Scope

Scope: Goal Breakdown, Objectives, Critical Success Factors, Specifications, Assumptions and Constraints

One of the most important things to define when starting a new project is the project’s scope. This week we outlined a number of goals, objectives, assumptions, and constraints to help us stay on track with our project and not get overwhelmed by scope creep.

Our overarching goal is to provide a means of educating youth in basic computer literacy and to empower them so they have the skills they need to compete with other students academically. To measure our success with this goal, we’ve outlined five objectives: we will create four curriculum modules aimed at youth: Internet research, word processing, online safety, and Internet credibility. The fifth objective is teaching these modules at the THA community centers. We recognize now that time may not allow us to meet the final objective; in that case, the next group working on this project can complete it.

We make several assumptions in working with our sponsor on these objectives. We assume that the community centers will be available for us to use, which hinges on the assumption that the authorities at THA will approve our proposal to work with them. We also assume that students will be interested in completing a program in Digital Literacy. Finally, we assume that the equipment available in the THA computer labs will be properly maintained.

Our constraints, like all projects, include time and money. Time is a huge one for us – we only have a month and a half to develop and deliver the Digital Literacy curriculum. To deal with this, we’ve defined the scope to focus specifically on youth, and we’ve made our final objective (actually delivering the curriculum) optional. In some ways this final objective is like a reward that will keep us on track, as Charlene and I both would like the experience of actually teaching the curriculum once we develop it.

Two other constraints specific to our project are bureaucracy and competition. There is a paperwork process that must be completed before we can visit the community centers and begin teaching there. This could set us back, but we plan to deal with it by working on our curriculum while we’re waiting to gain access. Competition is especially important since we are working with youth. If we don’t make our program interesting, students will turn to other after school programs and activities.

As usual, visit our working plan for more details on our progress, and check the blog for regular updates.

Testimonials

It is my pleasure to "brag" about David Schubert. David worked as part of our Technology support staff at Chiles during the 2007-2008 school year and was absolutely outstanding. His knowledge is incredible, his demeanor is very upbeat and supportive, and his ability to help individuals understand what he is doing and to help them be able to help themselves is amazing. David has a tremendously bright future ahead of himself and, in my opinion, will make some company very fortunate to have him as an employee.

Stan Goldstein, Teacher

David Schubert worked as my Assistant in the Technology Department at Lawton Chiles High for two years, September 2006 to June 2008. He brought a large skill set to the job. What impressed me most about David was his character as a person. He proved to have a high level of integrity and trustworthiness. He could be trusted with access to sensitive information and was very receptive to learning how institutional systems function and inter-personal dynamics.

David will be a fantastic resource for any IT company where he lands, but will be exceptional in an educational institution with his experience in the public school environment and his understanding of how those institutions work.

Buck Buchanan, Technology Coordinator

I have had the pleasure of working with David in two of my classes. His evident competency in various areas of information technology (including information architecture, network administration, and instructional technology support) is a result of his dedication and enthusiastic attention to his coursework as well as diligence in seeking extracurricular and professional opportunities outside of the classroom. As a student, he has distinguished himself by engaging fully in all classroom activities, being open to learning and constructive feedback, and putting a stamp of excellence on all his projects. I am confident that David will be a wonderful asset to any organization he will dedicate his services to after he completes his studies at the University.

Dr. Mia Liza A. Lustria, Professor

I've known David in three different capacities: As a student in two of the courses I teach, as our school's Technology Assistant, and as an FSU student who continues to assist teachers at Chiles - for no remuneration.

Of the many students I've taught in 30+ years in the classroom, David is without a doubt one of the brightest, most hard working, and caring students I've ever known - to both teachers and students alike. Those traits are coupled with a natural ability to understand technology and even more importantly, to communicate to others how to learn and utilize that technology. Of the many technology training sessions I've attended, those in which David was the instructor were by far the most effective and most easily understood--because he is a natural teacher. Any business would be extremely fortunate to have David working with them. I have never seen his equal - both in his personal qualities and in his technical skills as well.

Jan Dunlap, Teacher

David Schubert was a member of the Honors section of Fundamentals of Speech. His work was exemplary.... and he was the resident guru to whom we addressed all questions of a technological nature. David is quick witted, humble, smart, caring, and responsible. I wish all students at Florida State had his sense of maturity and a commitment to things greater than himself.

Mark Ziegler, Professor

David is a delightful young man who is talented beyond his years. On several occasions he has helped our family with our technology issues and is always knowledgeable, polite, and insightful in the process.

Angela Turner

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