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Plants waterer project chart

This project is a time-limited endeavor to create a UNIQUE plants waterer product. It was created by a 2 person team.

Project Description and Scope

  1. Initial requirements gathering
  2. Solution scoping and pricing
  3. Detailed solution design
  4. Solution implementation

Business case

As a plant enthusiast, I want to:

  • have a hassle-free plant watering.
  • fill one bigger water tank that should last for a few weeks, depending on the plant water consumption, and set up the watering device once.
  • be able to set up the watering schedule based on my plant's needs. Using display and buttons.
  • receive a mail notification when the water tank is nearly empty.

Project objectives

  • Automated Watering System: Develop an automated plant watering system that can efficiently and accurately deliver water to plants based on their specific needs.

  • Sensor Integration: Integrate soil moisture sensors to accurately measure the moisture levels in the soil and provide real-time data for effective watering decisions.

  • Customizable Watering Parameters: Create a user-friendly interface that allows users to customize watering parameters such as frequency, duration, and volume to cater to the specific requirements of different plant species.

  • Energy-Efficient Design: Design the system with energy efficiency in mind, incorporating features such as low-power components, sleep modes, and efficient scheduling to minimize power consumption.

  • Compatibility with Various Plant Types: Ensure the system is adaptable to different types of plants by considering variations in soil types, sunlight exposure, and individual plant water requirements.

  • Remote Monitoring and Control: Implement a remote monitoring and control feature, allowing users to check the system status, receive alerts, and adjust watering settings through a mobile app or web interface.

  • Water Conservation: Prioritize water conservation by implementing features such as rainwater harvesting integration, smart weather prediction, and the ability to adjust watering schedules based on environmental conditions.

  • Reliability and Durability: Design a robust and durable system capable of withstanding outdoor conditions, including resistance to water exposure, temperature variations, and other environmental factors.

  • User Education and Support: Provide comprehensive user documentation and support to ensure that users can easily set up, operate, and troubleshoot the system effectively.

  • Cost-Effective Solution: Strive to create a cost-effective solution by optimizing the use of materials and components without compromising on the system's performance and reliability.

  • Data Logging and Analysis: Implement a data logging feature to record historical soil moisture data, enabling users to analyze plant health trends over time and make informed decisions about watering adjustments.

  • Scalability: Design the system with scalability in mind, allowing users to expand the system to accommodate a larger number of plants or additional features in the future.

  • Integration with Smart Home Ecosystems: Explore possibilities for integrating the plant watering system with popular smart home ecosystems such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa for seamless home automation.

  • Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feedback mechanism that allows users to receive notifications or alerts when the system encounters issues, ensuring timely intervention and maintenance.

  • Aesthetic Integration: Consider the aesthetic aspects of the design to ensure that the plant waterer is visually appealing and can seamlessly blend into different garden or indoor environments.

Preassigned resources

The role of manager, hardware, electrical, mechanical, software engineer was done by Rojberr.

Documentation will be done by Rojberr.

The Project will be reviewed by University professor.

Stakeholders

Builder - Rojberr Reviewer - University professor

No other stakeholders were identified so far (state 04.12.2023).

Known requirements

Description of Deliverables

Assumptions

  • We assume that the plant waterer system is designed for a specific range of plant types: indoor houseplants, of small and medium sizes.
  • We assume that the system is designed to meet the basic watering requirements of the chosen plants.
  • The frequency of and quantity of 5 liters of water is enough for the plants to survive for a few weeks.
  • The system is designed to be used in a home environment, with access to a power source and WiFi connectivity.
  • We assume a minimal maintenance requirement for the plant waterer.
  • We assume that the system has components that can be easily replaced, the water can be easily refilled and cleaned.
  • We assume that users will interact with the plant waterer through a user-friendly interface.
  • We assume that the system has limitations related to materials and exposure to rain, water, sunlight, and other.

Constraints

Project started on 04-12-2023. 📅 The end date of project is set to 27-01-2024. 🗓️

Project Risks

Sensor Accuracy:

Risk: Soil moisture sensors may provide inaccurate readings, leading to overwatering or underwatering. Mitigation: Conduct extensive testing and calibration of sensors under various soil conditions. Implement fail-safes to prevent extreme watering based solely on sensor data. Plant Variability:

Risk: Different plant species have varied water requirements, and the system may struggle to cater to the specific needs of each plant. Mitigation: Implement a customizable interface for users to input plant types and adjust watering parameters. Provide guidance on optimal settings for common plant varieties. Seasonal Changes:

Risk: Seasonal variations may impact plant water requirements, and the system may need adjustments to adapt. Mitigation: Incorporate a weather prediction feature to anticipate seasonal changes. Allow users to set seasonal preferences or implement adaptive algorithms. Power Supply Interruptions:

Risk: Power interruptions may disrupt the system's operation, leading to potential harm to plants. Mitigation: Design the system to handle power interruptions gracefully, with features like backup power sources or the ability to resume operations after power is restored. User Understanding:

Risk: Users may not fully understand the system's capabilities or may misconfigure watering settings. Mitigation: Provide clear and accessible user documentation, conduct user training sessions, and implement user-friendly interfaces to minimize the risk of misconfiguration. Connectivity Issues:

Risk: Issues with the system's connectivity may hinder remote monitoring and control. Mitigation: Implement robust and secure connectivity solutions. Provide offline functionality and alerts to notify users of connectivity issues. Material Durability:

Risk: Exposure to outdoor elements may impact the durability of the system's components. Mitigation: Choose materials that are resistant to weather conditions and conduct thorough testing for durability under different environmental scenarios. Data Security and Privacy:

Risk: Concerns related to the security and privacy of user data, especially if the system involves data storage or remote monitoring. Mitigation: Implement strong data encryption, adhere to data protection regulations, and clearly communicate the system's privacy features to users. Budget Constraints:

Risk: Unexpected expenses may arise, leading to budget overruns and potential delays. Mitigation: Conduct a thorough cost analysis, build in contingency funds, and regularly review the budget to identify and address potential overruns. Plant Health Monitoring:

Risk: Inability to monitor overall plant health beyond soil moisture levels. Mitigation: Explore additional sensors or features for monitoring factors like sunlight exposure, temperature, and nutrient levels to provide a more comprehensive picture of plant health.

No more than 5 pages. The shorter the better

  1. Initial requirements gathering - Hey, what it is that you actually want

  2. Solution scoping and pricing - Depending on needs (p.1) you put statements of work. Initial offer. Vary depending on the scope. Talk to key stakeholders and sponsor to understand goals. Migration, cost optimization, upscaling? What we are working with and trying to achieve.

  3. Detailed solution design - Steps and tasks to perform. Take information and put together a solution design. How long it's gonna take? What resources? What infrastructure is going to look like? What policies and standards? Naming convetions, security, access management?

  4. Solution implementation - Hand over to other teams? Solve it yourself? Perform the implementation.

  5. Handover to operations - Then hand it over to operations with documentation, workshops, training and finally get a sign off from sponsor.

You should definitely:

  • research the industry, the current product, the technology and the competition
  • find your approach / How do you try to differentiate yourselves in the market?
  • find out the technical limitations
  • wireframes of potential solutions
  • A/B tests
  • competitive overviews
  • customer feedback