Lesson 1.4: Scoping for Feasibility: Time, Access, Skills, and Resources

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the fundamental aspect of project planning: feasibility. Understanding feasibility is essential in ensuring that your extended project has the potential to be completed successfully within the constraints you have. This lesson aims to address the four main constraints that affect project viability: time, access to data or materials, the student's skills, and available resources. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to assess the feasibility of a project topic and make adjustments to their research question as needed.

Objectives

• Understand feasibility as the critical test every project topic must pass.
• Identify the four real constraints: time, access to data or materials, the student’s skills, and available resources.
• Learn how to right-size a project for successful completion rather than abandonment.
• Spot hidden dependencies that could stall a project.
• Adjust the question when scoping reveals that it is unrealistic.

H2: Understanding Feasibility

Project feasibility refers to the likelihood that a project can be successfully completed given certain constraints. To check the feasibility, students need to break down their project idea into smaller components and evaluate each component critically against the four constraints: time, access, skills, and resources.

Example 1: Project Idea Evaluation

Let’s consider the project idea of researching "The Impact of Plastic Waste on Marine Life.“

1. Time: Assess how much time you have available until the project’s deadline. If it is three months, consider how long it might take to gather data, conduct analysis, and write the report. Will you realistically be able to complete this in three months?
2. Access: Determine whether you have access to necessary data, such as scientific articles, marine samples, or observations. If you need to collect samples from oceans or rivers, do you have the means to do that?
3. Skills: Evaluate whether you possess the required skills to analyze data related to marine biology or oceanography. Do you need to learn additional skills like statistical analysis?
4. Resources: Assess the resources available, such as internet access, libraries, or funds for materials. Can you afford to conduct field studies or purchase books?

H2: The Four Constraints Explained

H3: Time

Time is often the most limiting factor in any project. Each project has specific milestones that need to be met leading up to the final submission. It is crucial for students to create a timeline that breaks down these milestones, allowing for assessments and adjustments along the way.

Example 2: Creating a Timeline

If students decides on a three-month project duration:

• Month 1: Research and data collection
• Month 2: Analysis and drafting
• Month 3: Revision and final submission

Be realistic about what can be achieved each week to avoid rushing at the end.

H3: Access

Access to data or materials is another barrier that can pose a challenge. This may include limitations in accessing libraries, online databases, or even locations for field research.

Example 3: Access Challenges

In the case of the plastic waste project, if students is located far from any body of water, conducting field research may be difficult, limiting the scope of the investigation. Consider alternative data sources, such as academic studies or collaboration with environmental organizations.

H3: Skills

The skills set refers to the knowledge and expertise necessary to carry out the project. Projects requiring specialized techniques or methodologies necessitate either existing skills or a plan for acquiring them.

Example 4: Skills Gap

If a project requires advanced data analysis techniques that students has not learned yet, it may be worthwhile to choose a different question or allocate time to learn those skills beforehand.

H3: Resources

Available resources encompass all material and financial assets necessary to conduct the project. These include software for data analysis, books, or even financial support for materials needed for experiments or construction of artefacts.

Example 5: Assessing Resources

If students’s project involves creating a prototype device, do they have access to materials? What tools are needed? Ensure that these resources are either available or can be reasonably obtained during the project timeframe.

H2: Right-Sizing the Project

Right-sizing means adjusting the scope of the project to fit within the outlined constraints without compromising quality. A project that is too expansive can lead to rushed work and unmet deadlines.

Example 6: Narrowing Down Ideas

If students's initial question was "How does waste affect marine life globally?" This is vast and unrealistic. A better focus could be, "What is the impact of plastic waste on fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico?" This adjustment makes the project more manageable.

H2: Spotting Hidden Dependencies

Hidden dependencies are factors or aspects of a project that may not initially seem critical but can significantly affect progress. Recognizing these dependencies early can avert future challenges.

Example 7: Anticipating Challenges

If students planned to analyze data from a specific study, they must ensure that they can access that study. If it is behind a paywall or requires extended approval for usage, it could delay the project.

H2: Adjusting the Question

When evaluating the feasibility of a project, students may discover that their initial question is unrealistic due to the constraints discussed. It is essential to have the flexibility to adjust this question.

Example 8: Revision of Project Question

Going back to our example, if students realizes they cannot gather real-time data, they might change the question to "What existing studies show the effects of plastic waste on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico?" This change keeps the project viable while maintaining focus on the original interest area.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding feasibility is vital for any extended project. By critically assessing time, access, skills, and resources, students will be better equipped to create a successful project that is manageable and within scope. Right-sizing the question and spotting hidden dependencies will further ensure a smoother project execution. Remember, if adjustments are necessary to the project scope or question, it is a part of the learning process and contributes to a successful outcome.

Study Notes

• Feasibility: The likelihood of completing a project based on constraints.
• Constraints: The four real constraints are time, access, skills, and resources.
• Right-Sizing: Adjust the project scope to fit within the constraints for successful completion.
• Hidden Dependencies: Factors that might complicate the project but are not initially apparent.
• Question Adjustment: Be prepared to modify the project question based on feasibility assessments.