One of the main lessons I learned was always schedule and prepare for the worst. I was on track from the beginning of the course till I handed in my project scope package and after the initial meeting with the project advisor, we came to an understanding that I needed to spend a lot of hours learning and doing tutorials on how to work with the surfaces tool in solidworks. Initially we had scheduled two weeks for me learning the software on my own, but it took me closer to three and a half weeks to learn how to use the surface features correctly.
Another lesson I learned was I still have a lot to study and learn to improve my skills and knowledge level for solidworks and cad drawings as this took a long time to create. After I was comfortable doing most of the steps required, I started working on the VW Beetle body. This was a major challege as the shape of the Beetle was unique and had a lot of flowing panels and oblique shapes to it. Doing the dimensions in the drawings was next to impossible due to the 3d spline use and the unique curve designs for the panels could not easily be dimensioned. Also there were a lot of panels that I needed to create in order to complete my CAD modelling of the VW Beetle car. This took more time to do than I thought.
The third lesson I learned was the importance of time management and to stay on top of the weekly tasks that are due in the gantt chart. Throughout this project, I had several complications and setbacks. From the start of the model creation, extra time required for me to create the 3D rendering of the VW Beetle to change from the initial drawings to the final render to the mismanagement of the EVA analysis, all these issues could have been avoided if I was on top of these tasks from the beginning and managed my time to complete these and other tasks on time or preferably well before the due date.
Another lesson learned is I need to improve my task management skills. I need to manage multiple projects and tasks at the same time and identify and prioritize which tasks are important and which can be attended to at a later time.
Towards the end, I had better communication with the project advisor and my overall confidence to complete the project improved with proper understanding of what was required of me and of what needed to be done in order for me to complete this course. Proper communication with all the stakeholders is key to completing any project.