITHIN your dataset:
1. Frame hypotheses for a set of t-tests to compare mean rainfalls between all 3 sites selected.
Carry out the hypothesis tests in Excel, present the appropriate t-test results and interpret
these results within the context of your project. What do these results tell you about
differences in average rainfall among the 3 sites? What do these results tell you about
differences in average rainfall among the 3 sites? Discuss any limitations or assumptions
(statistical and practical) of this analysis.
2. Frame hypotheses for a chi-squared test to determine if the observed number of rain days is
different than expected. Carry out the hypothesis test in Excel, presenting the appropriate
frequency table showing observed, expected and residual counts for each town. Interpret
these results within the context of your project and in relation to your previous findings
based on t-tests. Discuss any limitations or assumptions (statistical and practical) of this
analysis.
3. Describe what, if any, relationship you might expect to find between the minimum
temperature and the maximum temperature variables. Construct a scatter plot between
these two variables and perform correlation analyses in Excel. Describe the relationship
based on both the plot and the correlation results.
4. Within a hypothesis testing framework perform a linear regression analysis in Excel with
maximum temperature as your independent variable and minimum temperature as your
dependant variable. Present and discuss all appropriate results from your analysis and
interpret these results within the context of your project. Discuss any limitations or
assumptions (statistical and practical) of this analysis.
ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 7
Part A2 – Site Selection
As a team, you need to present a list of influential factors (parameters) including results from your
statistical analysis in A2 for determining suitable sites. This summary must be derived effectively from
the individual A2 submitted by each team member (that will be posted on the team forum to be peerreviewed). Each factor presented in the list will require proper referencing and justification using
appropriately researched literature. Do NOT share your working for the additional statistical analysis
above with your team (this is individual work).
You are then required to describe and justify the decision matrix tool used to delimit the suitable sites.
Provide details on the evaluation strategy applied by the team to determine and rank the most
suitable site for the final solution. Please use an appropriate and reliable decision matrix tool.
With a problem of this magnitude, it is noted that a site may be theoretically the “best” site for the
problem solution, but in real life, this is not always the case. With this in mind, you are asked to identify
the top 3 ranked sites so that contingency plans can be adequately identified.
5. Final Report – Part B: Analysis of Identified Statistical and Generic
Factors, and one (1) Engineering Factors for one (1) Selected Site
Part B1 – Statistical Analysis and Generic Factors
Once the specific site has been chosen, the team needs to document and justify the actual site of the
proposed project using statistical and generic factors pertaining to the problem. Any site investigation
data required during the construction phase or ongoing data collection at project completion needs
to be identified. Comments should also be made on any assumptions.
Continuing on from your A2, you are now asked to document your team’s consolidated factors such
as previously mentioned:
1. Consider the statistical analysis of the weather (based on your work in A2 and Part A) and its
potential impact on construction;
2. and impact of weather on the final design. (ie: rainfall is related to the amount of water
collected)
3. Investigation of relevant labour and equipment and construction management considerations
(CPM construction scheduling).
Part B2 – Choose ONE Engineering Field for further analysis
Write a report on the engineering factors of a chosen engineering field, including further analysis of
available options to aid in finding the best solution. This section should be an extension of the work
done in A2 and have evidence of calculations and decision making relating to the chosen sites.
Clearly reference the source of any formula or data.
(Option 1) – Civil Engineering
Following on from the A2, where factors were identified for each site that would influence the Civil
and Structural Engineering aspects of the Problem solution, you now need to analyse these factors for
to determine the best solution.
ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 8
(Option 2) – Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering elements for this project, as identified in the A2, will mainly focus on the factors
that you will now need to analyse further using a logical decision making process.
(Option 3) – Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering technology and principles related to the project should be analysed to
determine the best solution. Use appropriate decision making tools to show this process.
7. Part C: Details of Proposed Solution and one (1) Engineering
Specification
Report on the proposed solution showing clear evidence of informed decision making. The following
sections must be included with the option of choosing one engineering section.
C1 – Proposed Solution Summary
Provide a summary of the overall solution, including a schematic diagram or sketch to show the
position and relationship between parts. Overall, the Solution for the Problem should be one shown
to be viable, as well as sustainable. Show how the team’s proposed solution will address all aspects of
the problem as well as be sustainable over a period of at least 10 years.
C2 – Engineering Specification of ONE (1) of the following:
Provide the specifications (at a conceptual level) of the final design. This could be overall sizes,
capacity, weights, power and/or performance criteria of the chosen components. Please choose one
field to cover in greater detail (same as in Part B of this assignment) and show evidence of informed
decision making. Please reference at least one relevant Australian Standard.
(Option 1) Civil and Structural Engineering Specifications
Civil and Structural calculations are required to show that your team’s proposed solution will meet the
requirements as set out in the problem brief.
This will include design specifications and related calculations to the areas identified and analysed in
Part B of this report.
In these areas, you should be able to demonstrate the basic knowledge on the analysis of loads and
forces, preliminary design, selection of materials, and familiarise yourself on the different Australian
design standards.
C2 – (Option 2) Electrical Engineering Specifications
Electrical design specifications are required to show that your team’s solution will meet the problem
requirements. These include the schematics, calculations and specifications for that which was
identified and analysed in Part B of this report.
ENG1004 Engineering Problem Solving Principles – Team Report (Individual Assessment) Page 9
C2 – (Option 3) Mechanical Engineering Specifications
Mechanical design specifications are required to show that your team’s solution will meet the problem
requirements. Calculations, diagrams and specifications are required for that which was identified in
Part B of this report.
C3 – Construction and Maintenance Specifications
Outline the required construction and any maintenance over 10 years in order to ensure the success
of your team’s solution, as well as any education that may be required to help guarantee the longevity
of the project. A simple project plan for delivery of the proposed solution is expected.
6. Appendixes and References
Please include a Reference list in the Harvard AGPS style. Appendixes can include your evidence of
teamwork and professional communication. These can be: Code of Conduct, team management, task
allocations, team minutes and forum posts.
7. Final Report Resources
Team report resources will be available on the ENG1004 StudyDesk, but most of the research you will
need to do individually and as a team. Any resource given to you will be via the ENG1004 main
StudyDesk and via the Team/Technical Forums. So please ask questions in your Team and Technical
Forums. Ensure that you check all of the ENG1004 StudyDesk and Team Forums regularly so that you
do not miss out on any information or resource.