Project Proposal

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Project Proposal

• School of Mechanical Engineering
• Final Year Project
• Semester 2, 2008
• Jeremy Leggoe

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Why prepare a project proposal?

• Failing to plan is planning to fail.
• The purpose of the project proposal is to
  establish the objectives of the project and the
  manner in which you plan to achieve those
  objectives.
• Set out your understanding of the context of the
  project.
• Identify specific tasks and the methods you will
  adopt to complete those tasks.
• Determine the sequence and schedule of tasks.

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Proposal Sections

• Cover Page
• Project Summary
• Introduction
• Plan
• Progress to Date
• References

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Project Summary

• In some respects, the most important element of
  the proposal
• For busy readers, the summary may be the only
  thing they read it will ALWAYS be the first
  thing they read
• The summary must capture the readers attention
  so take care in preparing it.
• The summary must provide a clear, concise
  description of
• The reasons for undertaking the project
• The project objectives
• The methods by which the objectives will be
  achieved
• The summary is limited to 200 words

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Introduction

• Provides the background information for the
  project.
• First element - the reasons for undertaking the
  project and the prevailing environment.
• why is the project necessary/ important?
• is there a specific organisation associated with
  the project (eg motorsports, a company, a
  research group)?
• Why is that organisation interested in the work? 
• Second element the current state of the art.
• The results (to date) of your literature review.
   
• Third element - the objectives of the project
• How will the proposed work advance the state of
  the art?
• Identify the ultimate goals as well as the short
  term goals.
•  

6
Research Plan

• The research plan sets out the process by which
  you will accomplish the project objectives.
• Break down the project into specific tasks, and
  describe the approach that will be taken to
  accomplishing each task.
• Experimental tasks describe equipment and
  techniques
• Modelling tasks identify software and computing
  resources
• Theoretical tasks identify approaches under
  consideration
• Design tasks identify tools or approaches  
• Be sure to discuss your plan with your supervisor
• Make sure the equipment is available.
• Evaluate the proposed scope of the project.  

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Timeline

• Need to plan very carefully, ideally using a
  Gantt chart.
• Consider the following key questions
• How long will each task take?
• How variable is the predicted time for each task?
• Which tasks can be done concurrently?
• Which tasks have prerequisites?
• Which tasks lie on the critical path?
• Update your Gantt chart throughout the life of
  the project.
• Tasks on the critical path must be evaluated and
  scheduled with great care!

8
Progress To Date

• Many of you will have made significant progress
  by the time the proposal falls due
• Provide early
• Experimental results
• Early design decisions
• Choices
• Discuss the effect of these early findings on the
  formulation of the objectives and the research
  plan.

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References

• Cite references in the text using the format
  (Author1, year).
• References should be included on a separate page
  (or pages)
• Prescribed formats 
• Format for journal/magazines articles
• Author1, A.B., Author2, A.B. Author 3, A.B.
  (Year), Journal Paper Title, Journal Name,
  Volume (Issue ), pp xx-yy.
• Format for Book Chapters or Papers published in a
  book
• Author1, A.B., Author2, A.B. Author 3. (Year),
  Book Chapter/Section Title, in Book Title,
  editors Editor1, A.B. Editor 2, A.B.,
  Publisher, pp xx-yy.

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Template

• The template is now provided as a word document
  at the unit website
• You are required to adhere to the prescribed
  format
• Font 12 point times
• 1.5 spacing
• Bold for headings, underline for subheadings
• 2.5 cm margins all around
• Provide your student name and number in the
  footer.
• You are required to adhere to the prescribed
  limits
• Project Summary 200 words
• Proposal length aim for 4-6 pages, but a fixed
  limit is not imposed

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Grading

• The grading scheme for project proposals will be
  posted on the website (hopefully by 9/12).
• All supervisors will be required to mark to this
  scheme.
• All supervisors will be required to advise you of
  your project proposal grade, and should provide
  feedback on your project proposal.