Capstone to Strategy, Capstone to Strategy, Technology and Integration, ITechnology and Integration, I

ETM 5121ETM 5121

Paul E. Rossler, Ph.D., P.E.Paul E. Rossler, Ph.D., P.E.

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PurposePurpose

• To improve your understanding of capstone To improve your understanding of capstone course requirementscourse requirements– 51215121

• What is an acceptable Capstone Project?What is an acceptable Capstone Project?

• What should be addressed in a Project Proposal?What should be addressed in a Project Proposal?

– 51315131• What is found in an acceptable Final Project What is found in an acceptable Final Project

Report?Report?

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ContentsContents

• The relationship between 5121 and 5131The relationship between 5121 and 5131

• Company Projects and Capstone ProjectsCompany Projects and Capstone Projects

• Capstone Project Selection GuidelinesCapstone Project Selection Guidelines

• DeliverablesDeliverables

• Grading CriteriaGrading Criteria

• LogisticsLogistics

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Obtain approval Obtain approval and resources and resources needed to needed to investigate investigate “manageable” “manageable” problemproblem

Request to Request to conductconduct

studystudyConduct theConduct the

StudyStudy

Project Project Proposal or Proposal or

ReportReport

Obtain Obtain resourcesresourcesneeded to needed to implement best implement best alternative alternative

5121 Project 5121 Project ProposalProposal

5131 Final5131 FinalReportReport

22ndnd 22ndnd33rdrd 11stst 33rdrd

22ndnd to Last Semester to Last Semester Last SemesterLast Semester

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Guidelines for the Capstone Guidelines for the Capstone ProjectProject

• Capstone Project Consists of…Capstone Project Consists of…– 5121 Project Proposal5121 Project Proposal

• DefendableDefendable

• At this point in time, it is not a proposed solutionAt this point in time, it is not a proposed solution

• Proposal to investigate alternative problem solutions Proposal to investigate alternative problem solutions or opportunitiesor opportunities

– 5131 Final Report5131 Final Report• Detailed and defendableDetailed and defendable

• Convinces reader solution proposed or adopted is in Convinces reader solution proposed or adopted is in fact best way to gofact best way to go

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Capstone projects often fall out Capstone projects often fall out of larger company projectsof larger company projects

MSETMMSETMProjectProject

CompanyCompanyProjectProject

ExamplesExamples::Unresolved or new issueUnresolved or new issueOne phase or deliverableOne phase or deliverableSame as, but with additional detailSame as, but with additional detail

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Taken altogether, is this a Taken altogether, is this a company or capstone project?company or capstone project?

• A selection process to determine and A selection process to determine and evaluate potential distributors.evaluate potential distributors.

• A new training program for distributors A new training program for distributors and/or sales people to facilitate lead and/or sales people to facilitate lead generation for products.generation for products.

• A market development plan to identify key A market development plan to identify key customers, markets, pricing, and customers, markets, pricing, and opportunities.opportunities.

Continued on next slideContinued on next slide

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• A flow chart of the roles and A flow chart of the roles and responsibilities of the sales engineer and the responsibilities of the sales engineer and the distributor’s sales person.distributor’s sales person.

• A new incentive plan for distributor’s sales A new incentive plan for distributor’s sales people for value engineered created people for value engineered created opportunities. opportunities.

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Capstone Project Selection Capstone Project Selection GuidelinesGuidelines

• Demonstrates understanding and application Demonstrates understanding and application of key management principles of the of key management principles of the MSETM programMSETM program

• In other words, it must be a project that could NOT In other words, it must be a project that could NOT have been accomplished at the same level of quality have been accomplished at the same level of quality by persons with less education and experienceby persons with less education and experience

The project that you propose in 5121 must lead to a The project that you propose in 5121 must lead to a project, that when completed in 5131, accomplishes the project, that when completed in 5131, accomplishes the following:following:

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Guidelines continuedGuidelines continued

• Relates to management of technical project Relates to management of technical project rather than simply a technical project or rather than simply a technical project or efforteffort– Technical problem solving can be part of the Technical problem solving can be part of the

project but not the essence or whole of the project but not the essence or whole of the projectproject

– Must be more than doing or implementing a Must be more than doing or implementing a solution already decided uponsolution already decided upon

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Guidelines continuedGuidelines continued

