NCEA Level 2 Technology key terms

A written statement that sets out the need or opportunity a technological outcome should address, including who it is for, what it must do, and the conditions it must meet.

Precise, measurable requirements that an outcome must satisfy, such as size, strength, cost or finish, written so that success or failure can be clearly judged.

Any person or group affected by, or with an interest in, a technological outcome, including the client, end users, manufacturers, and the wider community.

The person or organisation that commissions an outcome and usually pays for it; the client may differ from the people who will actually use the product.

Information gathered from interested people about a design or outcome, used to confirm decisions, identify problems and guide the next stage of development.

The extent to which an outcome meets the specifications and does what it was designed to do, for the intended users, in the setting where it will be used.

The early stage of development where broad ideas are explored and compared before detailed decisions about materials, construction or appearance are made.

Sketches, notes and descriptions that record possible solutions, showing how thinking develops and why particular options were kept or set aside.

Using simplified representations, such as drawings, physical models or digital simulations, to explore and test design thinking before committing to a final outcome.

Testing how well an idea will work by making models that focus on performance, such as whether a joint holds or a mechanism moves freely.

A working version of an outcome built to test performance and usability; a prototype usually looks and behaves like the intended final product.

A model built mainly to show shape, size or appearance rather than to function, often from cheap materials, to check form and proportion.

Planned, recorded checks that measure an outcome or model against specifications, producing evidence that supports decisions about changes or approval.

Giving a version of an outcome to real users in a realistic setting to observe how it performs in everyday use and to collect feedback.

Judging how well an outcome or a stage of work meets the brief and specifications, using evidence rather than opinion, and stating what should happen next.

Repeating a cycle of design, make, test and improve, so that each version of an outcome is informed by the results of the previous one.

Setting out the steps, resources and time needed to complete an outcome, in enough detail that progress can be tracked and problems managed.

A clearly identified point in a project plan where a stage of work should be finished, allowing progress to be checked against the schedule.

The materials, tools, equipment, people, time and money needed to complete a technological outcome; identifying them early prevents delays and waste.

Identifying what could go wrong in a project, judging how serious and likely each risk is, and planning actions to reduce or deal with it.

The checks and procedures built into making and developing an outcome that ensure consistent standards are met, rather than relying on inspecting faults afterwards.

A product, system or environment that has been designed and made to meet a need or opportunity, whether it is physical, digital or a service.

A set of connected parts that work together to transform inputs into outputs, such as a heating system, a production line or a booking service.

Anything that enters a system to be transformed, including materials, energy, information, people or money, as well as the instructions that control the process.

What a system produces, such as a finished product, a service, waste or heat; some outputs are wanted and others are by-products of the process.

The change a system makes to its inputs to create outputs, through processes such as cutting, heating, assembling, mixing, computing or growing.

The set of actions or operations inside a system that act on inputs, converting them into outputs and often controlling quality along the way.

The parts of a system that direct its operation, for example a thermostat, a switch or a set of coded instructions, keeping output within acceptable limits.

Information about a system's output that is returned to its control so adjustments can be made, helping keep performance steady or improve the result.

The decided limit of what counts as inside a system and what is treated as the surrounding environment, which shapes how inputs and outputs are described.

How consistently an outcome or system performs as intended over time and under expected conditions, without failing or needing frequent repair.

How well an outcome or system uses its inputs, such as energy, materials and time, to produce useful output, ideally with minimal waste and loss.

Measured data about the size, shape and reach of human bodies, used to size products and spaces so that most people can use them comfortably.

Designing products and workplaces to fit human abilities and comfort, considering posture, effort, visibility and the way a task is actually performed.

The qualities of an outcome that appeal to the senses, such as colour, texture, proportion and finish, and the impression they create for users.

Something produced alongside the intended output of a system, such as offcuts, heat, noise or waste water, which may be useful, harmless or harmful.

Turning an idea into a practical, adopted outcome that changes how something is done, often by improving an existing product, system or process.

The creation of something new that did not exist before, which may or may not go on to be developed, produced and widely adopted.

A driver of development where a new technical capability or discovery prompts people to look for applications and then to create a market for them.

A driver of development where an identified user need or demand encourages designers and manufacturers to produce an outcome that satisfies that demand.

Legal rights over creations such as designs, inventions, brands or written work, allowing the creator to control copying and commercial use for a period.

Meeting present needs while keeping environmental, social and economic systems healthy for the future, for example by using renewable resources and avoiding waste.

The full journey of a product from raw material extraction through manufacture, use and repair to disposal or recycling, used to judge overall impacts.

Designing a product with a deliberately limited useful life or fashion appeal so that buyers are encouraged to replace it sooner than necessary.

Effects of a technological outcome that were not anticipated by its designers, which may be positive or negative and often appear after widespread use.

A Māori principle of guardianship and care for people and the environment, often considered when judging whether a technological outcome is appropriate and responsible.

The extent to which an outcome respects the values, practices and protocols of the people it affects, including Māori and other cultural groups in Aotearoa New Zealand.