Feasibility Sequence
Total Points: 500
Client Analysis Due: 10/26, 50 points
Proposal Draft Due: 10/31, 200 points
Feasibility Report Due: 12/12, 200 points
Final Presentation Due: Variable, 50 points
For the rest of the semester, we will be working on an extended project that covers multiple workplace genres. Working with a client of your choice, you will conduct a feasibility study in order to make recommendations that solve some form of problem they're experiencing. In the process, you will write a client analysis, a proposal to conduct the research, a progress report, a recommendation report, and a final presentation.
Your first task is to select a client and a problem. I encourage you to think broadly about who this client might be and to, whenever possible, work on a project that you care about. Your client might be
a professional organization you're a member of
a sports team that you play for or are otherwise affiliated with
your fraternity or sorority
your major department
other campus organizations
your dorm or apartment complex
a nonprofit you do community service with
religious institutions
family businesses (but not family members)
You are also welcome to propose other clients that do not fit within any of the categories mentioned, with the understanding that these may not meet with approval.
There are a variety of ways to approach the "problem" component of this assignment. The most successful studies tend to compare three possible solutions in order to determine the best one, but there are also other ways to approach this. Past successful projects have included
public relations planning and development for a fraternity
renovation plans and contracting for a sorority bathroom
aesthetic renovations for a daycare interior
long-distance travel options and logistics for special-needs residents in a care facility
improved aspects of payroll systems for a parent's company
staffing procedures for a small, family-owned imports business
the best floors for a series of pig barns
an expansion study for a lighting business
planning to expand laundry facilities in an apartment complex
training development for a cheesemonger
Your project need not (and likely should not) mimic any of these. Rather, this list is meant to illustrate the variety of approaches that are possible in this assignment and the scope for a successful project. Note that all of these studies addressed a well-contained, manageable problem.
The first element of this sequence is the client analysis—otherwise known as an audience analysis. You still can find very precise instructions on how to do this in the book. This analysis is not complex, but it is vital. It should include client description, basic problem statement, and analysis.
Feasibility Project Proposal
Total Points: 200
Deadlines:
A proposal is a persuasive document that addresses the “ethos” of your client. That is, you should remember that this proposal is directed primarily at your client, not at me. How can you persuade them that they need your report? What problem do they face? A strong proposal must clearly identify the problem you are addressing along with either your proposed solution or your method for determining a solution.
The document should begin with a descriptive abstract and some sort of “map” to the material you plan to discuss. The key textual section in any proposal is the background statement, which establishes the larger context for your project. Address what you know, and most importantly, what you don’t know about the problem. Explain the reasons your report is needed to fill in the gaps in knowledge about the problem so your client can make an informed decision.
One possible schema for constructing a persuasive proposal is to use a descriptive feature-advantage-benefit approach. Describe the features of your project. Describe the advantages of your chosen approach over other possible approaches. Describe the benefits available to your client if they approach researching/examining the problem from the angles you recommend.
Information must be “chunked” into meaningful sections with appropriate heads and subheads. Design the document framework so the reader can flip around in it rather than just read it front-to-back. Time is precious—don’t count on your reader’s full attention.
Establish a professional tone and maintain it throughout the document. I expect these documents to be professionally produced, proofread and completely free from error. They should demonstrate a substantial exploration of the background of the problem and a well thought out description of your basic research methodologies. Include a rough timeline, including dates, which describes when you will accomplish the production of your report. And as usual, make sure that every word counts.
All proposals must be at least 4-6 pages in length (12 point type, single spaced paragraphs, double spaces in between paragraphs, ½ inch margins on sides, 1 inch margins top and bottom), and may include illustrations, graphs, or sidebars to make the key points of your proposal stand out. However, a document that is mostly illustrations rather than text will likely be ineffective. You should take care to demonstrate solid document design principles throughout this package.
Feasibility Report
Total Points: 200
Deadlines:
Here are the basic elements of a Feasibility Report, and you will also find additional structural examples in the relevant textbook chapter. The first seven elements are required; the rest should be included as appropriate for your individual projects. You will note that these instructions are minimal. In the workplace, you will not receive extensive directions on how to complete a writing task like this; likewise, in this class your work at this stage should be largely self-directed. You are heavily encouraged to ask questions as needed, both to clarify the assignment for the class and to inquire regarding issues that are specific to your unique topic.
Cover
Abstract
TOC (Table of Contents)
Executive Summary
BODY
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Facts/Discussion (interpretation) [illustrations]
- Conclusions [illustrations]
- Recommendations based on conclusions
Backmatter
Works Cited
Glossary (maybe)
Appendices (maybe. Interview transcripts, surveys, screenshots of other websites you researched.)
Final Presentation
Total Points: 50
Deadlines: Variable, depending on sign-up
Setting, Audience and Purpose: Your team is attending the Bi-Annual Regional Meeting of the company you work for. This is a multi-day meeting that most participants have travelled to participate in, and anyone who is important (and not-so-important) in the company is attending. Here, you will present your project and the progress you’ve made over the past quarter. You’ll also learn what other groups from the region have been accomplishing.
Your purpose is threefold:
To describe your project and its importance. Some members of the audience may know about your project, but some of the most vital decision makers are hearing about it for the first time.
To persuade key players to support you. You have previously received approval and support from your local management team, but this is your chance to get buy-in from regional management. Without it, you won’t have the full backing of Marketing or IT.
To build ethos. This is one of only a few chances throughout the year to firmly establish your productivity and intelligence. In order to do this, you’re going to need to somehow set yourselves apart from the other 30 presentations that will occur during the next three days.
Your presentation should describe the purpose of your project, the possible solutions researched, your primary recommendation, and the reasons for it. You’ll want to conclude in a way that brings home the true awesomeness of your final deliverable.
Time: Slides for a 12-15 minute talk. When you’re working in this style of presentation, that typically means 50+ slides. As with your other documents, this is just an approximate number. Your deck should be long enough to effectively do the work it needs to do.
Visuals & Supporting Docs: You should develop a PowerPoint that conforms to the rules we’ve been discussing: no bullets, extremely limited text, heavy graphics. (If you absolutely must use bullets, you may use them on one and only one slide.) You should also prepare an original handout that supports your argument and provides additional resources for your audience.
Audience Evaluation Component: As before, you will comment on presentations and complete an evaluation form.