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Final Project Document Outline

Research Paper (total of 7-10 pages):

- Title page with Running head: (1 page)

- Abstract or Executive Summary ( 1 page)

- Introduction Page (1 page)

- Double-spaced (Times New Roman, size 12 font. Arial, or Courier are also acceptable font types for this

project.) (5 pages of text)

- References Page (5- 8 references) Remember the References page should also be double-spaced.

NOTE: This outline is to help you start your project. The titles are guidelines and to help you organize

your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to modify by adding and changing titles according to your

project.

Abstract - OR - Executive Summary (not both)

The abstract is an overview that provides the reader with the main points and results, though it is not merely a

listing of what the report contains. It is a summary of the essence of a report. For this reason, it should be

crafted to present the most complete and compelling information possible. It is not a detective story building

suspense as the reader hunts for clues, and should not be vague or obtuse in its content.

The abstract should include

•Why the work was done (the basic problem), the specific purpose or objective, and the scope of the work if

that is relevant. (College lab reports may not require this part of the abstract.)

•How the work was done, the test methods or means of investigation

•What was found—the results, conclusions, and recommendations

The abstract should

•Not make references to material in the text

•Not lose the message by burying the methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations in a sea of words

•Not be written before the rest of the report

An executive summary is a one-page statement of the problem, the purpose of the communication, and a

summary of the results, conclusions, and recommendations. The same considerations of readers and situation

should guide your executive summaries.

Introduction

(The title for this page may vary depending on the project.) The introduction states the problem and its

significance, states the technical goals of the work, and usually contains background information that the reader

needs to know in order to understand the report. Consider, as you begin your introduction, who your readers are

and what background knowledge they have. For example, the information needed by someone educated in

medicine could be very different from someone working in your own field of engineering.

The introduction might include any or all of the following.

•Problems that gave rise to the investigation

•The purpose of the assignment (what the writer was asked to do)

•History or theory behind the investigation Literature on the subject

•Methods of investigation

Background or Context

This section gives the theory or previous work on which the experimental work is based if that information has

not been included in the introduction

Problem or Innovation

What is the problem for this project? Be succinct in providing the reason that this work should be done-not

more than two paragraphs. Is this a solution to a problem that can be solved with technology? Or is this an

innovation that can help humanity, business, or non-profit and needs at least one of the modules that we learned

in this course. The solution should be an implementable solution, with the existing technology.

Project Goal

What is the proposed goal or solution to the problem? What do you hope to achieve with completing this

project?

SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats)

SWOT analysis should be done thoroughly. SWOT analysis identifies the immediate issues with the

organization. However, in this case you should SWOT your proposed Solution or project Innovation.

Solution

What is the proposed solution to be profitable and cost effective; while at the same time, benefitting the

employees as well. Justify this by using a return on investment (ROI) or feasibility study.

Conclusion

Accomplishments and lessons learned. What should be done in the future to ensure the company is succeeding.

References

APA formatting (with 5 - 8 references – MINIMUM of FIVE different sources!) REMEMBER THE RULE –

If you cite you must Reference and if you Reference a source you must cite at least once from that source!