• Level of significance that it might be Level of significance that it might be presented to upper managementpresented to upper management

• Must have a demonstrable, quantitative, actual or Must have a demonstrable, quantitative, actual or potential financial effectpotential financial effect

• Stay away from pet peeves unless they are also Stay away from pet peeves unless they are also shared by your top managementshared by your top management

• Avoid “squishy” problem or opportunity areas (like Avoid “squishy” problem or opportunity areas (like culture change, teamwork, or training)culture change, teamwork, or training)

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Guidelines continuedGuidelines continued

• Self-contained and accomplished over a Self-contained and accomplished over a period of 4-10 months near the end of the period of 4-10 months near the end of the programprogram– Project execution (and 5131 report writing) Project execution (and 5131 report writing)

should involve roughly 2 ½ weeks of fulltime should involve roughly 2 ½ weeks of fulltime effort above and beyond that required at workeffort above and beyond that required at work

• 2 credits x [15 class hours per credit + (2 hours 2 credits x [15 class hours per credit + (2 hours outside of class per class hour x 15 class hours )] = outside of class per class hour x 15 class hours )] = 90 hours90 hours

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Guidelines continuedGuidelines continued

• The project must…The project must…– involve a set of realistic, feasible alternatives and involve a set of realistic, feasible alternatives and

(a defendable) alternative evaluation(a defendable) alternative evaluation• TechnicalTechnical• OperationalOperational• EconomicEconomic

– be realistic and relevant to the student’s be realistic and relevant to the student’s organizationorganization

– make substantive and identifiable use of MSETM make substantive and identifiable use of MSETM course materialcourse material

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• At the proposed project’s completion, the At the proposed project’s completion, the conclusions and recommendations conclusions and recommendations presented must be based on analysis, facts, presented must be based on analysis, facts, and measurable resultsand measurable results– One cannot claim A is better than B solely One cannot claim A is better than B solely

because she or he thinks A is better than Bbecause she or he thinks A is better than B– Beware of circular reasoning or basesBeware of circular reasoning or bases– A different standard most likely applies here A different standard most likely applies here

than in your organizationthan in your organization

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Deliverables for Capstone ProjectDeliverables for Capstone Project

• 51215121– Written project proposal (80% of grade)Written project proposal (80% of grade)– 15 minute, multimedia presentation of proposal15 minute, multimedia presentation of proposal– Participation in Q&A conference call Participation in Q&A conference call – Critique of another student’s proposal (10% of grade)Critique of another student’s proposal (10% of grade)– Critique of a 5131 student’s final report (10% of grade)Critique of a 5131 student’s final report (10% of grade)

• 51315131– Written final project report (100% of grade)Written final project report (100% of grade)– 20 minute, multimedia presentation20 minute, multimedia presentation– Participation in Q&A conference callParticipation in Q&A conference call

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Multimedia PresentationMultimedia Presentation

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For help with your multimedia For help with your multimedia presentationpresentation

Bill ElliottBill Elliott

405-744-6757405-744-6757

belliot@okstate.edubelliot@okstate.edu

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Capstone Project Proposal Capstone Project Proposal Format and Grading CriteriaFormat and Grading Criteria

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1. Problem (or Opportunity) 1. Problem (or Opportunity) StatementStatement

• Single paragraph describing the motivating Single paragraph describing the motivating problem and the resulting opportunityproblem and the resulting opportunity– In one sentence, what is the problem (or In one sentence, what is the problem (or

opportunity)?opportunity)?– Answers these questions and others…Why is it Answers these questions and others…Why is it

a problem? Who does it a affect? What is the a problem? Who does it a affect? What is the scope? How long has it existed? scope? How long has it existed?

