The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

colporteur — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 23:00:13 GMT

I found your submission humorous and rather familiar.

Here I thought I was a lone lemming running off a cliff when I come to putting pen to paper in order to develop a RoadTest application. Then I look over and see your writing and I have a sense of relief knowing I won't be the only person at the bottom.

Thanks for sharing.

Sean

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

geralds — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 12:11:29 GMT

Oh dear.... [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-2c51a5aa-3169-48fe-8366-a2ea7fdb31ab/contentimage_5F00_53.png:16:16] some times searching was a strange happening.

Searching thru the universe [View:/resized-image/__size/559x335/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-2c51a5aa-3169-48fe-8366-a2ea7fdb31ab/contentimage_5F00_188535.gif:559:335]

was often a searching thru black holes...[View:/resized-image/__size/201x200/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-2c51a5aa-3169-48fe-8366-a2ea7fdb31ab/contentimage_5F00_188536.jpg:201:200]

But i found it:E36313A Triple Output DC P.S.

So i think, that is what i need for developing my projects.

Yes of course, there are big of them www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/images/153735main_image_feature_626_ys_full.jpg

https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_626.html

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST/science/neutron_stars.html

but i don't need it.

I think the E36313A is enough for the most application in my electronic laboratory.

http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5992-2472EN.pdf?id=2894214

I think after my review I'll buy a second E36313A, if some application needs this.

Best Regards

Gerald

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RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

rachaelp — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 11:15:36 GMT

Hi Doug,

This is a great write up of how to approach writing a good road test proposal! My approach is similar and I am very picky about which road tests I apply for. I only apply for products that I am passionate about and that does make writing the proposal a lot easier.

I too was one of the lucky ones to win the Keysight E3613A power supply road test and writing this proposal was made easier by me having previously studied all the available documentation as it was something on my list of equipment I would love for my lab, and I was impressed by it's features from the first time I saw it announced, so when I saw it come up in a road test I was very excited. I think having genuine passion for the product really helps rather than just wanting it because its "free" kit.

I agree with you, I think investing this time up front helps with having a commitment to the process of doing a thorough road test. I haven't yet gone as far as buying and building test boards to prove my testing concepts prior to submitting an application, but for one of my other applications which I have yet to hear back about I have spent quite a bit of time researching and planning some pieces I wish to build as part of my road test, and these will hopefully form interesting blog posts in their own right as some point too.

Best Regards,

Rachael

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

Instructorman — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 19:22:42 GMT

[mention:193ac2434c814a24b46635a2210baec1:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05], thank you, you have contributed a brilliant description of a successful and replicable process that can lead to the creation of a winning road test proposal. Not a guaranteed process, of course, because there are too many confounding variables in contests like road test, but you have provided a story of creation, in my opinion, that can be reproduced by aspiring road testers.

Reading your description was enjoyable partly because you artfully captured, in some detail, the process that I go through when considering and committing to develop a road test proposal.

I will assert that following the steps you have outlined can increase chances of being selected for a road test because I've used the same steps to write winning applications.

Well done.

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

jw0752 — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 03:30:23 GMT

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for the insights into a great mind at work.

John

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

genebren — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:04:37 GMT

Douglas,

Very nice write-up. Seeing the thought process and effort that you put into this it becomes much clearer why I was not chosen for this road test. I will have to crank my game up a bit more next time something this good comes around.

Good luck with your evaluations and postings! and enjoy your shinny new tool (I mean power supply)!

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

rscasny — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:03:20 GMT

Douglas,

I want to thank you for taking the time for writing this. I know you work full time. So, your timely effort is much appreciated.

I liked how you communicated your internal reflections regarding the roadtest and what ultimately led to a great proposal (application).

1. Finding the product interesting and having a need for it I think is one of the understated influences of a good roadtest application -- one that can win. If one does not have a need for it, it is perhaps less likely that he or she can write up a roadtesting plan or project. So, a potential roadtester should always consider what value it is them.

2. I try to post on the roadtest landing page the basic facts of the product. I sometimes add in links to documentation. But if one is serious about winning, he or she will do as you did go to the supplier's website and study the documentation, videos, etc. about it. This process will make you more knowledgeable about the product, but it will probably get your creative mind going in developing a roadtesting plan. THIS IS KEY. Why? A good roadtesting plan is what gets you on my short list for recommendations to the supplier. If we are going to give you a product that's woth up to $3,000 US or so, we want to feel you have taken the time to tell us what you are going to do with it.

3. I found your "doubting phase" interesting. Being worth one's time and/or is the roadtest "billable time" so much that you could buy it outright is something I think about as well. I have impressed by some roadtest reviewers who include videos, screenshots or even long explanations about the product to help the less knowledgeable. I guess my only response is: a roadtest not only gives you a chance for getting something for free, but it's a way to participate in the community. I would hope that the element14 community is a chance to learn, talk shop, network professionally, and even make some new friends. So some of the payback is intangible while the value to you (personally and professionally) is immeasurable.

4. Your proposal took some work. At first you weren't coming up with anything. Finally, you did. I think not doing this is ultimately the reason why so many applicants fail to ever win. Roadtesting is competitive. Your application is compared to others in order to get to the final selections. As such, it requires some time -- an investment in time -- to produce a good application. I see many 0 words to 1-sentence to 3 sentence applications. They don't give me any indication that much time was spent in writing up a plan. These applications usually will fail. I guess it comes down to a time issue. I can understand you may not have the time. But we see it as a participation issue as well. Hopefully the time spent in writing a good application will be a way to not only win but also as a way to particpate in the element14 community.

5. Finally, I like the way you broke down the proposal writing process into 3-stages. 1) Research, 2) The Plan and 3) Credibility. It is critical to have all three. I suspect having all three is what influenced the outcome for you.

Thanks.

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

three-phase — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:42:13 GMT

Great article,

And there in lies my problem, there is no way my little brain would have come up with those innovative ideas to test a power supply!

Kind regards

RE: The Story of a Power Proposal of the Supply Variety

mcb1 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 11:48:38 GMT

Nice writeup.

I guess I tend to go through similar stages ... except for the pre-purchasing.

I do like your part

at your labour rates, you could buy this device with a small fraction of the work of a road test

it does show that there are other tangibles in play ... ie money is not everything.

Cheers

Mark