SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECT {SRP}

1.1What is the project?

A project is an activity to meet the creation of a unique product or service and thus activities
that are undertaken to accomplish routine activities cannot be considered projects. This also
means that the definition of the project is refined at each step and ultimately the purpose of
the progress is enunciated
A research project is a scientific endeavour to answer a research question. Depending on
your area of research interest or your research topic, you may be able to identify a mentor
on your own, or if needed, you will be assigned one

2.2 Definition and purpose of the project?

The right set of goals can ensure that your project suits a true business purpose, and it
creates a common purpose. Project Scope: Project scope is defined as the body of work
(overall tasks, activities and decisions) that must be completed in order to ensure
that project goals and deliverables are met

The Purpose of Project Management and Setting Objectives.

The purpose of project management is to foresee or predict as many dangers and problems
as possible; and to plan, organise and control activities so that the project is completed as
successfully as possible in spite of all the risks.

Use words such as “purpose,” “intent,” or “objective” to draw attention to this statement as
the principal controlling idea in a study.
Focus on one idea/phenomenon to be explored or understood.

A project plan can be considered to have five key characteristics that have to be managed:
 Scope: defines what will be covered in a project.
 Resource: what can be used to meet the scope.
 Time: what tasks are to be undertaken and when.
 Quality: the spread or deviation allowed from a desired standard.

A project is an activity to meet the creation of a unique product or service and thus activities
that are undertaken to accomplish routine activities cannot be considered projects. ... This
also means that the definition of the project is refined at each step and ultimately the
purpose of the progress is enunciated
1.3 Scope of the project?
Project scope is the part of project planning that involves determining and documenting a
list of specific project goals, deliverables, features, functions, tasks, deadlines, and
ultimately costs. In other words, it is what needs to be achieved and the work that must be
done to deliver a project. Here are some of its steps:

a. Identify the project needs

When you are clearly able to identify the needs of a project, you are more likely to set a
sound benchmark from the beginning.
Understanding the ‘what and why’ of a project will enable you to set specific goals and
objectives.  It also sets the groundwork for what tasks are to follow and how they are to be
performed.

b. Confirm the objectives and goals of the Project

The basis of the project scope should entail your goals and objectives to be one that follows
a SMART guideline.  That is, to be Specific, Measurable and Achievable.  It should also be
Realistic and completed within a specific Timeframe.
Specific–This involves stating accurately what the project wants to achieve.  That is, what,
why and how these will be done. Clarity will reduce the chances of ambiguities and
misunderstanding

c. Project Scope description

You as a leader, need to be clear about the features and functioning required for your
product or service.
For example, you are building a website.  You need a list that provides how you will build
your website, the type of branding required and so on.  In other words, what certain
qualities will increase achieving your project’s success.
 

d. Expectations and acceptance

Successful projects are ones that take into account the satisfaction of the end-user.
Whether they meet the end use expectations and accept the product, service or process. 
The end-users could be your customers or your internal team.
For customers, this includes pricing, value, and quality of products/services as well as
availability, delivery and return policies.  For employees, this includes the effectiveness and
efficiency of new operational processes.  Ultimately, your project scope is one that should
be attuned to giving better outcomes to whoever your end users may be.
 

e. Identify constraints
There are always roadblocks to achieving what you were set out to do.  When being aware
of possible limitations along the way, it can help you minimize problems that may delay or
constrain your ability to achieve your project’s outcome.
These can be caused by dynamic environmental conditions (internal and external),
technological glitches and/or lack of resources. Communicating such problems with your
team early on and taking steps to overcome these hurdles will reduce delays in project
completion and keep spending within budget.  Whether these are based on assumptions or
uncertainty, analysing their impact throughout the projects timeline further reduces the risk of
failure.

f. Identify necessary changes

It is always best to avoid reworking the scope of your project, as it means investing in more
time, money and resources.
However, at times these changes are inevitable and necessary. Limit changes by taking on the
perspectives of customers, stakeholders, and employees involved in the project.  This
minimizes disagreements later on.

1.4 Salient contribution of the project?