Project Execution II – SS3 Computer Hardware & GSM Repair Lesson Note (Third Term)

A practical demonstration is the live session in which you show examiners, teachers and classmates that your project works. In the professional world it is called a product launch or technical demo. To do it well, test your project beforehand, set up a clean workbench, explain your work clearly, answer questions honestly and finish the paperwork.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• describe how to prepare a project for a live demonstration;
• arrange a workbench in a professional layout;
• explain a repair using the problem, the diagnostic path, the action and the result;
• answer difficult examiner questions honestly;
• state the documentation and cleanup tasks to complete after a demonstration.

What is the practical demonstration?

You have spent weeks planning, researching and working on your project in the lab. Now comes the most important part: the practical demonstration. It is more than a speech. It is a “live show” where you prove to your examiners, teachers and classmates that your project actually works.

If you can show your work clearly and handle the machine with confidence, you move from being a “student” to being a “recognised technician.”

How do you prepare for the live demo?

A successful demonstration happens long before the examiners walk into the room. You must treat your project like a fragile treasure.

• The final health check: Do not wait until the morning of the demo to turn on your device. Test it the night before. If it is a GSM repair, check the network signal and touch sensitivity one last time.
• Backup power: If your project needs electricity, make sure you have a charged UPS or a power bank ready. You do not want “Nepa” to cut your marks by taking the light during your turn.
• Tool readiness: Even if the repair is finished, have your multimeter and DC power supply on the table. You might need to show the examiners a specific voltage reading to prove how you found the fault.

How should you set up your workbench?

The way your desk looks tells the examiners how much you respect your profession. A rough desk suggests a rough technician.

The professional layout:

1. The centrepiece: Place your project (the phone, the laptop or the network router) right in the middle.
2. The “proof” materials: Have your project diary and your schematic diagrams printed or open on a screen nearby.
3. Cleanliness: Remove any pieces of wire, old tape or dirty rags. Use a clean anti-static mat.
4. Labelling: If you replaced a specific chip, keep the “dead” chip in a small clear bag nearby to show what you removed.

How do you explain your work to the examiners?

When the examiners stand in front of you, they will ask: “What did you do?” Do not just say “I fixed it.” Follow this professional flow:

• The problem: “This phone came in with a ‘No Power’ issue and a history of water damage.”
• The diagnostic path: “I connected it to the DC Power Supply and saw a ‘Full Short’ of 2.0 Amps. I used the Rosin method to find the hot component.”
• The action: “I used the hot air station to remove the shorted capacitor (C201) and replaced it with a new one from a donor board.”
• The result: “As you can see, the phone now boots up fully, and all user data is safe.”

How do you handle tough questions?

Examiners like to ask “What if?” questions to see if you really understand the work.

• Example question: “What would you have done if the short was still there after removing that capacitor?”
• Good answer: “I would have gone back to the schematic to check other components on the same power line (VCC_MAIN) to see if another part was also damaged.”
• The “I don’t know” rule: If they ask something you truly do not know, do not lie. Say: “I haven’t encountered that specific issue yet, but based on my training, I would start by checking the Power IC voltages.” Honesty is a professional trait.

What should you do after the demo?

Once the examiners leave your table, the project is not finished until the paperwork is done.

• Final report entry: Write down any questions the examiners asked and how you answered them. This goes into your final project conclusion.
• The “handover” (if applicable): If the project belongs to a real customer, prepare a “Repair Summary” for them, explaining what was fixed and giving them a 7-day warranty.
• Safe storage: If you are leaving the project in the school lab, make sure it is locked away. Many good projects have been broken by accident after the demo because they were left out on the table.

Evaluation

1. Why should you keep the “dead” parts you replaced in a small bag during your demonstration?
2. If the light goes out during your demo, how can you still show the examiners that your motherboard repair was successful?
3. Why is it important to show the schematic diagram to the examiners instead of just showing the working phone?
4. List the four parts of the professional walk-through.

Assignment

Practise your 2-minute “Project Speech” with a classmate. Did you mention the tools you used?