Fail
to Plan-Plan to Fail
“Young Scientist of the Year”
Project Plan
A statistical investigation of the effects of bacteria on plant germination
Date of Issue: dd/mm/yyyy
Project Managers: Students at Myschool
Please note that the views, opinions, conclusions and other content information expressed in this document have been drawn together for the purpose of illustration based on written reports and interviews given relating to the project “A statistical investigation of the effects of diazotroph bacteria on plant germination”. The details of this document have not been given or endorsed directly by Kinsale Community School or by the students who conducted the investigation. The major part of this plan has been put together based on project planning principles. The format of this Plan is in accordance with BPPM’s project planning template.
1.1.2.1 Select Project Resources
1.1.2.3 Critical Success Factors
1 A statistical investigation of the effects of bacteria on plant germination
This document is the project plan for “A statistical investigation” to measure the effects of bacteria on plant germination, and incorporates all amendments, scope changes and updates to the original project plan arising from the lessons learned. It provides an overview of the project using plain and un-ambiguous terms, such that it can be used as a reference for stakeholders. It outlines the elements necessary to produce the product of the project. It may also be of interest to students conducting projects of a similar nature in the future.
This project is based around bacteria, which are well known to have a symbiotic relationship with the legume plant family whereby the bacteria thrive while providing energy to the plant itself via the nitrogen fixation process (ref, year). The project outlines an extensive experimental program to assess the impact of such bacteria on non-legume crop species.
1.1 Project Initiation
The project was initiated when nodules were found on roots that contained bacteria and it went from there. The germination stage is one of the riskiest times in crop growth because of losses particularly from adverse weather (ref, year). This project is expected to provide solid scientific proof that the addition of given bacteria to seeds of non-legume plants significantly accelerates the rate of germination hence potentially increasing yields of valuable crops.
1.1.1 Project Charter
This Charter gives authority to commence project planning for carrying out a statistical investigation.
Objectives
The over-riding Goal of the project is to Improve Educational Outcomes. The purpose is to (a) Expand Knowledge (b) Contribute to Research (c) Improve Career Options.
Stakeholders
The primary
stakeholders are the students conducting the investigation and their
teacher, etc….
The secondary project
stakeholders are their parents, teachers at Myschool, BT Young Scientist
Competition, Dept. of Education etc.
The tertiary project
stakeholders are biology researchers, cereal producers etc.
Budget
The amount of time the students, teachers and other human resources spend on the project is included in the budget as hours. The rate per hour is set at €1 per each resource for demonstration purposes. Equipment and raw materials used for the project and owned by the school or the students’ families are not charged to the project. Any purchases made specifically for the projects are charged to the project. The € budget for the project is €50 and the Human Resource hours budget is 300.
Funding
The funding is provided by the students.
Timescale
Give the planned project start and completion date. Take the date of the charter if you wish. The students revealed that, after coming up with the idea in February, they put in long hours carrying out their projects.
Resources
Outline the amount and timeframes for the estimated resource requirements to be in place.
Project Roles
Briefly outline the roles of project human resources. Project Team, Sponsor (e.g teacher), Families, Advisors, School Steering Group etc.)
Signed
____________
(Project sponsor) Date:_____
1.1.2 Success Framework
“This stage commences officially following Project Charter Approval (e.g. Project Proposal Approval). The preparatory work for this stage is done while drawing up the charter for approval.”
1.1.2.1 Select Project Resources
“The business requirements are the specifications that describe the functions that the product is expected to provide. The identification and attainment of Project Resources is the first order of business meeting those requirements. Resource requirements are unique to every project but generally require a mix of internal and external Human, Capital and Financial Resources. Outline here or in an appendix the selection process for resources e.g. project team, equipment, advisors, request for proposal, and business case for funding. You may wish to outline the timeframe of contracts as some resources may be coming on to the project earlier than others.”
Project Team.
The team is made up of the students conducting the investigation CJ, ÉH,and SHT. You may wish to allocate roles and responsibilities.
Advisors
SH and any other named or yet un-named resources that may be called upon.
Plant
The experiments are to be performed at home and in school.
Equipment
Raw materials are to be sourced from families and the school. Materials (e.g incubators, agitators, transfer chamber etc) are to be designed by the project team. Any purchases to be made will be made locally where possible.
1.1.2.2 Project outputs
The product objectives and the project management objectives can be combined under the heading of Project outputs.
The product objectives are:
| Hands-on Experience | Apply Concepts |
| Learn Project Skills | Share Knowledge |
| Prove Scientific Relevance | Encourage Further Research |
| Enter Science Competition | Build Relationships |
| Represent School | Promote Science Literacy |
The project Management objectives are (a) Meet stakeholder
needs (b) Deliver within Time-frame and (c) Operate within budget.
1.1.2.3 Critical Success Factors
(Example) The Critical Success Factors are:
| Clear Objectives | Competent Advisors |
| Committed Team | Sponsor Support |
| Family Support | etc. |
2012 - 2020 BPPM CRO Reg. No. 463423