On successful completion of the module you will be better able to:

• Understand the complexity of trying to define development; and develop and justify the use of your own definition.
• Understand the specifics of the design brief provided, and use soft systems methodology to fully explore and analyse the problematical situation you will be designing for.
• Learn how to write a well-defined design question that will be answered during the project using SMART objectives.
• Design a series of potential solutions to the design question.
• Analyse the potential solutions using a binary dominance matrix to identify the solution that is most likely to be successful.
• Work up the final design into a fully specified solution and identify any further expertise that would be required to complete the design up to a standard for immediate implementation.
• Show consideration of the ‘global dimension’ (social, cultural, economic and sustainability perspectives) in the design solution.
• Create an implementation guide that introduces the design concept, addresses issues such as implementation, operation and maintenance and tackles the issue of local engagement with the concept.

• Defining Poverty/Development – look at different definitions and identify the perspectives to which they relate.
• Soft Systems Methodology – use team-based methods to analyse a case study, identify key stakeholders and world views, and spheres of power and influence.
• Develop a Design Question – using SMART objectives, develop a design question that will structure and direct the remainder of the project.
• Design Conceptual Solutions – generate a series of conceptual designs that could be applied to tackle the problems outlined in the brief and that could answer the design question.
• Produce a Full Technical Specification for the Chosen Concept – work up the selected design into a full technical specification (including highlighting areas where additional expertise might be required).
• Create an Implementation Guide - introduce the design concept, and address issues such as implementation, operation, maintenance and tackle the issue of local engagement with the concept.

An active learning approach is achieved with the use of workshop sessions and practical activities to help you unpack complex theoretical ideas. There is small group work, with team work evaluation and support. You will conduct library and empirical research to support your understanding of a real world case study.

The module progresses with opportunities for self, peer and lecturer formative and summative evaluation. All feedback is provided within seven days and is dialogic in nature.

You will be offered opportunities to reflect on the skills that you are developing and to consider how they might be transferable to your core studies.

You will be encouraged to incorporate your personal experience and interests into your work, and are supported to ensure that this is inclusive.

You will receive ongoing formative feedback on your progress and written feedback and provisional marks for your submitted assessments within one term-time week of submission. Dialogic written feedback is provided for each assignment. As part of the feedback process, you will be asked to write a response to the feedback which is reviewed by the lecturer. In addition, you can sign up for further individual support if required.

• Practical: Rich Pictures with Team Video Summary (20%)
• Practical: Presentation of Conceptual Designs (15%)
• Coursework: Final Concept Proposal (50%)
• Practical: Oral Presentation of Implementation Package (15%)

• Requirements: You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 85 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments and preparing for other assessments.
• This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 5 module. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