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Problem Statement grading Problem Statement grading criteriacriteria

• Stated, in clear terms, the exact problem or Stated, in clear terms, the exact problem or opportunityopportunity

• Provided necessary background to Provided necessary background to understand the situationunderstand the situation

• Presented a manageable problem and one Presented a manageable problem and one that is an important priority and a that is an important priority and a worthwhile opportunity worthwhile opportunity

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2. Measures of the Problem2. Measures of the Problem

• Specific quantification of the problemSpecific quantification of the problem– Define performance measuresDefine performance measures

• And units of measurementAnd units of measurement

– Preliminary quantitative estimatesPreliminary quantitative estimates

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Measures of the Problem Measures of the Problem grading criteriagrading criteria

• Defined objective, relevant, quantifiable Defined objective, relevant, quantifiable measures measures

• Defined in terms of specific measurement Defined in terms of specific measurement unitsunits

• Provided preliminary quantitative estimates Provided preliminary quantitative estimates for each measure for each measure

• Presented the expected norm or estimated Presented the expected norm or estimated improvement goals or bothimprovement goals or both

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3. Project Objectives3. Project Objectives

• In specific, clear terms answer the question,In specific, clear terms answer the question, “What must be accomplished?” “What must be accomplished?”

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Project Objectives grading Project Objectives grading criteriacriteria

• Provided a vision or outcomes of a Provided a vision or outcomes of a successful Capstone Project in the context successful Capstone Project in the context of the Company Projectof the Company Project

• Identified specific accomplishments needed Identified specific accomplishments needed to accomplish this vision or outcomesto accomplish this vision or outcomes

• Objectives directly relate to problem Objectives directly relate to problem statement and measuresstatement and measures

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4. Specific Deliverables4. Specific Deliverables

• What will you deliver upon completion of What will you deliver upon completion of the project?the project?

• Bullet list of specific recommendations, Bullet list of specific recommendations, traceable to project objectivestraceable to project objectives

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Specific Deliverables grading Specific Deliverables grading criteriacriteria

• Logically follow from project objectivesLogically follow from project objectives

• Stated clearlyStated clearly

• Comprehensive and completeComprehensive and complete

• Likely to be accomplished within a 4 to 10 Likely to be accomplished within a 4 to 10 month timeframe month timeframe

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5. Alternatives to be considered5. Alternatives to be considered

• Identify and evaluate alternative approaches to Identify and evaluate alternative approaches to solving the problemsolving the problem

• Include…Include…– Overall descriptionsOverall descriptions

– Technology involvedTechnology involved

– Thoughts on feasibilityThoughts on feasibility

– Known examples of successful useKnown examples of successful use

– Preconceived biases pro or conPreconceived biases pro or con

– And so on…And so on…

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Alternatives considered grading Alternatives considered grading criteriacriteria

• Identified and described a reasonable set of Identified and described a reasonable set of alternatives for considerationalternatives for consideration

• Did not include alternatives already considered Did not include alternatives already considered and dismissed and dismissed – Or ones that are likely to never be seriously consideredOr ones that are likely to never be seriously considered

• Gave enough background and detail on each to Gave enough background and detail on each to make them understandable to someone with a make them understandable to someone with a technical backgroundtechnical background

3.5

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6. Approach and Criteria for 6. Approach and Criteria for Evaluating AlternativesEvaluating Alternatives

• Your plan for carrying out the capstone Your plan for carrying out the capstone projectproject

• Should map back to your objectivesShould map back to your objectives

• Must describe how best alternative will be Must describe how best alternative will be decideddecided

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Approach and Criteria grading Approach and Criteria grading criteriacriteria

• Approach logically flows from objectives, Approach logically flows from objectives, deliverables, and alternatives to be deliverables, and alternatives to be consideredconsidered

• Identified specific tasks that must be Identified specific tasks that must be accomplished and their sequence accomplished and their sequence

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• Listed the data that must be collectedListed the data that must be collected– how it will be collectedhow it will be collected– Criteria used to judge the quality of the data or Criteria used to judge the quality of the data or

its suitability for analysis its suitability for analysis

• Provided specific performance criteria and Provided specific performance criteria and measures to be used to decide between measures to be used to decide between alternatives and the process that will be alternatives and the process that will be used to decide used to decide

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7. Project Plan7. Project Plan

• A detailed project timelineA detailed project timeline

• Gantt chartGantt chart

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Project Plan grading criteriaProject Plan grading criteria

• Gantt chart included deliverables and other Gantt chart included deliverables and other key activitieskey activities– Tie closely to the approachTie closely to the approach– Ensure an orderly and timely accomplishment Ensure an orderly and timely accomplishment

of project objectivesof project objectives

• Scheduled the final report and presentationScheduled the final report and presentation

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8. Planned Use of ETM Materials8. Planned Use of ETM Materials

