Projects for Consideration!

9 – September - 2019
Service-Learning Project Management System ​
Problem/Need: There is no central system to track, monitor and improve what is done
when various communities are engaged as a result of individual initiatives, student club
activities and the Leadership IV Service-Learning Projects ​
Client/Contact - Dr. Esi Ansah
The aim of this project is to coordinate all community engagement in one central system,
preferably integrated into Canvas (a Learning Management System like CAMU). This is
especially needed for the Leadership IV course so all service-learning projects can be
tracked, and policy documents, inquiry and feedback forms can be accessed from this
system. Also, students, internal and external communities should be able to access and
load data onto this system. Initial scoping documentation will be provided. More
information will be provided by the client. ​
Berekuso Household Survey
Client/Contact - Mrs. Awuah ​

A team of faculty conducted some research work to measure the impact of Ashesi
University on Berekuso. In 2017, it conducted its first data collection effort. The
plan is for a longitudinal study to be repeated every 3 years. Data must be collected
again next year. Unfortunately, there is a paper-based instrument which the team is
interested in (1) expanding its breath to satisfy the needs of the various team
members, and (2) transfer the instrument, once completed, onto a software that
enumerators can use a tablet to administer very easily. ​
Career Services Tracking System for Students ​
Problem/Need: Tracking student attendance at career services’ workshops,
seminars and events by paper alone is not effective

Client/Contact - Abigail Welbeck ​

The aim of this project is to design and implement an app (or a tracking system)
that can be used to track student attendance and participation at events and also,
give a brief history of the track record of attendees at past events. ​
Career Services Upcoming Event App ​
Problem/Need: Students have no idea when career services’ sessions are coming
up unless being prompted by email ​

Client/Contact - Abigail Welbeck ​

The aim of this project is to provide students with an app (managed by the Career
Office) to alert them of upcoming events, and in preparation for those events,
watch videos or even book one on one sessions with members of the Career
Office. ​
Wind measuring and barrier planning
Client/Contact: Dr. Phillip Appiah Kubi

Very windy garden site, measure wind potential for energy creation and as a
greenhouse damage threat, best practice research of natural wind barriers and/or
energy capture in site design
Lincoln Hill Gardens Sewer Connection
Client/Contact: Dr. Phillip Appiah Kubi

Research and recommend best process or options for connecting planned pavilion
structure to utilities including water and sewer for planned kitchen sinks
(handwashing and dishwashing) and possible planned bathroom
Handicap accessible garden beds
Client/Contact: Dr. Phillip Appiah Kubi

Develop an appropriate and ergonomically handicap accessible garden bed that

considers soil and moisture retention as well as creating a line-item budget for
materials and labour
Design Systems
Client/Contact: Dr. Phillip Appiah Kubi

Researching client's facility to check whether there is the possibility of installing

more solar panels. This may include changing the current orientation to other
sustainable sources, such as wind.
Conducting our Needs Assessment
 What a Needs Assessment is

To be
discussed The Needs Assessment process

today…

Planning your Needs Assessment

 A Needs Assessment
Needs Assessment describes the work necessary to define a business need, decide on an
approach to address that need, and determine whether the organization should invest in
the proposed change.

It includes work that should be done before a project is initiated, to make sure the project
will bring enough business value to the organization.
Point to note…

Not necessarily mandated by the project

management methodology.
It can either be requested by the business or
recommended by the business analyst.
 Get a high-level understanding of the current
Get environment, gather information from the right
stakeholders and analyze it.

Collect more detailed data: interviews

Collect stakeholders; review existing documentation etc.
Conducting and analyze for a clearer picture of the situation.

a Assess Assess (or help to arrive at) organizational goals

and objectives.
Needs
Assessment Arrive at a conclusion on what is currently and
Arrive what is desired – gap identification.

Recommend a solution: will be a confirmation of

Recommend the proposed project or recommend another if
need be.
 Have a success
Metric
metric.

Evaluate options
Evaluate
against the metric.
Selecting an
option Select the highest
evaluated option (could
Select be your project
justified)

Make a strong
Justify justification to the
Client
Team Activity
1. What do you want to achieve with your Needs Assessment?
2. What stakeholders will be involved?
3. What is their interest and what information can they provide you to help you
arrive at the business case?
4. When are you going to meet them?
5. What document reviews do you need to conduct? When will you conduct it?
6. How are you going to analyse the data you get?
7. What form will your report take?
 1. Conduct your Needs Assessment
2. Complete your business case document
Next steps… 3. Agree with your client that it is a good
representation of their expectations.
This should be done by Thursday, 12th September 2019 @ 9:45am
 First section but last to be written; short summary of the entire
Executive Summary
business case.

1.00 Finance
To identify the financial implications for the project / predict cash
1.10 Financial Appraisal
flow
1.20 Sensitivity Analysis Concerns project risk - consider alternative futures

2.00 Project Definition

2.10 Background Information To give clear introduction to business case
2.20 Business Objective What is your goal/ how will the project support the business strategy
2.30 Benefits & Limitations Helps to explain why the project is needed
Business Option Identification &
2.40 Identify potential solutions to the problem
Case Selection
Scope, Impact & Work needed to deliver the business objectives / project's scope &
Template 2.50
Interdependencies boundaries
2.60 Outline Plan Provides summary of the main activities
Complete understanding of the marketplace in which business would
2.70 Market Assessment
operate
2.80 Risk Assessment Summary of significant risks and opportunities and they are managed
2.90 Project Approach How the project will be tackled - to be outsourced or in-house
2.10 Purchasing Strategy How project is to be financed - to buy, lease - procurement process

3.00 Project Organization

Governance framework that will support the project through each
3.10 Project Governance
stage
3.20 Progress Reporting How project progress is recorded
What PMI say about Needs Assessment