In this phase of your project, you will lay out the design of your investigation, assumptions, how you intend to test them, and preliminary definition of the problem. These will be summarized in a Contextual Research Plan and Mapping. 

You can expect more details in the class prior to this assignment being due.

Please remember that this summative assignment is the culmination of your work. It should lay out a compelling story for your client that addresses the challenge you have been given. Your recommendations and presentation should also incorporate the changes, developments and improvements that resulted from team coaching sessions throughout the course.

The final deliverables are:

a) A  Project Recommendations Report of up to 50 pages that summarizes the team’s work, including prototypes, data, and primary research. The Report should be double-spaced, properly formatted in 12-point font.

b) A presentation that will be submitted and presented to the clients.

A4 Team Assignment

In this phase of your project, you will lay out the design of your investigation, assumptions, how you intend to test them, and preliminary definition of the problem. These will be summarized in a Contextual Research Plan and Mapping. [Team Assignment Due April 12]. Please read Chapter 2 in 101 Design Methods. There are lots of tools that can help you and your team to focus your research, develop a plan for research paths and methods and gain insight from your research. You don’t have to be limited to these methods but they are good and well tested. There is a lot of work to do this month so keep taking steps each day. You can’t wait till the end of the month to be doing your research.

Assignment expectations.

This assignment should begin with an introduction that lays out the design of your investigation, your intention statement and the hypothesis and assumptions you want to test, or problem/opportunity you want to explore.

You will then detail your Contextual Research Plan and Mapping in the following format.

1. Your Contextual Research Plan and Mapping should follow the layout of a GANTT chart as in the book. (one page)

2. Plain details. Use 1-2 pages to detail each majority activity block in the GANTT chart. (one-two pages)

3. Conclude with the results of your research activities and efforts to date (up to April 11) and a Research Summary and Insights to date. (one page)

The final deliverables are:

a) A  Project Recommendations Report of up to 50 pages that summarizes the team’s work, including prototypes, data, and primary research. The Report should be double-spaced, properly formatted in 12-point font.

b) A presentation that will be submitted and presented to the clients.