Planning your project EPF 1 Aims and objectives

Planning your project

EPF 1 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?

EPF 1 Aims and objectives What does SMART stand for?

EPF 1 Aims and objectives • What is the aim of your project? • Can you list some objectives too? • Discuss these with your partner – remember that your objectives must be SMART • Record these on EPF 1 point 4

EPF 2 a 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”

EPF 2 b 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

EPF 2 d Record and review of individual progress During the development of your project, you should record and review at least three milestones/SMART targets 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). Use your objectives from EPF 1 and make sure they are in your plan too! Note: This should be used in conjunction with your Project Plan. Please expand boxes or rows as required (see overleaf).

EPF 2 d Record and review of individual progress Milestones & targets achieved, Review & actions Dates altered or not achieved 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. They EXPECT to see changes too!

How can you provide the best planning evidence? 1. Your plan must be _____! 2. Try and create a ____ that will allow you to evidence the process of research and project management 3. Think about what you need to plan e. g. building an_____ , planning an experiment, collecting different types of sources (e. g. interviews, survey ______ etc. ) 4. 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?

Possible ways of planning • • Write a list of tasks Write a list but then organise it into categories Use critical path planning (Maths, Business etc. ) Use a Gantt Chart Write a diary or journal Create a mind map (by hand or using software) Write a timeline

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. There are lots of examples on line.

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

Review of the lesson Complete the next line on EPF 2 c

Self study/homework for next week: 1. Finish all the activities from today if you have not already done so and write your first plan. 2. Complete EPF 1, start or add details to EPF 2 a, 2 c, 2 d & 2 e 3. Make sure that your aims and objectives are included in your plan and in EPF 2 d 4. Arrange a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your chosen format and your working title – take your folder to show them. 5. Continue with your MOOC. If you have learnt new skills you should write this in section 7 of EPF 1 and in the “Methodology” section of the project itself (EPF 3)