IS341 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 (about the firm/project – you may be telling them things they do not know about themselves)
7. Closing
D. Models/Diagrams (DFDs, ERDs, ER Table, etc.)
E. Handouts – Required
F. PowerPoint slides (6 or 8 to a printed page, NOT one slide per page)
II. Requirements
A. Submittables – all submittables must 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 – IS341 – and class time
2. Name of Project
3. Names of all team members
c. Table of contents
d. Modeling diagrams
1. DFDs – NOTE: At least one set of DFDs must be broken down
to L-2.
2. ERDs
3. Entity Table
4. Printout of Entire Data Dictionary (if VA/modeling software is used for the project).
e. Handouts (Required – must be printed and distributed to all class members) – this will be a separate set of pages, even if using PowerPoint slides for the handout.
f. PowerPoint slides used in presentation (6 or 8 per page).
g. REQUIRED: Clear cover & backing as described in class, Comb binding with Sleeve for the disk inside the back cover. Failure to properly bind the project will receive a 50% reduction in the project score.
2. Disk (CD/DVD or Flash Drive; NOTE: Memory Bars are NOT acceptable):
a. Properly Labeled with name of Project and all team members’ names.
b. *.docx files – the entire project report should be a single .docx file including cover sheet, body, addenda, and should be properly page numbered (auto-page numbering, usually in a header/footer; page 1 is usually the cover sheet – refer to APA guide for specifics). Note: some files such as .xlsx, .pptx, .pubx, or certain graphics files are not easily/efficiently imported into a Word file. These should be saved separately on the disk, then linked to the file, or simply be present as appropriate for the particular project. If you are unsure, ask your instructor.
c. The Entire Modeling Project – DFDs, ERDs, Entity Table, Repository, etc. (created in Word, VISIO, Visible Analyst, etc.) – all files should be directly accessible from disk (no compressed or self-extracting files, etc.).
NOTE: ALL models (DFDs, ERDs, etc.) MUST be present on disk as .jpg files or as drawings within the .docx file as there is no guarantee the instructor will have your software (or version) available.
d. *.pptx files – the entire PowerPoint presentation.
e. Handouts – if the handout is a separate document from the PowerPoint file (e.g., a Publisher or Word document) it must be present on the disk as a separate file (.pubx, .docx, etc.).
f. VA (and similar) projects are too large for 3-1/2” floppy disks, and CDs are not interactive (the VA database cannot be accessed interactively on a CD/DVD) so these are NOT acceptable media for this project. A flash/jump drive is recommended. (NOTE: Memory Bars are NOT acceptable.)
B. All team 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 a reduction of 50% of the absentee’s project grade.
D. Professional dress required (hint: think, “IBM”) ”) – anyone failing to comply will lose 50% of his/her Project score (see Team Project in syllabus).
See http://www.umsl.edu/depts/career/files/pdfs/Professional%20Dress%20Handout.pdf
and http://www.iuk.edu/career-services/assets/pdfs/Professional%20Business%20Attire.pdf
for examples.
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, compressed, or self-extracting files. A flash/jump drive is recommended. If using software such as Visible Analyst CDs are not acceptable because the VA project cannot be directly accessed from a CD (Data Dictionary not interactively modifiable on a CD drive; NOTE: Memory Bars are NOT acceptable).
G. Time Requirement – the presentation should be no less than 10 minutes and no more than 15 minutes.
H. The Body of the document (introduction through closing) should be 10-12 pages in length, 1-inch margins all around, double-spaced, 12-point type. Do NOT attempt to “pad” the document with “white space” (large margins, large breaks between paragraphs/sections, large line-spacing, etc.), oversized text, graphics, etc., as this will reduce your score. Good, solid/sound discussion of the problem and solution should range 10-12 pages.
I. The Word document should be page numbered (Automatic pagination, not manually inserted page numbers).
J. NOTHING HANDWRITTEN! Everything should be computer generated. Any handwriting at any place on the project will receive 50% reduction in the project score.
K. Spelling and Grammar are VERY important professional skills and easily discovered/corrected with a word processor. The first spelling/grammar error will receive a 5% penalty, the second 10%, the third and each additional spelling/grammar error 25%.
L. During the presentation several of the models themselves should be shown and their usefulness to the firm demonstrated (as the solution to the problem identified). All of the models need not be shown, but enough to demonstrate that they provide a solution to the identified problem.
Compliance with all the requirements (minimum effort) will earn a project score of 90% (minimum ‘A’). 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 team project score, usually 10%, 25%, or 50%, depending on the situation. Learning professionalism and to follow project specifications is a significant part of the learning objectives of the course.
The bulk of the project grade is taken from the work in the modeling project itself, not the presentation. All the “extras/bells-and-whistles” done for presentations are fine and helpful, but will not add significantly to the project score of a poorly executed project.
Projects become the property of the instructor; 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.
Note on Penalties/Deductions: Penalties/Deductions listed above will be percentage of the Total Possible Project Score of 100%, not the net project score;
i.e., a 50% deduction (late to class or handwriting on the document): 90-50=40%, 75-50=25%.
WARNING!!!!! Anyone who fails to perform as part of the team may be “fired” by the team pending discussion with the instructor. Persons who are “fired” will be responsible to seek and submit/present another team project in the class on their own with no extension of time or due date, and no assistance from the instructor in locating a team willing to accept them.
v Write in third person when possible.
v Use a Formal Style Guide (APA is the preferred style for all business and scientific programs).
v Prepare & PRACTICE the presentation itself. These skills must be DEVELOPED through PRACTICE, they are not acquired by just tossing things 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 a 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?
The 3 most important elements of any presentation: message, Message, MESSAGE!
v Graphics – Choose your graphics with care. Standard clipart from Word looks cheap and shows lack of attentiveness/professionalism. Take time to find graphics that specifically represent your firm & product. Yahoo graphics contains thousands of public domain images.
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 throwaway 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.