Planning your ProjectPlanning your Project

Managing your 333T Managing your 333T project is like project is like managing any managing any professional projectprofessional project

Project TasksProject Tasks (next couple of (next couple of weeks)weeks)

Define the problem or need (and client)Define the problem or need (and client) Forecast solutionsForecast solutions Identify research questions (define scope)Identify research questions (define scope) Establish evaluation criteria (define scope)Establish evaluation criteria (define scope)

AudienceAudience

Most important questions

for the engineering communicator:

Broad Types of AudiencesBroad Types of Audiences

Most of your audiences will fall into one Most of your audiences will fall into one of three general categories:of three general categories: Decision-MakersDecision-Makers AdvisorsAdvisors ImplementersImplementers

Defining a Project: Stage 1Defining a Project: Stage 1

Define the problem or need for a client

Forecast solutionsProject idea

Post project idea on “Message Board” by 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 26!

Respond to another idea by Thurs. the 27th.

Defining a Project: Stage 2 Defining a Project: Stage 2 (Project Description)(Project Description)

Choose specific solutions (be as specific Choose specific solutions (be as specific as possible)as possible)

Identify the research questions (scope), as Identify the research questions (scope), as much as possible.much as possible.

Establish some selection criteria.Establish some selection criteria.

Sample project description

Defining the Problem or NeedDefining the Problem or Need

Dams in Brushy Creek are out of compliance with current regulations.

Forecasting SolutionsForecasting Solutions

General Solution: Upgrade the dams

Specific Solutions??

State the most likely possibilities in your Project Description!

Identifying the Research Identifying the Research QuestionsQuestions

1. What are ways to “update” dams?

Answering this question enables you to choose alternative solutions

Answer this question in project description.

In sample project description, possible solutions are spillways and outlet works.

Identifying the Research Identifying the Research QuestionsQuestions

Once you identify possible solutions, you can begin to outline scope of work.

Identifying specific solutions leads to further research questions:

2. What are the costs and complexity of constructing these particular upgrades?

Establishing Selection CriteriaEstablishing Selection Criteria• Critical to all decision-making.

• Where will you have lunch today?

Criteria are Measuring Tools: Criteria are Measuring Tools: Measure Feasibility of SolutionsMeasure Feasibility of Solutions

Standard categories of Standard categories of selection criteriaselection criteria:: Time to implementTime to implement CostCost Size/Weight/Other Size/Weight/Other

physical aspectsphysical aspects Adaptability/CompatibilityAdaptability/Compatibility EfficiencyEfficiency

Determining ScopeDetermining Scope

What information do I read?What information do I read? Where will I look for it?Where will I look for it?

On web or in print?On web or in print? To whom will I talk?To whom will I talk? What will I observe?What will I observe? Will I do testing?Will I do testing? Will I administer surveys?Will I administer surveys?

Problem

topic

Project Description: Project Description: ScopeScopeThe scope of my project involves evaluating the

selected dam and the area around it and assessing

possible solutions to meet TNRCC dam-safety

regulations. I will research the TNRCC code

requirements for such dams, look at different ways

to update an already existing dam structure, and

rank the pros and cons of each solution. The two

alternative solutions that look the best right now are

spillways and outlet works.

Project Description:Project Description: Limitations Limitations

I will not consider the technical calculations involved

in evaluating the dam structure itself, nor will I

examine the amount of loss possible if the dam

failed. I will assume the dam being considered is

typical of earthen structures used for such purposes.

I will choose one of the dams classified as high

hazard in order to propose solutions specific to the

dam in question.

Project FrameworkProject Framework (graded assignments)(graded assignments)

Define the problem

Forecast solutions

Identify the research question

Establish selection criteria

Establish final research methods

Research and interpret information

Reach conclusions

Arrive at recommendation

Memo

Proposal

Oral Progressreport

Report draft

Final reportPresentation

You can use writing to plan and You can use writing to plan and develop your project!develop your project!

Writing Writing in stagesin stages helps answer many helps answer many critical questions:critical questions:

• • What is it you really want to say?What is it you really want to say?

• • What will convince your audience?What will convince your audience?

• • What data/info. do you still need toWhat data/info. do you still need to collect?collect?

• • Does your methodology hold up?Does your methodology hold up?

Possible Research MethodsPossible Research Methods

Conduct tests

Observe

Solicit expert opinion

Collect and synthesize information from published and unpublished sources

Make calculations

Create preliminary designs

Guidelines for ProjectsGuidelines for Projects

Don’t do a design projectDon’t do a design project You may use design to come up with You may use design to come up with

solutions. Sometimes you have to design in solutions. Sometimes you have to design in order to figure out results (e.g., cost), order to figure out results (e.g., cost), especially for a feasibility project.especially for a feasibility project.

Use design this way:Use design this way:

Design Solutions Evaluation

Don’tDon’t Use Design this WayUse Design this Way

Solutions Design Criteria Designas finalproduct

More GuidelinesMore Guidelines

Start with client: a decision-maker (usually Start with client: a decision-maker (usually upper management)upper management)

Try not to have relatives as the actual Try not to have relatives as the actual client. Use the relative’s problem and try client. Use the relative’s problem and try to create a less personal audience/reader. to create a less personal audience/reader.

DefinitionsDefinitions ConstraintsConstraints: legal and regulatory requirements: legal and regulatory requirements

Research these firstResearch these first

CriteriaCriteria: ways of comparing and measuring possible : ways of comparing and measuring possible solution (s)solution (s)

ScopeScope: areas of your investigation: areas of your investigation Based on the possible solutions you will investigate and the Based on the possible solutions you will investigate and the

criteria you have chosen to measure and compare those criteria you have chosen to measure and compare those solutionssolutions

LimitationsLimitations: what you will : what you will notnot research . . . but might be research . . . but might be expected to.expected to. You may not have any.You may not have any.

In lab this week . . .In lab this week . . .

• Team discussions of individual projects. • Work on project descriptions.• Instructions on developing and writing project descriptions (due Monday).