Using Learning Launch as an effective design thinking tool in Automotive Rear   Suspension Development for a Passenger Van modified for Electric Powertrain 

 By Ratna Kumari ( 4th Nov 2019 ) 

 Challenge 

 I am working for an Automotive OEM design & manufacturing 4 wheeled vehicles   for passengers . As a member of my organization ’s R & D department for   Suspension parts and our challenge is to make and Suspension for existing 7   seater Rear Wheel Drive ( RWD ) gasoline vehicle to an Electric vehicle for an   Government exhibition which would have    1 . Min changes in terms of vehicle - suspension attachment points    2 . Should support rear wheel drive .    3 . Should support additional weight of Battery Pack   4 . Should keep investments to minimum as it was not for sale . 

 Resources : Project scope includes    1 . Electrical Design Department and Body & Brake Design department with whom   we have to work closely .   2 . Project is limited to internal resources ( i.e budget & employee time )   3 . Project should not exceed 18 months from date of initiation including design   and vehicle building .   4 . Project should not involve dedicated members but needs to be executed as an   additional task over and above regular model development responsibilities   utilizing common employee Pool . 

 Selection 

 Since the standard designs for such is readily available , we need to fit such   template designs fitting in criteria mentioned above in challenges & resources .    So we quickly went from Visualization , Journey / Mind Mapping tools to Learning   Launch as its best suited tool for our case , to conduct an experiment , build a   prototype and test the hypothesis we developed and see if it meets our criteria   within the set of resources specified . 

 One more important factor to select Learning Launch as a tool as to evaluate   multiple design options in order to understand customer needs effectively .   As Design begins with empathy – establishing a deep understanding    for whom   we are designing , as a Manager thinking like designer would consistently put   ourselves   in our customers ’ shoes . Able to test and experiment our idea which   we think would meet customer need there is no better tool than Learning Launch   to find out the truth and would give a metric how much ‘ customer centered ’ we   automotive design managers are . 

 Application 

 For our first learning launch we begin by setting boundary condition , we   document limits on key variables such as time , design iterations , proven raw   materials , minimum tool investments and suppliers we should work with 

 We were able to build a team who would accommodate few extra hours for this   project at the same time is both disciplined and adaptive . The Least common   denominator in the team was passion for this project . We also managed to get   someone with financial perspective and that has proven valuable , while project   management skills being a default requirement . 

 As a next step we design with a sharp focus on key assumptions which we made   which will make our design work with the given challenges .   We prepared the prototype drawing with a due check at drawing review stage   that prototype drawing reflects the key assumptions we need to test . We   translated the assumptions we plan to test into specific metrics . Like example , for   Rear wheel drive   we choose the Suspension strokes value such that it does not   cross permissible angle of Drive shaft , construction of De - Dion tube such that it   does not affect underbody layout so that we meet the key challenge of not   undergoing major changes in the vehicle . 

 We then explicitly defined how we would generate the data , this includes both   objective data ( easy part : Component fatigue , Torque curve etc ) and subjective   data ( difficult part : Like Drive feel , Ride comfort etc ) . Goes without saying we 

 were being explicit about the search for disconfirming data and matched the   budget to an affordable loss calculation . 

 Next Step is when you prepare actual parts , face technical difficulty in terms of   quality defects   , here needed to work in fast feedback cycles . In this phase our   project first makes contact with reality and marks an important phase in Learning   launch . 

 We had a successful learning launch ( we prepared a Mule Vehicle ) and seeing the   new type of suspension ( De - Dion ) along with Constant Velocity Joints Drive shafts   fitted in a exsisting Solid axle type of suspension , was easy for all participants to   suspend their dis belief . It felt complete real and we had a test drive in real world   conditions and it met our criteria . 

 Its worthwhile to mention that during Learning launch setup we run a Failure   Mode and Effect analysis program which necessitates to create a back up plan for   everything which could possibly be wrong . We created a contingency handling   scenario if design fails what are the back up plans as the target of 18 months   given to us was non negotiable . 

