WRT333
Strategic Plan, Feasibility Study, Grant Proposal
Given 10/20 | Due 11/19
Note: There are THREE OPTIONS to this assignment. Options 2 and 3 will be posted ~10/22. You are to choose only one of the three for this assignment.
Options: 1—Strategic Plan | 2—Feasibility Study | 3—Grant Application
Option 1: The Strategic Plan
notes
Examples: A research office 5-year plan (MSWord) | A university 10-year plan
For this option, you will write a strategic plan. A plan is not a forecast. A strategic plan is about things to be done in the future, but we acknowledge that we do not know in advance what the future will bring. Future uncertainty ("We can't really plan because there is so much we don't know about the future.") is no excuse for not planning, however. Forecasting (uncertain when it tries to predict the future) and planning (addressing foreseen major changes) are quite different and should not be confused.
A strategic plan sets the stage for future action in the real world. As such, it is best viewed as a living document, part of a continuing process of planning, implementing, evaluating, and planning some more. That was the meaning of President Eisenhower's "Plans are nothing, planning is everything." In this context, future uncertainties are encompassed by allowing for future revisions of the plan. Creating a regular planning cycle (3-5 years) is an essential aspect of strategic planning, requiring a review and renewal of the plan from time to time.
Task: Having listened to the discussion of strategic planning in class, review the handouts. Your task is then to write a strategic plan of your own. You are asked to develop an entire strategic plan, from vision and mission statements through a list of milestones, from your own life. The plan should be personal, drawing from the real world, and applicable to you as an individual or as a member of a group.
Review the major components of the plan (see notes). If you are writing a personal plan, you may omit, at your discretion, the component "Programs." If you are not clear on the meaning of the other components, you are responsible for asking the instructor, in class, during an office hour, or via email.
- If you choose a plan for a group, you may want to discuss with group leaders the fact that you are doing this, and that it may benefit the group to join you in the exercise (although you will most likely complete the assignment before the group gets around to meeting). Alternatively, you can complete this exercise, writing a plan for the group alone. If you decide to then propose your plan for adoption by the group, our discussion of leadership styles for collaborative writing situations should be of use to you.
- If you choose a plan for yourself, your may want to use this exercise to reflect on long-term goals, and what you want to accomplish over the next 3-5 years. Your goals should be personal ("I'm going to be a better human being by..." or "I'm going to develop my ability to enjoy my leisure time by becoming / building a..." or "I'm going to become happy/effective/invaluable in the workplace by developing my capacities to...".). There is no limit to the nature of goals, each of which which may have many dimensions (social, psychological, economic, etc.).
The focus of the strategic plan is going to be on creating a vision of your future, a map to get there, an awareness of what you have going for you and against you, and a set of specific things you are going to do along the way. That is, it is less focused on solving a particular problem of today; rather, it focuses on deciding where you want to be, how you are going to get there, and what you expect to encounter along the way.
There is a long time allocated for this assignment; you will need self-discipline in pacing your work. As a guideline, you should have completed your first draft of vision and missions statements, background, and issues within 2 weeks.. Also in that period, you should have written a brief outline of your first ideas for the environmental analysis (internal and external SWOT), with lists for each (e.g., 3 strengths, 2 weaknesses, etc.)
The complete Plan is due November 19.
Option 2: The Feasibility Study
This option requires you to develop a feasibility study, exploring a decision involving two or more competing choices. The feasibility study should document thinking about the major decisions that go into reaching a final conclusion of which choice to pursue.
Task: Review your class notes on the discussion of the feasibility study and read the materials provided. Make sure that you understand the major components, which are required in your plan
- Needs analysis
- System Identification, including exogenous and overt variables
- Problem formulation
- Generation of system alternatives
- Determination of physical, social and political realizability
Your choice of a focus for this study is up to you. Should you decide to pursue this option, you are strongly urged to discuss it with Dr. Logan before proceding. Either meet with him before or after class or make an office visit.
The complete Study is due November 19.
Option 3: The Grant Application
Develop a full proposal for submission to the URI Undergraduate Research Initiative: Awards for Scholarly, Creative and Artistic Projects. Guidelines, application form, and a budget form are available online, here.
From the program description:
The program provides funds to undergraduates to participate in original research or creative or artistic projects of their own design. These projects require supervision by a faculty sponsor.
To apply for a grant, a student (or group of up to three students) must complete a proposal form and submit the proposal along with a letter of support from a faculty sponsor. For any project involving human or animal subjects, the proposal must state whether or not Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval is critical to the aspect of the project for which funding is sought, and provide evidence that approval is being sought where relevant. Any group focused on a single project is eligible for individual project level funding, i.e., $800, plus $200 for each additional student in the group, up to three students.
The grants have certain limitations: (1) a student can receive only one award in an academic year; (2) funds may be used only to support projects which include original student research, creative or artistic endeavors; (3) where necessary, IRB or IACUC approval must be obtained by April 1, 2010; and (4) upon completion of the project the student must submit a final report to the faculty sponsor and the Director of Research Development. Grantees are requested to cite this support in any publicity that may result from their project.
Proposals must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. November 25, 2009 to be considered for an award. Applicants will be notified in mid-December of the status of their applications.
Preparation of the proposal is extremely open ended. There are forms to fill, and an outline to follow (see application form (MSWord)). The proposal itself is to be limited to 3 pages.
You are encouraged to explore this, as it it local, it is flexible, and it may open up possibilities for independent study, internships, etc.
Note that this assignment is due November 19. Note, too, that the real grant proposal is due November 25. You are encouraged to consider applying, meaning you will also have to find and get the support of a letter-writing faculty advisor. If you want to pursue this, I suggest that you get a draft of the proposal completed as early as possible so that we can go over it and get a final draft completed on time. I also urge you to contact any potential faculty advisors as soon as possible.
Note that success in this program, even though the financial amount may be small, is a positive line on anyone's resume.