Testing, evaluating and product analysis

How do you know if your design is any good? Test it against the specification and ask the people it was made for.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)

Testing against the specification

Go through your specification point by point and test each one.
For 'It must hold at least 20 pencils', put 20 pencils in it. For 'It must weigh less than 200 g', weigh it.
Record the results honestly, with evidence such as measurements, photos and comments. Say clearly whether each point was met, partly met or not met.

User feedback

Ask the intended user and other stakeholders to try the product.
Use questions that get useful answers: 'What did you find difficult?' is better than 'Do you like it?'.
Feedback leads to refinements: changes that improve the design. Explain what you would change and why.

Product analysis

Product analysis means investigating an existing product to learn from it. Use ACCESS FM as a guide:
Who is it for? What does it do, and how well? What is it made from, and why? How was it made? How does it look? How much does it cost? What is its impact on the environment?
Analysing products helps you find ideas, spot problems and set your own specification.
Worked example

A specification says 'The bag must hold an A4 folder'. The finished bag holds an A4 folder, but the user says it is hard to get the folder out. Evaluate this point.

  1. Test result: the A4 folder fits, so the specification point is met.
  2. However, user feedback shows a problem with how easily it can be used.
  3. A refinement would be to make the opening wider or add a zip along the top.

Answer: Met, because an A4 folder fits; but the user found it hard to remove, so widen the opening as a refinement.

Key idea

Evaluate by testing every specification point with evidence, then getting feedback from users and stakeholders. Use feedback to suggest refinements. Product analysis uses ACCESS FM to learn from existing products.

Key words
Product analysis
Investigating an existing product to learn how and why it was designed and made.
Specification
A list of measurable requirements that a product must meet.
ACCESS FM
A checklist for specifications and product analysis: Aesthetics, Cost, Customer, Environment, Size, Safety, Function, Materials.

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Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. A specification says a box must hold 20 pencils. How should you evaluate this?

    1. Ask if it looks nice
    2. Put 20 pencils in it and record the result
    3. Check its colour
    4. Guess
    Show the answer

    Answer: Put 20 pencils in it and record the result

    Test each point with evidence.

  2. Which is the best evidence that a lamp is stable?

    1. It looks heavy
    2. It is made of metal
    3. A record of it staying upright when tilted to a set angle
    4. The designer likes it
    Show the answer

    Answer: A record of it staying upright when tilted to a set angle

    Evidence comes from a fair test.

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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