PROJECT PLANNING

Department of Mechanical Engineering JKUAT

Presented by: James M. Mutua

Final Year Project Co-ordinator2014/15

INTRODUCTION

What is a project?

Typical projects

Elements of a project

Writing a project proposal

What is a Project?• A project is a designated set of tasks needed to

accomplish a particular goal.

Characteristics of true projects:

• They have a clear and agreed upon objective.

• They have a defined life span.

• Generally involve doing something that is new or a one-time effort.

• have specific requirements (time, cost, and performance are the three basic sets of requirements).

Elements of a project

Generally projects have: a defined beginning multiple activities performed to a plan a defined end.

Problem SolutionActivities

Research proposal

Objectives Request permission to undertake researchObtain feedback on ideasRequest resourcesCompetition for resourcesClarify ideasSatisfy academic requirements?

Research proposal

Title of the project - AppropriateAuthors – Including affiliationAn abstract – Brief description of

problem and proposed solutionProblem statement – clear

Proposal should contain

Aims and objectivesExpected outcomesLiterature reviewJustificationMethodologyTime planBudget(?)

Proposal should contain

Research proposal

FORMAT. PROPOSAL

Title -Brief and suitable for indexing

Authors - Include affiliation

Abstract - Briefly describe the problem and its solution

Introduction, Literature, Methodology, Time plan, Refs.

Precise intro., results, conclusion

No referencing

Avoid un-identified abbreviation

Abstract

What is the problem?

Define parameters

Introduction

What is the current practice?

How much is already known?

Where are the gaps?

Problem statement

Objectives

Literature Review

What is the importance or benefit of this work?

Has the problem been addressed in the past?

Justification

Materials and methods

How shall I do it?

What will I need?

Expected Results

What will be the outcomes of this study?

Time plan

- A detailed time schedule of activities

- Could be in form of a Gantt chart or any other convenient form

- Should be realistic

References

Source of information

Make sure they are accurate

Avoid plagiarism

Equations must be clear

Numbering of equations consistent

Equations

)(24

)(2

2

dDC

dDCL

L=2*C+(D-d)2/4C+2*(D+d)

(1)

Must be clear

Captions at bottom

Numbering consistent

Figures

Captions at the top

Numbering consistent

Tables

Some common shortcomings

what question is being addressed by the proposal what the outcome of the research might bewhy the question is worth addressing

It is not clear

Good proposal

A good proposal is:

•Clear

•Concise

•Not cluttered with technical jargon

Check points

Why do I want to do it?

What will I do?

What solutions do I expect?

Of what use is the solution?

How long and how much will it take?

Aim to achieve your goals successfully

and within reasonable time =

Plan your work well

Keep focused and at the same time

maintain an open mind

References

1. Farr, A. D., “Science writing for Beginners”, Blackwell Sc. Pub. (1985)

2. Ng’eno, J. T. and Owino, M.:, Learn to write well, or not to write at all, Int. J. Report Writing, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007) pp. 1-17.

Project Theme 2014/2015Sustainable research and innovation

to achieve vision 20301. Energy crisis – intervention

2. Emerging trends in Industrialization

3. Food security - value addition      

4. Security - to  curb the increasing cases of insecurity

5. Water conservation e.g. improving water harvesting techniques

6.   Environmental conservation.

7. or Any project that demonstrates capacity to exploit an opportunity that benefits the Kenyan community

8. Integration of ICT in the above areas.

Components of the Project

• Design

• Fabrication

• Testing

Proposed Time Schedule

• 3 weeks to prepare proposal.

• Week 5, proposal presentations.

• Week 9, preliminary design and budget should be ready.

• Week 12, design complete – oral examination.

• MODE OF EXAMINATION. MODE

After all is said….

Get on to work