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The Initial Report

Preparation Guidelines

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The Initial Report

Definition of project scope

Project aims and objectives

Initial project plan

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Initial Report - Definition of project scope

introduction to the subject area

current research and/or developments in the field

identify a gap (something worth doing)

identify how your work fills this gap (or at least makes some progress towards this)

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Initial Report - Project Aims and Objectives

Aim• a broad statement of intent that defines your project’s

purpose

• identifies, at the highest level, what you hope to achieve overall

» e.g. “To re-engineer an existing Transportation Management System using web technology in order that access, functionality and efficiency are improved”

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Initial Report - Project Aims and Objectives

Objective• specific measurable achievements you need to make that

move you towards your project aim.

• they will direct your work activity

• e.g.

» To investigate and evaluate the current system and identify where aspects of web technology could be best employed.

» To design a system using the latest …..

» To implement the system based on the client/server model.

» …

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Initial Report - Initial Project Plan

Points to consider…

should focus on outcomes and deliverables of your project• e.g. literature review, requirements specification, prototype, EoS

presentation. should reflect your approach / technical strategy :

» incremental development? waterfall? prototyping? spiral approach? UML? SSADM?

resources• hardware, software, documentation, data files, ...

project milestones• key dates (report hand-in, prototype available, finish coding, …)

activity durations and dates

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Initial Report - Initial Project Plan

Format:

listing of project activities, with start date, end date and duration

explanation of each activity, if required

graphical summary of plan in form of bar chart (e.g. via MS Project)

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Initial Report

One possible structure:

Title page• Project title, name, student number, supervisor name, course and date

Introduction• project background

• current research and developments in project area

• where your project fits in Aims and objectives

• amplified as necessary Project plan

• proposed approach, resources required, activity plan

size: in the region of 4-6 pages

format: title page + body of report, stapled

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Summary

Initial Report to be submitted to Project Supervisor and Me• Deadline is End of Week 5, Semester 1.

You should receive feedback from your supervisor• Usually within two weeks of submission

Complete a Risk Assessment form for your project• Available on the module website• Deadline is End of Week 5, Semester 1. • Leave complete form in the School Office (16G24) for me to collect• Any questions, consult your supervisor

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The Interim Report

The Project Monitoring and Control Report

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Revisit the Planning Parameters identified in your Initial Report

Monitor Schedule Resources Commitments Risks Stakeholder Involvement Any other parameters identified in your plan

Then Analyse any issues Report on the corrective action taken Update objectives if necessary Update Gantt chart

4-6 pages