Ethics Charter
How we will be ensuring that our project is a responsible project for the community stakeholders.
This project will not require an ethics charter because we will base the design of the walking sticks on data collected from research. We have gathered a collection of data from past research that had been conducted. This research includes data from various experiments from multiple different clinical trials. Using statistical analysis methods we will analyse and quantify data from previous experiments to construct the prototype.
We acknowledge that some testing might have to be done during as well as after the construction of the walking stick prototype. If such an occasion arises, any testing or experimentation will be done by the team members only. Even with the team member testing and experimenting no data will be collected. Any testing or experimentation will be purely to make sure the construction of the prototype is stable. No other persons will be recruited for our project for the remainder of this term.
The end goal of our project is to construct a walking stick prototype that can be used for research testing purposes in the future. So, it is possible that an ethics charter will be required after the end of the term if the prototype is approved by our Partner Garrett Melenka.
Project Charter
As the project progresses we learn and gain more experience on this multidisciplinary project. We have had to make many pivotal decisions in our directions and focus. As a result our project charter has evolved to take in to account many factor we have learned as a group, throughout this course, about each other, and what we seek to accomplish
Purpose Then and Now
At midterm our initial purpose was as follows:
“Can we create better walking poles to help people recover from leg injuries faster?”
Now, after we have conducted through research and had many in depth meetings regarding our findings. In addition to taking in to account our capabilities and other high level project factors such as ethics, stakeholders and desing learned so far in this course etc. Our purpose has be shifted slightly and is now:
“Can we create better walking poles to enhance research?”
Scope
After through research, and considering many important high level project factors, as a team our scope has evolved. The changes in the scope allows us to better tackle the problem at hand using our collective skills
This change in scope was to address the evolution of this project and the problem we wish to solve as a group. We are cognizant of our own capabilities and the time frames we have available and we want to achieve the maximum impact. The scope is slightly narrowed to be a more research oriented tool. We believe that giving better tools for researchers can lead to richer analysis and may lead a chain reaction of change as breakthroughs are made. Our scope has been adjusted to be a more foundational one to which can be expanded on top of later, without dismissing the previous ground work. For instance, to make this device consumer appropriate could be a possibility using the ground work of the research done so far with the tool to make it a more optimal experience for consumers.
Success Criteria
The evolution of our project has led us to redefine what sucess means for our project. Initially our success criteria was much larger and targeted a wider range of stakeholders. It is now much more focused, targeting a research based environment. This allows us to concentrate our attention in hopes to taking the solution as far as we can take it
Resources
Although our resources stay the same, the changes in our project have altered the way in which we utilize them. Due to the more research focused solution, there is now no need to actively collect any sensitive data from individuals leg injuries or Nordic Walking clubs. Instead we will reach out to them for guidance on what there needs are and how it can be incorporated in to our solution.
Constraints
Overall the constraints will categorically stay the same, but the proportion of weight of each constraint category will be shifted, as we focus more on prototyping of the Nordic Walking Pole. As the research portion is largely complete and we have gained more experience, this constraint is lessened. In terms of personnel, it becomes more of an issue of utilizing personnel effectively when it comes to the next stages. Time becomes more weighted as we are now past the halfway point and have less time. Lastly money will be a stronger concern as we will now require materials to build.
Risks
The accuracy of data and environmental risks remain the same at this stage. The reliability of testing is modified as the focus is to develop a research based device. Viability of using this tool for research is more important.
Milestones
As we pass the completion of the research phase we move on to the development phase, where previously they were our upcoming milestones they are now our current milestones
Actions & Results
Now that the research stage is completed we move on to the prototyping aspect of the project.
Stakeholders and Users
Our stake holder remain consistent at this stage. The main difference is the utilization of these resources as knowledge bases instead of any raw collection of data of any group. So for example where previously we wanted to collect data on Nordic Walkers, now we will be utilizing them as a source of expertise and advice. The users remain the same is is dependent on the type of research that is conducted
Team Charter
As our journey continues, we have been evolving together as a team and as individuals. During the first few months we defined what we wanted our team charter to be.
