Major Project -I (ME-706) - Important Questions

Prepare a detailed work breakdown structure (WBS) and a Gantt chart for the major project covering design, development, testing and reporting phases. Construct the corresponding activity-on-node network, calculate earliest start (ES), earliest finish (EF), latest start (LS), latest finish (LF) and total float for each activity, and determine the critical path using PERT/CPM. Use the PERT expected time formula: $$T_E = \frac{a + 4m + b}{6}$$ where $a$ is optimistic, $m$ is most likely and $b$ is pessimistic time estimates.

Explain the methodology for conducting a literature review for your major project. Describe search strategies, selection criteria, databases to be used, citation management, synthesis of findings and how to identify research gaps that justify the project.

For a critical structural component in your project, describe the design procedure including material selection, factor of safety, dimensional tolerances and manufacturing considerations. Perform a basic strength calculation for the component showing bending stress using the relation: $$\sigma = \frac{M c}{I}$$ and state assumptions made.

Prepare a design of experiments (DOE) for the testing phase of your project. Define dependent and independent variables, control variables, levels and replication. Determine required sample size for estimating a population mean with confidence level $1-\alpha$ and margin of error $E$ using the formula: $$n = \left(\frac{Z_{1-\alpha/2} \, \sigma}{E}\right)^2$$ where $\sigma$ is the estimated standard deviation.

Describe the data analysis plan for experimental results in your project. Discuss selection criteria for statistical tests (e.g., t-test, paired t-test, ANOVA, regression), choice of significance level, handling of outliers and presentation of results with appropriate graphs and tables.

Perform a risk assessment for your project. Identify at least five potential risks, propose mitigation measures and illustrate the use of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Show how to compute the Risk Priority Number using: $$\mathrm{RPN} = S \times O \times D$$ where $S$ is severity, $O$ is occurrence and $D$ is detection.

Discuss ethical, safety and environmental considerations relevant to your major project. Describe applicable standards, regulatory compliance, safety procedures, waste management and steps for performing a patent and prior-art search.

Prepare a cost estimate and resource allocation plan for your project. Include bill of materials (BOM), direct and indirect costs, labour estimation, contingency, and a brief life-cycle costing analysis.

Outline the calibration and uncertainty analysis plan for measurements in your project. Explain instrument selection, calibration procedure and compute combined standard uncertainty for a quantity $f\left(x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_n\right)$ using: $$u_c = \sqrt{\sum_{i=1}^n \left(\frac{\partial f}{\partial x_i}\right)^2 u_{x_i}^2 }$$ where $u_{x_i}$ are standard uncertainties of input quantities.

Describe the recommended structure and essential contents of the final project report and oral presentation. Include guidance on writing the abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, references and appendices, and specify common formatting and referencing practices.

Define the project scope for a typical mechanical engineering major project. List clear, measurable objectives, deliverables, assumptions, constraints and success criteria. If applicable, outline a simple Software Requirements Specification (SRS) structure for embedded/software components of the project.

Explain best practices for documentation, version control and data management in the major project. Describe Git-based workflows, branching strategies, backup policies and methods to ensure reproducibility of experiments and results.