Lesson 8.3 - Building a Plan
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to...
- Identify the main components of a functional project specification and explain the purpose of each section
- Develop a project idea into a full, detailed specification
Materials/Preparation
Pacing Guide
| Duration | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes | Do Now |
| 10 minutes | Review feature lists and flow chart |
| 20 minutes | Spec writing |
| 15 minutes | Building implementation plan |
| 5 minutes | Debrief and wrap-up |
Instructor's Notes
- Do Now
- Project the Do Now on the board, circulate around the class to check that students are working and understand the instructions.
- Review feature lists and flow chart
- If time allows, ask one or two students to share their feature list and/or flow chart and discuss with the class.
- Ensure that students have an understanding of the proper level of detail at this point.
- If time allows, ask one or two students to share their feature list and/or flow chart and discuss with the class.
- Spec writing
- Using the details from their pitch, their feature lists, their flow charts, and the feedback they've received, students should fill out the rest of the plan organizer.
- It is VITAL at this stage that students be as detailed and thorough as they can. Any missing information will complicate the process later when they realize what was left out. Encourage students to take their time and make sure they hit everything.
- While this process is happening, instructors should circulate through the class and check-in with student. Verify that they have a complete, well-thought out idea that is feasible to complete in the available time.
- If you have concerns about a student's ability to complete the proposed project, help them scope down by removing or simplifying features.
- Using the details from their pitch, their feature lists, their flow charts, and the feedback they've received, students should fill out the rest of the plan organizer.
- Implementation plan
- Students should use the details built in their plan organizer to list the tasks necessary on their Final Project Development Plan.
- Emphasize to students that tasks should be at a very low level of granularity (hence the time requirement being specified in minutes). If a single task has a time estimate of more than a few hours, the student should try to break the task into smaller pieces.
- Ensure that students do not skip "trivial" or "simple" tasks (such as building a script they have written before) or non-coding tasks (such as developing graphics) in their pla.
- Students should use the details built in their plan organizer to list the tasks necessary on their Final Project Development Plan.
- Debrief
- As class ends, remind students that their spec and implementation plan will be their guides throughout the process. They should update them each day and keep them with them at all times.
- Ideally, anytime there is a question about the requirements or scope of the project, the spec should have the answer. If not, it's a new idea and the spec needs to be updated acordingly.