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<Elementary> Lesson No.7

Technical Specification Decision in International Joint Development Project / 国際共同開発プロジェクトの技術仕様決定

0.Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)|挨拶と導入

 

0-1 Greetings

Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.

講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。

[Tips / 会話のヒント]

・Can you hear me clearly? 

 私の声はクリアに聞こえますか?
・How's your day going so far?

 今日はどんな一日でしたか?
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)

 軽い話題について話しましょう(仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど)

0-2 Introduction​

In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?

本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか?​

​​

- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.

   経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。 

- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.

  What do you think would be challenging?

  経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか?

Situation / シチュエーション

This involves determining optimal technical specifications for new products in joint development projects with overseas companies considering various regulatory requirements.
海外企業との共同開発において、各国の規制要求を考慮しながら新製品の技術仕様を決定する場面です。

1. Read (2 min)|型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう!

1-1 Basic phrases
1.Let me explain our approach(私たちのアプローチを説明させてください)
2.We reviewed the regulatory requirements from...(...の規制要件を確認しました)
3.We identified the common technical standards(共通の技術基準を特定しました)
4.We designed the specifications to meet...(...を満たす仕様を設計しました)
5.The cost increase happens for...(...のためにコスト増加が起こります)
6.We prepared a cost reduction plan(コスト削減計画を準備しました)
7.We can complete the design verification testing in...(...で設計検証試験を完了できます)

1-2 Essential words
1.explain(説明する)
2.approach(アプローチ)
3.review(確認する)
4.identify(特定する)
5.design(設計する)
6.increase(増加)
7.reduce(削減する)
8.prepare(準備する)
9.complete(完了する)
10.approve(承認する)
2. Try  (3 min)|ロールプレイ練習

Let’s practice the role-play.

ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves determining optimal technical specifications for new products in joint development projects with overseas companies considering various regulatory requirements.
海外企業との共同開発において、各国の規制要求を考慮しながら新製品の技術仕様を決定する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Thanks for joining today's technical review. We need to finalize the device specifications for the joint development project. Our team is concerned about meeting both FDA and CE marking requirements while keeping the cost reasonable.
(本日の技術レビューにご参加いただきありがとうございます。共同開発プロジェクトの機器仕様を確定する必要があります。私たちのチームは、コストを妥当に保ちながら、FDAとCEマーキングの両方の要件を満たすことを懸念しています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Let me explain our approach. First, we reviewed the regulatory requirements from both regions. Second, we identified the common technical standards. Third, we designed the specifications to meet both requirements without adding unnecessary features.
(ご懸念は理解しております。私たちのアプローチを説明させてください。第一に、両地域の規制要件を確認しました。第二に、共通の技術基準を特定しました。第三に、不要な機能を追加することなく両方の要件を満たす仕様を設計しました。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I heard the material cost will increase by 15 percent compared to our current model. Can you explain why we need this cost increase?
(それは妥当に聞こえます。しかし、材料コストが現行モデルと比較して15パーセント増加すると聞きました。なぜこのコスト増加が必要なのか説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
The cost increase happens for two important reasons. First, the new biocompatible material is required by both FDA and European regulations for long-term implant safety. Second, the improved sensor component ensures accurate measurement in different patient conditions. These changes directly support the regulatory approval and product quality.
(コスト増加には2つの重要な理由があります。第一に、新しい生体適合性材料は、長期埋め込みの安全性のためにFDAと欧州規制の両方で要求されています。第二に、改良されたセンサー部品は、異なる患者状態での正確な測定を保証します。これらの変更は、規制承認と製品品質を直接支援します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
I see the technical reasons, but our management is pushing back on the budget. Is there any way to reduce the cost while keeping the core specifications?
(技術的な理由は分かりますが、私たちの経営陣は予算に難色を示しています。中核仕様を維持しながらコストを削減する方法はありますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
Yes, we prepared a cost reduction plan. We can reduce the manufacturing cost by 8 percent if we use a shared production line with our existing product. We also found that changing the packaging design will reduce the shipping cost by 3 percent. These changes will not affect the device performance or regulatory compliance.
(はい、コスト削減計画を準備しました。既存製品と共有生産ラインを使用すれば、製造コストを8パーセント削減できます。また、パッケージデザインを変更することで、輸送コストを3パーセント削減できることが分かりました。これらの変更は、機器の性能や規制適合性に影響しません。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That helps, but we still need to confirm the final timeline. When can we complete the design verification testing?
(それは助かりますが、最終的なタイムラインを確認する必要があります。設計検証試験をいつ完了できますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can complete the design verification testing in 4 months if you approve the specifications by the end of this month. After your approval, we will start the testing immediately. The risk is that any specification change after approval will delay the timeline by at least 6 weeks.
(今月末までに仕様を承認していただければ、4か月で設計検証試験を完了できます。ご承認後、直ちに試験を開始します。リスクは、承認後の仕様変更が少なくとも6週間タイムラインを遅らせることです。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Understood. Your explanation is clear and the cost reduction plan is helpful. Let me discuss this with our management team and get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your detailed preparation.
(承知しました。あなたの説明は明確で、コスト削減計画は役立ちます。私たちの経営チームとこれを議論し、今週末までにご連絡します。詳細な準備に感謝します。)
3. Use  (4 min)|ロールプレイ & 実践(空欄補完)