• Identify the use of specific concepts, tools Identify the use of specific concepts, tools and techniques learned in the ETM and techniques learned in the ETM program.program.– in the body of the report, orin the body of the report, or– as a bullet listas a bullet list

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Use of ETM Materials grading Use of ETM Materials grading criteriacriteria

• Identified the use of specific concepts, tools Identified the use of specific concepts, tools and techniques learned in the ETM programand techniques learned in the ETM program

• Reference made as to how and where in the Reference made as to how and where in the project they will be used project they will be used

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9. Professionalism9. Professionalism

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Professionalism grading criteriaProfessionalism grading criteria

• Report was free of typographical errorsReport was free of typographical errors– And grammatical, diction, punctuation, and And grammatical, diction, punctuation, and

formatting errorsformatting errors

• Presentable to top management audiencePresentable to top management audience

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10. Oral Presentation10. Oral Presentation

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Oral presentation grading criteriaOral presentation grading criteria

• Provided concise summary of reportProvided concise summary of report

• Delivered in logical, methodical wayDelivered in logical, methodical way

• Material was legibleMaterial was legible

• Answered questions, defended rationaleAnswered questions, defended rationale

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Typical questions asked when Typical questions asked when evaluating your proposalevaluating your proposal

1.1. In one sentence, what is the problem being In one sentence, what is the problem being addressed here?addressed here?

2.2. Why did you select this project?Why did you select this project?

3.3. What is the potential financial and What is the potential financial and organizational impact if this problem is organizational impact if this problem is solved (or opportunity is captured)?solved (or opportunity is captured)?

Source: Rudy HerrmannSource: Rudy Herrmann

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4.4. Does the organization have a sense of Does the organization have a sense of urgency with respect to this problem or urgency with respect to this problem or opportunity? Is there widespread opportunity? Is there widespread understanding that a problem even exists? understanding that a problem even exists? Is that problem worth solving?Is that problem worth solving?

5.5. How different are the alternatives being How different are the alternatives being proposed here REALLY?proposed here REALLY?

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6.To what extent are your options bounded by 6.To what extent are your options bounded by what you think is possible within the what you think is possible within the construct of the organization? If all construct of the organization? If all organizational constraints and biases were organizational constraints and biases were removed, would that expose other removed, would that expose other alternatives?alternatives?

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7.Have you considered other intervening 7.Have you considered other intervening factors that might show one alternative as factors that might show one alternative as better than another when it in fact isn’t? better than another when it in fact isn’t? How will you take those factors into How will you take those factors into account when deciding between account when deciding between alternatives?alternatives?

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8.Do you have the right people on the project 8.Do you have the right people on the project team to assure success? What will be your team to assure success? What will be your role on the team?role on the team?

9.9. What success measure is the most What success measure is the most important?important?

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LogisticsLogistics

• Schedule is developed that lists critique Schedule is developed that lists critique dates, submission dates, conference call dates, submission dates, conference call datesdates

• Submit Word docs and PowerPoint slides to Submit Word docs and PowerPoint slides to Amanda Holley for posting Amanda Holley for posting (hamanda@okstate.edu)(hamanda@okstate.edu)

• Submit Real media files to Bill Elliott Submit Real media files to Bill Elliott (belliot@okstate.edu) (belliot@okstate.edu)

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• During the conference call, questions are During the conference call, questions are asked and improvement comments are madeasked and improvement comments are made

• Within two weeks of conference call, any Within two weeks of conference call, any requested revisions must be maderequested revisions must be made– Unless different arrangements madeUnless different arrangements made– If not submitted, I grade assignedIf not submitted, I grade assigned– However, revisions do not affect gradeHowever, revisions do not affect grade

• Submit revision to Paul RosslerSubmit revision to Paul Rossler

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File naming conventionFile naming convention

• Lastname proposal.doc Lastname proposal.doc – If two people in class have the same last If two people in class have the same last

name…name…

• Lastname proposal.pptLastname proposal.ppt– No one will be asked to revise her or his slides No one will be asked to revise her or his slides

or multimedia presentationor multimedia presentation

• Lastname.rmLastname.rm

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Performing the Performing the Capstone Project Itself Capstone Project Itself

• Individual EffortIndividual Effort

• IndependenceIndependence

• Self-directionSelf-direction