Satie AiraméBren School, Assistant Dean for

Academic Programs

Winter 2012

Group Project Defense Guidelines

Timeline of DeliverablesDate DeliverableFeb 24 Due to advisor: Draft reportMar 2 & 9 Group Project defensesMar 8 Due to GP Coordinator: Abstract for Presentation

ProgramMar 23 Due to GP Coordinator: Final report with all

signatures (hard copy and pdf), project brief (hard copy and pdf), poster (pdf), and Faculty Advisor Evaluation Form

Mar 23 Due to advisor & GP Coordinator: Peer evaluationsApr 9-11 Practice presentationsApr 13 Group Project presentations; after presentation, give

GP Coordinator hard copy of poster

Defense ScheduleDate Time GroupMarch 2 12-12:45 pm Sea level riseMarch 2 1-1:45 pm Chile salmonMarch 2 2-2:45 pm AdaptationMarch 2 3-3:45 pm AquariusMarch 2 4-4:45 pm NanjingMarch 9 9-9:45 am Waste waterMarch 9 10-10:45 am ComsolMarch 9 11-11:45 am Deckers waterMarch 9 1-1:45 pm Tejon fireMarch 9 2-2:45 pm Got milkMarch 9 3-3:45 pm AngelesMarch 9 4-4:45 pm Coral reefMarch 12 9-9:45 am AECOM energy

Goal and Audience

• Goal: Demonstrate the academic contribution of your group project

• Audience: – Two independent faculty reviewers – Faculty advisor

• Open to the public• If you would like your external advisory

committee to attend, you should invite them.

Focus

• Focus on project results– Also data, methodology, and

conclusions• Avoid sinking time into:

– extensive background – detailed explanations of methods with

which the reviewers likely are familiar• Avoid flashy animations

Planning the Defense• 45 minutes total

– for presentation and questions• 20-25 minutes of presentation

– 2 speakers, preferred– 3 speakers, need to practice seamless

transitions• 20-25 minutes of questions

– From reviewers– Targeted to entire group

• If there is time left over, then the public may ask questions

Defense Elements

*Actual number of slides may vary, depending on the project!

Topic*Approx. # of slides

Title slide 1Problem and/or questions 3Objectives 1Data sources 3Methodology 5Results 3-5Analysis of results (link to objectives) 3-5Conclusions and/or recommendations 1Acknowledgments 1Total 20-25

Project title

Group project membersAdvisor

Group Project DefenseBren School of Environmental Science & Management

Date

Introduction

• Problem/questions– Clearly state problem and/or questions– Include sufficient background to motivate

the need for your project– Do not give a comprehensive description of

the context• Objectives

– Clearly identify project objectives– Each objective should be linked to data,

methodology, and results

Data & Methodology

• Data sources– Identify data sources used– Describe the data relevance, completeness

and gaps• Methodology

– Explain what methods (including quantitative analyses) were used to analyze the data

– Explain why you chose these methods

Results

• Present results – Include tables, figures, and graphics to show

quantitative results– Fully explain tables and figures

• Analyze your results– What do the results mean?

• Articulate how the results are linked to your original objectives

The Ending

• Conclusions/Recommendations– Summarize key findings– Describe implications of your findings– If appropriate, provide recommendations to

your client based on your findings– Identify lingering or new questions and next

steps• Acknowledgments

– Thank your advisors, funders, and collaborators

Questions• Identify potential questions and discuss

appropriate responses• Divide topics such that each group member

plans to cover topics with which s/he is most familiar

• Select a facilitator to manage questions• The facilitator should

– know topics that group members will address– repeat questions for the audience using the

microphone – quickly select the group member(s) to respond

to the question

Strategies for Q+A• Repeat the question to clarify the question and

give yourself and your group time to think about the response.

• Directly and succinctly answer questions.• If you don’t know the answer, say so.

– Provide other related information, if you have it.– Ask reviewers or audience if they have information to

help answer the question.– Investigate the question further (after the defense),

if the response has important implications for your project.

• Do not fabricate responses to questions if you don’t know the answer!

Evaluation

• Independent reviewers will:– Ask questions– Provide oral and written feedback to

students and advisor• Students are expected to incorporate

reviewers’ feedback into your final papers

Evaluation Questions (1)

• Were the problem and/or questions clearly presented?

• Were project objectives clear and attainable?

• Were data sources appropriate and reliable?

• Was methodology clearly presented and justified?

• Were quantitative methods appropriate?

Evaluation Questions (2)

• Were results clearly presented?• Did the interpretations of results

satisfactorily address the problem and/or questions posed?

• Were any weaknesses or limitations in the analyses appropriately addressed?

• Were conclusions and/or recommendations justified?

Evaluation Questions (3)

• What parts of the presentation lacked information or were unclear?

• What parts of the presentation were most engaging or intriguing?

• Did the group members answer questions effectively?

• What recommendations, if any, do you have for the group?

• Do you have any other comments or concerns?