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves determining optimal technical specifications for new products in joint development projects with overseas companies considering various regulatory requirements.
海外企業との共同開発において、各国の規制要求を考慮しながら新製品の技術仕様を決定する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Thanks for joining today's technical review. We need to finalize the device specifications for the joint development project. Our team is concerned about meeting both FDA and CE marking requirements while keeping the cost reasonable.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I understand your concern. Let me [説明する] our [アプローチ]. First, we [確認した] the regulatory requirements from both regions. Second, we [特定した] the common technical standards. Third, we [設計した] the specifications to meet both requirements without adding unnecessary features.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I heard the material cost will increase by 15 percent compared to our current model. Can you explain why we need this cost increase?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
The cost [増加] happens for two important reasons. First, the new biocompatible material is [要求される] by both FDA and European regulations for long-term implant safety. Second, the improved sensor component ensures accurate measurement in different patient conditions. These changes directly support the regulatory approval and product quality.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
I see the technical reasons, but our management is pushing back on the budget. Is there any way to reduce the cost while keeping the core specifications?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
Yes, we [準備した] a cost reduction plan. We can [削減する] the manufacturing cost by 8 percent if we use a shared production line with our existing product. We also found that changing the packaging [設計] will [削減する] the shipping cost by 3 percent. These changes will not affect the device performance or regulatory compliance.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That helps, but we still need to confirm the final timeline. When can we complete the design verification testing?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can [完了する] the design verification testing in 4 months if you [承認する] the specifications by the end of this month. After your approval, we will start the testing immediately. The risk is that any specification change after approval will delay the timeline by at least 6 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Understood. Your explanation is clear and the cost reduction plan is helpful. Let me discuss this with our management team and get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your detailed preparation.
4. Challenge (7 min)|応用実践

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.

  このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves determining optimal technical specifications for new products in joint development projects with overseas companies considering various regulatory requirements.
海外企業との共同開発において、各国の規制要求を考慮しながら新製品の技術仕様を決定する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Thanks for joining today's technical review. We need to finalize the device specifications for the joint development project. Our team is concerned about meeting both FDA and CE marking requirements while keeping the cost reasonable.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
I understand your concern. [私たちのアプローチを説明させてください。] [第一に、両地域の規制要件を確認しました。] [第二に、共通の技術基準を特定しました。] [第三に、不要な機能を追加することなく両方の要件を満たす仕様を設計しました。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That sounds reasonable. However, I heard the material cost will increase by 15 percent compared to our current model. Can you explain why we need this cost increase?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
The cost increase happens for two important reasons. First, the new biocompatible material is required by both FDA and European regulations for long-term implant safety. Second, the improved sensor component ensures accurate measurement in different patient conditions. These changes directly support the regulatory approval and product quality.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
I see the technical reasons, but our management is pushing back on the budget. Is there any way to reduce the cost while keeping the core specifications?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
Yes, we prepared a cost reduction plan. We can reduce the manufacturing cost by 8 percent if we use a shared production line with our existing product. We also found that changing the packaging design will reduce the shipping cost by 3 percent. These changes will not affect the device performance or regulatory compliance.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
That helps, but we still need to confirm the final timeline. When can we complete the design verification testing?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Design Engineer】:
We can complete the design verification testing in 4 months if you approve the specifications by the end of this month. After your approval, we will start the testing immediately. The risk is that any specification change after approval will delay the timeline by at least 6 weeks.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager (US)】:
Understood. Your explanation is clear and the cost reduction plan is helpful. Let me discuss this with our management team and get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your detailed preparation.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try(余力があればやってみましょう)/
5. Real-world application (5 min)|実務応用

Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。​

Situation / シチュエーション
You are discussing technical specifications for a joint development project with an international partner.
Your team needs to reach agreement on device specifications that meet regulatory requirements from multiple regions.
あなたは国際パートナーと共同開発プロジェクトの技術仕様について議論しています。
あなたのチームは、複数地域の規制要件を満たす機器仕様について合意に達する必要があります。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Project Manager】:
We need to finalize the technical specifications today. Can you explain your team's proposal and how it addresses both regulatory requirements and cost concerns?
(本日、技術仕様を確定する必要があります。あなたのチームの提案と、それが規制要件とコストの懸念の両方にどのように対処するか説明していただけますか?)

🧑‍🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)

Hints / ヒント
1.Explain the technical approach(技術的アプローチを説明する)
2.Describe the cost structure(コスト構造を述べる)
3.Present the cost reduction plan(コスト削減計画を提示する)
4.Clarify the timeline and conditions(タイムラインと条件を明確にする)
​※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
 このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6.  Wrap-up (2 min) |レッスンの振り返り

Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!

 

6-1 Comments from student

・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

 

6-2 Feedback from teacher

・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント

 

*6-3 Questions from student (if any)

Japanese translation(日本語訳)

1. Read (2min)(型を学ぶ)|基本フレーズ

2. Try  (4min)(ロールプレイ練習)|型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

3. Use  (7min)|応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

4. Challenge (7min)|実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り

"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”

「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!」

5-1.  Comments from Student

  - Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ

  - Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

5-2.  Feedback from Teacher

  - Good points / 良かった点

  - Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント

  - What to review / 復習ポイント

5-3. Question from Students (If any)

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