 Insight 

 By applying the learning launch tool , our team identified our assumptions and   design launches to test this assumption . For example one of our assumption was   that electric motor should be mounted in vehicle body instead of suspension   unlike benchmarking studies shows motor mounted on suspension cases exist .   We tested our idea and found it meeting end objectives thereby making the   suspension lighter and comfortable . A wrong choice in Choice between Motor   moving with suspension or Motor part of vehicle would have delayed the project ,   which we feel ability to use learning launch effectively helped . Although there was   small improvements required and moving forward our team could incorporate    this insights in second mule and built design database for incorporation into   future launch design . Goes without saying incorporation of insight is very   important at this stage as launches comes before limited production of the   vehicle . 

 Approach 

 We found the learning launch is the most appropriate tool given our team quickly   went from Visualization , Journey / Mind Mapping tools , so Learning Launch as its   best suited tool for our case , to conduct an experiment , build a prototype and   test the hypothesis we developed and see if it meets our criteria within the set of   resources specified . Making changes to a full - fledged product for our case   converting a gasoline vehicle to electric vehicle , without surety of customer   acceptance   is both difficult and costly . 

 Instead , we can start small by launching a minimally viable version of a product   like a dry run — test our hypothesis and bring it in front of our target audience . By   doing so , teams can gather numerous insights about usability and product - market   fit and can make critical edits before extensive resources are committed to a final   version . Beyond avoiding costly mistakes , experimenting with prototypes can   bring early awareness of our offering among potential end - consumers 


EMAIL: 
ID_NUM: 
NAME_STUDENT: Ratna Kumari
PHONE_NUM: 
STREET_ADDRESS: 
URL_PERSONAL: 
USERNAME: 

### Task: You are a PII (Personal Identity Information) Detection. Given a essays written by students, you have to identify ONLY the following:
NAME_STUDENT - The full or partial name of a student that is not necessarily the author of the essay. This excludes instructors, authors, and other person names.
EMAIL - A student’s email address.
USERNAME - A student's username on any platform.
ID_NUM - A number or sequence of characters that could be used to identify a student, such as a student ID or a social security number.
PHONE_NUM - A phone number associated with a student.
URL_PERSONAL - A URL that might be used to identify a student.
STREET_ADDRESS - A full or partial street address that is associated with the student, such as their home address.
### Input: Using Learning Launch as an effective design thinking tool in Automotive Rear   Suspension Development for a Passenger Van modified for Electric Powertrain 

 By Ratna Kumari ( 4th Nov 2019 ) 

 Challenge 

 I am working for an Automotive OEM design & manufacturing 4 wheeled vehicles   for passengers . As a member of my organization ’s R & D department for   Suspension parts and our challenge is to make and Suspension for existing 7   seater Rear Wheel Drive ( RWD ) gasoline vehicle to an Electric vehicle for an   Government exhibition which would have    1 . Min changes in terms of vehicle - suspension attachment points    2 . Should support rear wheel drive .    3 . Should support additional weight of Battery Pack   4 . Should keep investments to minimum as it was not for sale . 

 Resources : Project scope includes    1 . Electrical Design Department and Body & Brake Design department with whom   we have to work closely .   2 . Project is limited to internal resources ( i.e budget & employee time )   3 . Project should not exceed 18 months from date of initiation including design   and vehicle building .   4 . Project should not involve dedicated members but needs to be executed as an   additional task over and above regular model development responsibilities   utilizing common employee Pool . 

 Selection 

 Since the standard designs for such is readily available , we need to fit such   template designs fitting in criteria mentioned above in challenges & resources .    So we quickly went from Visualization , Journey / Mind Mapping tools to Learning   Launch as its best suited tool for our case , to conduct an experiment , build a   prototype and test the hypothesis we developed and see if it meets our criteria   within the set of resources specified . 

