Capstone Project

The Capstone Project is the culminating exercise of the GHD program that allows students to showcase all they have learned over the previous two academic years.  Through an immersive-six month process, they work with a development organization to deliver client-focused solutions to real problems that the organizations face.

Students can expect to hone the following skillsets:

• Program Management

• Data Analytics/Visualization

• Global Development Client Consulting

• Relationship Management

• Problem Identification and Solution Generation

• Sense-Making Tools

• Written and Oral Communication

The capstone project is associated with the Management Analysis and Practice I and II (GHDP 5098 and GHDP 5099) course, which comprises 4.5 credits. During the second half of Fall Semester and the entirety of Spring Semester, second-year students will meet extensively with their client and with each other, and, at the conclusion of the course in the spring, will present a final oral and written deliverable to the client. They will then present their work to the GHD community in the Capstone Showcase in mid-May.

The general timeline of the capstone process is as follows:

• May of 1st year: Capstone Information Session

• September of 2nd year: Partner matching happy hour

• October of 2nd year: GHDP 5098 begins, and students select their teams and do prospective client outreach

• November of 2nd year: Prospectus due

• December of 2nd year: Storyboard and expanded outline due

• January of 2nd year: Literature review and situational analysis due

• February of 2nd year: First draft due

• March of 2nd year: Final report or heavy deck due

• April/May of 2nd year: Client presentation, capstone brief, and capstone showcase

You can view the GHD Capstone Tracker, which lists details about past projects, here.  Capstone pairings for the Class of 2024 can also be found here.

Resources:

Class of 2023 Capstone Showcase: Video here.

Class of 2024 Capstone Expressions of Interest (EOIs): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eKrwDhFpCD6x4SibqrW1P5X6ANujErKkLc4PI1vYL68/edit?usp=sharing 

Additional EOIs can be found here.

Class of 2024 Capstone Jumpstart Session (May 1, 2023):

You can view the slides HERE.

Class of 2024 Capstone Launch (September 6, 2023):

You can view the recording of the session HERE.

Class of 2024 Capstone Showcase (April 24, 2024):

You can view the recording of the showcase HERE.