A Proposal for Introducing Optional CDIO Standards

The first version of the CDIO standards was presented in 2005 (Brodeur & Crawley, 2005). The aim of this paper is to explore if meeting current CDIO standards still corresponds to the expectations placed on graduates from leading engineering programs worldwide. In the paper, we first identify engineering competencies that are claimed to be essential both today and in the future, focusing on competencies whose relative importance have grown since the early 2000’s. We also identify pedagogical practices that aim to develop these particular competences. We then propose that these emerging skills and best practices should be incorporated in CDIO as “optional” CDIO standards. Whereas the original or “basic” CDIO standards are scoped with the expectations of a bachelor program in mind, an “optional” CDIO standard ndicates a more advanced or broadened competence. A set of potential optional CDIO standards is enumerated. Seven of the potential optional CDIO standards are then elaborated in the same format as the current standards, i.e., with a description, rationale and suggested evidence