IM462 Project Requirements
I. Recommended layout for report
A. Cover Page
B. Table of Contents
C. Body
1. Introduction
a. Describe Firm
b. Describe Problem
c. Assumptions – there are always assumptions
2. Describe Project/Problem
3. Alternatives – one alternative should always be “do nothing”
4. Recommendations
5. Solution
6. Conclusion – what was learned
7. Closing
D. VA diagrams
1. ERDs – Entity Relationship Diagrams
2. DFDs – Data Flow Diagrams
3. Entity Tables
4. etc./other supporting documentation
E. Handouts – strongly suggested
F. Powerpoint slides (6 or 8 to a printed page, NOT one slide per page)
II. Requirements
A. Submittables – all submittables should be on both hardcopy and disk
1. Hardcopy:
a. Project report in MS Word, presentation in MS Powerpoint
b. Cover page with:
1. Class number – IM341
2. Name of Project
3. Names of all group members
c. Table of contents
d. VA diagrams
e. Handouts (if used)
f. Powerpoint slides used in presentation (6 or 8 per page)
g. Clear cover as described in class (use a Comb binding)
2. Disk:
a. Properly Labeled with name of Project and all group members’ names
b. *.doc files – the entire project report should be a single “.doc” file including cover sheet, body, addenda, handouts, and should be properly page numbered
c. *.ppt files – the entire Powerpoint presentation
d. Visible Analyst Models – all VA documentation should be included in a single VA project folder, and be directly accessible from the disk (not compressed)
B. All group members must participate in both preparing and presenting the project.
C. All class members are required to be present for all presentations by other class members. Failure to attend (unexcused, including tardiness) all class presentations will result in awarding 0% for the absentee’s project grade.
D. Professional dress required (hint: think, “IBM”)
E. All submittables are due at the time of the presentation; late materials will not be accepted
F. All files must be accessible directly from the disk – no PKZIP files, compressed, or self-extracting files. A Zip disk is permitted/recommended for this project since the entire project will not usually fit on a single 3-1/2” floppy disk. CDs are not acceptable because the VA project cannot be directly accessed from a CD (not modifiable on a CD drive).
Compliance with all the requirements will earn a project score of 90%. Grades above 90% are only given to projects that go significantly beyond the minimum requirements listed above. Failure to comply with the above requirements will result in significant lowering of the group project score, usually 10%, 25%, or 50%, depending on the situation.
Projects become the property of the instructor and neither hardcopy nor disks will be returned. (I lose more projects that way….) If you want a copy of the project, make it before it is submitted.
WARNING!!!!! Anyone who fails to perform as part of the group may be “fired” by the group pending discussion with the instructor. Persons who are “fired” will be responsible to seek and submit/present another project from the instructor with no extension of time or due date.
v Write in third person
v Use a Formal Style (APA, MLA, etc.)
v Prepare & PRACTICE the presentation itself
v These skills must be DEVELOPED, not just tossed together
v Choose colors/backgrounds with care – low contrast is difficult to see
Light print on dark background can be difficult to see, dark print on light background may be better
v “Look & Feel” on projector is very different from projector/screen at a desk
v Know your audience (technical or user?) – what are you trying to present, and to who?
v Graphics – Choose your graphics with care. Standard clipart from Word looks cheap and shows lack of attentiveness. Take time to find graphics that specifically represent your firm & product.
Final Note to Students: This is YOUR project! Take it to heart, be attentive to requirements, but be creative. The only reason for so many specifics (above) is that I want you to create a project that is worth something to you, not just a throw-away paper that wastes both your time and mine. If you want to do something “different” and are not sure how it will be received, ask me and we will discuss it.