PROJ07026 2022 Polymer Project

Identify a problem which needs to be addressed of importance to the organisation.

Utilise an appropriate structured approach to manage the project with realistic, interim and overall project objectives.

Prepare a written report which outlines in detail the background to the project, the methodology used, discussion, conclusions and recommendations.

Present project results with Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations and discuss the approach taken and results achieved.

This module incorporates the principles of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and takes a gradual approach from analysing the environment to putting a draft solution and assessment of that solution in place and on to implementation and testing. Findings are drawn from the case study or research and dissertation is documented. 

The project will be assessed continuously through the academic year. The following structure of assessment is to be followed, regardless of the project nature:

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT - LOGBOOK: With three individual submissions along the academic year, the logbook aim to induce a culture of record keeping, rationale project evolution, and auto critical reflection. The submissions in three distinct stage of the academic year have for goal the assessment of: the original idea and its feasibility; the project evolution and progression; the project conclusion and readiness for presentation and delivery. Considering the logbook is not marked on its content, marks are given following individual live consultation. The logbook is used as tool of connection between the academic supervisor and the learner, and allows the supervisor a close accompanying of project evolution.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS: with a single submission half way through the academic year, the assignment in Project Management Tools requires the learner to adapt their project to organisation tools taught in classroom. Work Breakdown Structure, Table of Dependencies, Critical Path Diagram, and Gantt Chart are requested, as each of the tools have their own merit on any type of project execution. The assignment is conceived to be delivered in the midway point of the module, given the learner time to stablish and plan the project, identify and inform stakeholders, and develop limitations and circumvention of initial ideas.

DISSERTATION AND FINAL PRESENTATION: at the end of the academic year, learners are required to write a short dissertation about the entire scope of the project. The dissertation structure is to be conceived following the text structure commonly encountered on engineering scientific articles. Along with the dissertation, learners are invited to a 10 minute long oral presentation, where the project execution is summarised and submitted to scrutiny and questioning. Below is detailed the demands for the written dissertation, as well as rubrics detailing marking criteria.

Students enrolled on this module were invited to write a short dissertation, describing the evolution of their project execution. Projects were allowed to be executed following one of two approaches: Research or Work based projects. Research-based projects follow scientific method to address hypothesis and aim overall contribution to knowledge generation. Work-based projects follow Six Sigma DMAIC approach and aim overall improvement on the companies where the project is executed. The rubrics below is set to be used as a basis of evaluation of all projects independently from its approach.

All dissertations must: be written in English and contain at least 3000 words, grammar is not a criterion included in the marking. The dissertation must contain at least 10 references, where only scientific articles and books count towards reference count. References must be expressed both on the text – format Author, Date – and on the Reference List at the end of the dissertation. The dissertation must include figures and tables, where subtitles are relevant to information being conveyed through the image/table. The mandatory textual structure to be followed by all delivered dissertations: Literature Review, Objectives, Methodology, Results & Discussion, Conclusions. Any section from the specified structure that is not included on the dissertation must be marked as Not Compliant.

Repeat submission of final dissertation with required amendments made. 

Syllabus Content

• The student should bring the learning from the subjects covered in the course to conceive, define and agree a project which is relevant to the students course of study.
• Various types of projects may be undertaken depending on whether the student is full time or part time and their course of study.  Examples of these are as follows:

Project Type A: Six Sigma DMAIC

The Six Sigma project will be undertaken by the student and should address a substantive issue in the workplace. The project will test the student's ability to define a real-life problem of concern to the organisation, design a strategy for addressing the problem, gather data, formulate and evaluate options and make recommendations. The project should follow the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. While it is recommended that the problem is addressed as part of a cross-functional team, it is important that the student makes a significant contribution to the success of the project. A financial saving should be identified. The Green belt is normally expected to contribute annualised savings from €30,000 - €100,000. The amount of savings will depend on the size of the company, sales revenue, number of employees and opportunities for improvements.

The Six Sigma project will also cover the following areas:

1. Project management basics

•· Project charter and problem statement

•· Define and describe elements of a project charter and develop a problem statement, including baseline and improvement goals.

•· Project scope

•· Assist with the development of project definition/scope using Pareto charts, process maps, etc.

•· Assist with the development of primary and consequential metrics (e.g., quality, cycle time, cost) and establish key project metrics that relate to the voice of the customer.

•·  Use project tools such as Gantt charts, critical path method (CPM), and program evaluation and review technique (PERT) charts, etc.

•· Provide input and select the proper vehicle for presenting project documentation (e.g., spreadsheet output, storyboards, etc.) at phase reviews, management reviews and other presentations.

•· Describe the purpose and benefit of project risk analysis, including resources, financials, impact on customers and other stakeholders, etc.

• Describe the objectives achieved and apply the lessons learned to identify additional opportunities.

 2. Team dynamics and performance

•·  Define and describe the stages of team evolution, including forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning, and recognition. Identify and help resolve negative dynamics such as overbearing, dominant, or reluctant participants, the unquestioned acceptance of opinions as facts, groupthink, feuding, floundering, the rush to accomplishment, attribution, discounts, plops, digressions, tangents,

•· Describe and define the roles and responsibilities of participants on six sigma and other teams, including black belt, master black belt, green belt, champion, executive, coach, facilitator, team member, sponsor, process owner, etc.

•· Define and apply team tools such as brainstorming, nominal group technique, multi-voting, etc.

•· Use effective and appropriate communication techniques for different situations to overcome barriers to project success.

Project Type B: Research Project

Alternatively, a suitable research project may be undertaken by agreement with the project supervisor. Typical research projects often include, polymer material analyis or product design.  The principal difference between this type of project and Project Type A is that there will be minimal practical work and no requirement to show cost savings for the research project. There will also be a greater emphasis on the students background research and literature review of the chosen topic.

Note: The Research project type is NOT suitable for students wishing to pursue a Six Sigma Green Belt award.