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Formula SAE is an engineering education competition

 

In contrast to the common perception of racing, Formula SAE is essentially a design competition aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of student engineers through real-world challenges. Therefore, it is imperative for all participating teams to strictly adhere to the competition rules.

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Before embarking on the design work, student teams must meticulously review all competition rules, extending beyond their own working group. This encourages cross-checking and mutual assistance. Simultaneously, when delving into the rules, efforts should be made to comprehend the underlying meaning. These rules establish the minimum safety requirements in the competition. The more profound the understanding of the rules, the greater flexibility and freedom they provide for car design. However, it is crucial to remember that these rules should not be considered as guidelines for building a car.

 

Communication and decision-making are paramount for a leader.

 

Within the team, the primary purpose of communication is to find solutions to problems. Open, direct, and honest communication is the key to the team's success. Additionally, the ability to accept feedback from team members and proactively provide feedback to others is a crucial element of communication within the team.

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In addition to fostering communication within the team, another significant responsibility of the team leader is to use discernment in making correct decisions. "Being elected as a leader by everyone implies that everyone believes you can make the most beneficial and best decision for the team."

 

4 key points of project management

 

1. Make a list of all the things you want to do and set meaningful goals

2. Set reasonable deadlines and schedules

3. Disciplined execution

4. Rolling adjustment (the team will undoubtedly encounter force majeure factors during the car-building process).

 

Ting-wei emphasized that the majority of teams face failures in steps 1 and 2, consequently leading to subsequent failures in the following steps.

 

Every effort is directed towards ensuring sufficient time for on-track testing and validation.

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Many teams encounter challenges with continuously extending the design and manufacturing period during the car-building process. Without an opportunity to test the car, regardless of how powerful the design is, it will not suffice. Only through test driving can the problems of the car be identified. A survey pointed out that the mileage of the team's test car is positively correlated with the performance of the competition. Ting-wei also shared his own experience, stating that the average mileage of European fleet trials is between 300 and 500 kilometers.

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Heritage is 80% asking questions, reading hard, plus 20% team training

 

Whether you are a senior or a current member of the team, you all bear the responsibility of passing on the legacy. Seniors should find ways to share their knowledge and experience rather than leaving immediately after completing their term. As for the current team members, they must also shoulder the obligation of inheritance, working diligently to learn basic knowledge and preserving the team's previous experience as much as possible. Moreover, inheritance cannot achieve a 100% effect, so all team members must take the initiative to learn, ensuring the team's continuous improvement.

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In addition to the aforementioned content, the two speakers also shared many of their own experiences in team management and preparation for international events. They provided suggestions on problems encountered by participating teams in the Q&A session. Feel free to click on the video and don't miss out on more exciting details."

 

If you have more questions to ask the speaker, you are welcome to write to FST official email: fst@fstaiwan.org