2.6 Timelines
The final point to cover in this topic is that of timelines. In scoping your proposal you need to have a good idea of approximately how long it will take you to finalise the project, and the extent to which you have reflected on the project's risks and vulnerabilities.
For example, do you understand what ethics issues may be associated with your project and how long it may take to gain the necessary permits to proceed? In gathering together your proposed team, have you taken into account other activities in which they are involved and which could delay key aspects of your project? If your research project is dependent on a new piece of equipment, will it have to come from overseas? Have you discussed with anyone how long it might take to provide a space for it? Is there accommodation for your project team? The main point is to plan as well as you can with the knowledge that you have. (Topic 4 also introduces you to a useful tool called ‘Work Breakdown Structure’ (WBS) to better identify the real costs and requirements of your project.)
One of the final things to do to complete the scoping stage of your project is to conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you to determine whether or not you proceed with the proposal before venturing on to the grant-seeking phase.
SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis is a tool for examining the internal Strengths and Weaknesses and external Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) to achieving the desired objective – in this case a successful research outcome. The process consists of identifying and categorising factors within the organisation and in the external environment into:
- Strengths – factors within the organisation that will be helpful to achieving the project objective.
- Weaknesses – factors within the organisation that will be harmful to achieving the project objective.
- Opportunities – factors within the environment that will be helpful to achieving the project objective.
- Threats – factors within the environment that will be harmful to achieving the project objective.
Strengths and Opportunities are the features that can drive the project forward to success. The Weaknesses and Threats can block progress and lead to a lesser outcome. An assessment of the competing forces enables you to determine whether you can reduce the blocks and/or increase the drivers to increase the probability of success.
Setting out these features may help you to decide whether it is worth putting time and energy into the project, and the steps you may need to include in planning the project so it can proceed smoothly. A brief outline and template for the process is available at http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm
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