 One more important factor to select Learning Launch as a tool as to evaluate   multiple design options in order to understand customer needs effectively .   As Design begins with empathy – establishing a deep understanding    for whom   we are designing , as a Manager thinking like designer would consistently put   ourselves   in our customers ’ shoes . Able to test and experiment our idea which   we think would meet customer need there is no better tool than Learning Launch   to find out the truth and would give a metric how much ‘ customer centered ’ we   automotive design managers are . 

 Application 

 For our first learning launch we begin by setting boundary condition , we   document limits on key variables such as time , design iterations , proven raw   materials , minimum tool investments and suppliers we should work with 

 We were able to build a team who would accommodate few extra hours for this   project at the same time is both disciplined and adaptive . The Least common   denominator in the team was passion for this project . We also managed to get   someone with financial perspective and that has proven valuable , while project   management skills being a default requirement . 

 As a next step we design with a sharp focus on key assumptions which we made   which will make our design work with the given challenges .   We prepared the prototype drawing with a due check at drawing review stage   that prototype drawing reflects the key assumptions we need to test . We   translated the assumptions we plan to test into specific metrics . Like example , for   Rear wheel drive   we choose the Suspension strokes value such that it does not   cross permissible angle of Drive shaft , construction of De - Dion tube such that it   does not affect underbody layout so that we meet the key challenge of not   undergoing major changes in the vehicle . 

 We then explicitly defined how we would generate the data , this includes both   objective data ( easy part : Component fatigue , Torque curve etc ) and subjective   data ( difficult part : Like Drive feel , Ride comfort etc ) . Goes without saying we 

 were being explicit about the search for disconfirming data and matched the   budget to an affordable loss calculation . 

 Next Step is when you prepare actual parts , face technical difficulty in terms of   quality defects   , here needed to work in fast feedback cycles . In this phase our   project first makes contact with reality and marks an important phase in Learning   launch . 

 We had a successful learning launch ( we prepared a Mule Vehicle ) and seeing the   new type of suspension ( De - Dion ) along with Constant Velocity Joints Drive shafts   fitted in a exsisting Solid axle type of suspension , was easy for all participants to   suspend their dis belief . It felt complete real and we had a test drive in real world   conditions and it met our criteria . 

 Its worthwhile to mention that during Learning launch setup we run a Failure   Mode and Effect analysis program which necessitates to create a back up plan for   everything which could possibly be wrong . We created a contingency handling   scenario if design fails what are the back up plans as the target of 18 months   given to us was non negotiable . 

 Insight 

 By applying the learning launch tool , our team identified our assumptions and   design launches to test this assumption . For example one of our assumption was   that electric motor should be mounted in vehicle body instead of suspension   unlike benchmarking studies shows motor mounted on suspension cases exist .   We tested our idea and found it meeting end objectives thereby making the   suspension lighter and comfortable . A wrong choice in Choice between Motor   moving with suspension or Motor part of vehicle would have delayed the project ,   which we feel ability to use learning launch effectively helped . Although there was   small improvements required and moving forward our team could incorporate    this insights in second mule and built design database for incorporation into   future launch design . Goes without saying incorporation of insight is very   important at this stage as launches comes before limited production of the   vehicle . 

 Approach 

 We found the learning launch is the most appropriate tool given our team quickly   went from Visualization , Journey / Mind Mapping tools , so Learning Launch as its   best suited tool for our case , to conduct an experiment , build a prototype and   test the hypothesis we developed and see if it meets our criteria within the set of   resources specified . Making changes to a full - fledged product for our case   converting a gasoline vehicle to electric vehicle , without surety of customer   acceptance   is both difficult and costly . 

 Instead , we can start small by launching a minimally viable version of a product   like a dry run — test our hypothesis and bring it in front of our target audience . By   doing so , teams can gather numerous insights about usability and product - market   fit and can make critical edits before extensive resources are committed to a final   version . Beyond avoiding costly mistakes , experimenting with prototypes can   bring early awareness of our offering among potential end - consumers
### Output: 