- Summarize The Project – Take all the information on the project that you have thus far and summarize it briefly, using your own words, in an opening paragraph. This not only helps you get a clearer concept of the project in your own mind but also gives confidence that you’ve given it thought and understand what is wanted. It also provides a solid opportunity for me to clarify in case you didn’t understand.
- Break Down The Project Into A “To Do” List – After your summary, follow-up with a solid “To Do” list, which is very useful for both your group and me. Be thorough in your list. It will help you make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Use the list in your project updates and cross things off as you move along.
- Split The Project Into Phases – After your “to do” list, split the project up into a number of clearly defined phases. I recommend starting out with a minimum of three. Your first phase might be the “Initial First Draft”. During this phase, you begin work on the project and end the phase with a first draft for testing and revision. Your next phase, in a simple 3 phase project, is revising – During this phase the project is tested and revisions are made until you and viewers are happy with the work and it’s ready for action. Your last phase is presentation to the class and the public.
- Create A Timeline – Once you’ve gone over the project phases, estimate approximately how long you expect the project to take. Be generous (overestimate if need be) and then strive to finish up ahead of time. While a project may only take you a few hours to finish up, keep in mind that there will be waiting time between the initial drafts and the finished project as others review the work and provide feedback.
- Estimate Your Time Involved – While not useful for all project types, giving an estimate of time involved is useful for most and helps you know exactly what to plan ahead for. Be generous, but honest.
2 comments for “Project Proposal Format”