Chapter 34 — Comparative project

Chapter 34 — Comparative project

Lesson map

Lesson 34 published. Map, example, EX100.

flowchart TD
  N0["Learning outcomes"]
  N1["34.1 The problem"]
  N2["34.2 Criteria and evidence"]
  N3["34.3 Recommendation"]
  N4["Synthesis"]
  N0 --> N1 --> N2 --> N3 --> N4
  N4 --> EX["Worked example"]
  EX --> Q["Exercise EX100"]

Logical drawing

flowchart LR
  N0["Learning outcomes"]
  N1["34.1 The problem"]
  N2["34.2 Criteria and evidence"]
  N3["34.3 Recommendation"]
  N4["Synthesis"]
  N0 --> N1 --> N2 --> N3 --> N4 --> Q["EX100"]

[Learning outcomes]
    |
    v
[34.1 The problem]
    |
    v
[34.2 Criteria and evidence]
    |
    v
[34.3 Recommendation]
    |
    v
[Synthesis]
    |
    v
[Worked example] --> [Exercise EX100]

Learning outcomes

You will (1) compare two approaches to a problem; (2) use clear criteria; (3) recommend with evidence.

34.1 The problem

Greenhill must decide how repairs operatives sign in on shared tablets. Elena compares two approaches. Option one gives each operative a security key that works with the tablets, signing in at the start of each job. Option two gives each operative a work phone with a passkey and the repairs app, retiring shared tablets. Both remove the shared account. The comparison helps Greenhill choose wisely rather than adopting whichever idea was suggested first. Repairs managers, operatives and IT all take part in the comparison from the start.

34.2 Criteria and evidence

Elena agrees criteria with the repairs manager: security, cost over three years, ease of use with gloves and in vans, effect on job speed and support effort. She gathers evidence through a two-week trial of each option with three volunteers, supplier prices and IT estimates. Keys are cheaper and quick to use but easy to leave in vans; phones cost more but combine sign-in, job details and photos of completed work. Each score is recorded with its evidence. Volunteers' comments are recorded verbatim.

34.3 Recommendation

Elena recommends security keys now, because they solve the shared account quickly and cheaply, with a key holder on each operative's lanyard to reduce losses. She suggests reconsidering work phones when tablets are due for replacement in two years, since phones then offer extra benefits. The recommendation states its reasons, its weaknesses and what would change it. The repairs manager agrees, and the decision is recorded so the later review can check whether the reasoning held. The cost difference is shown over three years.

Worked example

The comparison scores keys higher on cost and speed and phones higher on extra features; Elena recommends keys now and a phone review at tablet replacement.

Synthetic case. Options, trials and prices are synthetic.

Errors and limits

Choosing the first suggested option without comparison can miss a cheaper or better alternative.

Exercises

• EX100 — Two options. What two options are compared? Rubric: 3 = security keys on tablets vs work phones with passkeys;; 2 = both;; 1 = one;; 0 = none.
• EX101 — Key weakness. What is the main weakness of keys in the trial? Rubric: 3 = easily left in vans;; 2 = lost;; 1 = cost;; 0 = none.
• EX102 — Phone review timing. When should work phones be reconsidered? Rubric: 3 = when tablets are replaced in two years;; 2 = later;; 1 = never;; 0 = none.

Synthesis

Comparing options against agreed criteria with trial evidence leads to clear, revisitable decisions.

Continue studying — chapter 34 of 40

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