Planning your project

EPF1 Aims and objectives “4. What are the aims and objectives of your selected project? (maximum of 4 objectives)” What is an aim? What is an objective?

EPF1 Aims and objectives What does SMART stand for?

EPF1 Aims and objectives What is the aim of your project? Can you list some objectives too?

EPF2a Extended project plan “All learners are required to produce an initial project plan. This is the forward planning tool that will help define the development of the project. Students are free to devise their own project plan as long as the following are included: Key tasks and activities Targets and milestones Dates and deadlines  The initial project plan could be in any format, e.g. Gantt chart”

Changes to Initial Project Plan EPF2b Changes to project plan Any changes to the Project Plan during the development of the project should be recorded on a separate sheet. A sample template is provided but you can adapt the form and tailor to your needs. Dates Changes to Initial Project Plan  

EPF2d Record and review of individual progress During the development of your project, you should record and review at least three milestones/SMART target that you have achieved, altered or not achieved. You must also record in detail, any action(s) taken in responding to the challenge(s) or in solving the issue(s).   Note: This should be used in conjunction with your Project Plan. Please expand boxes or rows as required (see overleaf).

Milestones & targets achieved, altered or not achieved EPF2d Record and review of individual progress Dates Milestones & targets achieved, altered or not achieved Review & actions taken  

Timelines Developing a realistic and manageable plan for your project is important, with associated deadlines to ensure that you reach your goal of achieving an A* for your full portfolio. The examiners want to see evidence of a long term forward plan and reflection on this planning.

How can you provide the best planning evidence? Your plan must be _________! Try and create a ________ that will allow you to evidence the process of research and project management Think about what you need to plan e.g. building an_________ , planning an experiment, collecting different types of sources (e.g. interviews, survey ______ etc.) Think about timings – use the task calendar to help artefact, data, plan, useful

Ways of planning What different ways can you think of planning? e.g. how do you plan: shopping for a recipe? shopping for Christmas presents? organising a social event? completing homework on time meeting up with friends or family?

Starting point o Identify all the tasks that need to be completed during the development of your project. You may wish to break some tasks down into subtasks. o Identify how long each task takes o Consider the order that tasks should be completed in o Present your project plan in a format (see previous list). Make sure that your timeline fits with the school deadlines. o Monitor the progress of your project against this plan, and adapt if necessary.

What is a Gantt chart? A Gantt chart is a popular project planning tool. Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the tasks that make up the project. The advantage over a basic timeline is that the chart allows tasks to be overlapped where they are completed in parallel. This is useful when a project is complex and contains many different tasks to manage. Gantt charts can be used to show current schedule status using percent-complete shadings and a vertical "TODAY" line as shown here. A useful Gantt charting tool can be found at: http://www.smartsheet.com/

Problems with planning What problems might you experience in creating a plan? Complete “A matter of timing: improving your time management”

What I learned from the lesson Review of the lesson Write the date on your notes and then complete the form: What I learned from the lesson Review and reflection

Self study/homework for next week: Finish all the activities from today if you have not already done so. Complete EPF1, start EPF 2a, 2c, 2d and 2e If you have not already done so you should arrange a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your chosen format and your working title – take your folder to show them. Continue with your on-line course