First Meeting - 14/10/11

My first meeting with Jim has been the initial opportunity to illicit specific project requirements.  As this project already has a foundation that I must extend through the Physics Engine, there is a smaller amount of creativity required, but a far greater need to comply with existing restrictions and parameters.

I have been presented with two options regarding the structure of the project.  One choice was to simply create  this project in my own way, as a prototype stand alone for something of my choosing, or to become involved with the existing project and deliver something that can actually be put to use within the system.  I have chosen the latter as this will allow me to become a part of something real within a professional environment and actually contribute something to a production.  This will allow me a greater understanding of what to expect in a relevant environment by giving me the opportunity to act in the role that my career will eventually propel me towards.

We have discussed the first official deliverable, which is the initial project report, and I have understood what is required of me during this first stage.  The presentation, which will take place in front of two supervisors, is a way for me to demonstrate that I understand what is required of me and to show how I aim to plan out the project duration.

This presentation will be broken into two segments: 

1. User Requirements and Objectives:

Here is where the bulk of my presentation will take place as this is where I will be describing that I have understood what is required of me and how I aim to fulfil these obligations.  I aim to focus around a single aim and then supplement this with several others', that are not as integral, but still important to the project.  This part must have complete clarity in indicating how I will progress and what I will deliver.  

I will indicate what I guarantee as a deliverable but also include items that could be included if time permits.  These will be extras and whether they are delivered or not, my final report will document how they could be implemented.  Each of these items will undergo a feasibility study. Each objective detailed will have a deliverable associated with it.

I intend on presenting methods that I will use for solving this problem and indicate how I plan to proceed with regard to specific aims rather than giving detailed technical explanations.  This will take the form of backtracking, where I will look at the aims, then the results and deliverables that meet with these aims, the methodology required to achieve these deliverables and results and the sources and references used to being work on the methodology.  The final stage is ensuring that I have access to the facilities and resources required to complete this project.

2. Project Work Plan:

The second stage of this presentation will be significantly smaller, but if anything; more vital to the success of the project.  Here is where I will demonstrate that I have appropriately planned out the project timeline and can show a feasible plan for the workload, based on deadlines and milestones, that will allow me to achieve success.

The next stage of the project is fully document the technical details, including input, output and processing, and start to tie these into the objectives.  When I have completed the objectives and understand each stage that I must take in the project, then I can begin evaluating specific tasks and plotting them onto the timeline.