What would be your reaction if you spent months carrying out a school project, only for it to be thrown out on grounds of being irrelevant, inadmissible, or downright outrageous? Not very happy, I would say. To avoid such scenarios and censor the type of projects being carried out, schools require that every student taking this kind of an assignment to submit a capstone project proposal first.
Every capstone project begins with a project proposal. It is submitted to your instructor or school panel that reviews and either approves or rejects it. Thus, you can also think of a proposal as a plan or project blueprint.
Given that the capstone project proposal is integral to your success in the whole thing, we at Help for Assessment are here to show you how to do it properly.
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Back to the capstone project proposal guide. This article will cover all the main aspects of how to write it including:
What is a Capstone Project Proposal?
A capstone project proposal is a brief document that outlines what your capstone project is about, the steps you intend to follow while doing it, the resources you will need, and an outline of the project itself. It is more or less your blueprint for the entire project.
The purpose of a capstone project proposal is to help your instructor understand what your project is about. In the case where you are seeking assistance from the school such as funding or the use of school facilities, the proposal helps to convince them of why those resources should be allocated to you.
The proposal is also a big help to you as a student. Before you commit a lot of time and resources to the project, it forces you to take a look ahead at where you're going, what you want to achieve, and the investment you will need to put in to do that.
Capstone projects vary widely from discipline to discipline, but the proposal follows a standard format. Your instructor might provide you with a template and accompanying instructions, or they may not.
In any case, there are certain qualities you need to aim for if your proposal is to be successfully approved.
Qualities of a Good Capstone Project Proposal
1. Brief
The length of a good capstone project proposal should be between 1 and 4 pages.
Anything longer is discouraged unless your instructor says otherwise. Thus, refine it until it is concise, clear, and direct.
2. Structured
The information flow should be clear and logical. It should be a document that a person can scan through in minutes and get what you’re talking about.
Thus, present it in an easy to understand manner.
3. Straightforward
The person reviewing your proposal wants answers to questions such as:
What is your project about? How will you do it? What resources will you need, and how will you get them? Who will be involved?
Provide these answers simply and directly in your proposal and you stand a much better chance of impressing them. The content of the proposal should all aim toward this one goal.
4. Compelling
The language you use should be convincing. Be confident about what you want to do, be enthusiastic, and share your enthusiasm.
Prove why you think the project will work and how relevant it is in your field.
5. Detailed
Even though the proposal should be brief, include as much detail as is needed to support your points.
Format of a Capstone Project Proposal
Title
This will be the same title you will use in the capstone project write-up, so take your time to craft a brief, direct, all-inclusive title for the proposal.
One way to come up with a good title is to write down the research problem as a question then craft your title in response to that question.
You should also try to make the title as intriguing as possible to get your readers interested in what you have to say.
Abstract
In 150-200 words, describe what the project is about. Give the rationale for the project, i.e, why you think it is important and should be carried out.
Also, describe your methodology, analysis, and expected findings.
Think of the rationale as to the social implications of the project you are about to undertake.
How will it help the organization you work for or society at large? Describe the original contributions your project will have to the target group.
Research Problem
This is the problem statement of the project proposal. Give your thesis statement in one sentence, keeping in mind that it is the same statement you will use in the actual project write-up.
In the case of a project deliverable or creative project, describe the product you will develop, and the rationale behind it.
Describe what format your deliverable will be, e.g. a video, website, software, new curriculum, health or education program, policy paper, etc.
Literature Review
You shouldwrite a descriptive literature review of all the sources you have used and cited for your project proposal including books, online sources, and papers.
You can use these same sources in the project itself or choose to go for another set.
Methodology/Project Design
Explain how you intend to do what you want to do. Start with the method of inquiry which can include textual research, scientific experimentation, statistical data collection, qualitative study, or any other method.
Describe also, in detail, how this data will be gathered, processed, analyzed, and what resources or manpower will be needed to do this.
At the same time, explain the hypotheses and theoretical academic approaches in use which form the backbone of your project.
Timeline
Detail the steps of your project and state when you expect to do what. This can usually be given in the form of a table with specific dates.
Also, state when you will be meeting with your supervisor/mentor and giving progress updates.
Description of the Final Product/Expected Results
For a research project, explain what results you expect based on existing data about the same.
For creative projects, describe what the final product will be, how you expect it to look like, and how it will work. How will it help/affect the target group? How will you evaluate its efficacy and success?
Such a project will also need specific documentation, usually called a rationale report or just a report. Describe such kind of documentation format.
Resources Needed Including Expected Budget
This is a crucial part. Give a detailed record of all the resources you expect or need to use in the course of your project.
If you need funding, give a breakdown of how the money will be used and how much in total is needed.
State how you expect it to be funded, either through school funding or external sponsorship.
In the same way, state what school resources you need. Laboratory access, data access, support by school personnel, computers, or machines belonging to the school or an outside entity, and everything in between.
Reference list
This is a list of all the citations and sources used while writing the project proposal.
Tips on How To Write a Capstone Project Proposal
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FAQs
Capstone Project Proposal: What It Is And How to Write One? ›
A capstone project proposal is a brief document that outlines what your capstone project is about, the steps you intend to follow while doing it, the resources you will need, and an outline of the project itself. It is more or less your blueprint for the entire project.
What is a capstone project example? ›Writing, directing, and filming a public-service announcement that will be aired on public-access television. Designing and building a product, computer program, app, or robot to address a specific need, such as assisting the disabled.
What is a capstone project in simple words? ›Capstone Project Definition. A Capstone Project is a multifaceted body of work that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.
What is capstone project writing? ›The capstone project is usually the final assignment and plays a vital role in preparing students for the world of work thanks to its practical applications and ability to help hone students' professional knowledge and skills.
How do you write a capstone project proposal? ›- Cover page with: Title. ...
- Project Summary. A brief summary of the overall goal of the project and the final outcomes to be developed from. ...
- Literature Review or Annotated Work to Support the Project. ...
- Methods of Project. ...
- Timeline. ...
- Final Product. ...
- Dissemination. ...
- References.
- Evaluation of free clinic process.
- The role of project management in effective political campaigns.
- The practice of ethical thinking in administration.
- Modern strategies for rate of return and capital investment.
- The importance of conflict administration for big companies.
- Parts of a Scientific & Scholarly Paper.
- Title.
- Abstract.
- Introduction.
- Methods.
- Results.
- Discussion.
A capstone course has expectations similar to a project. The difference is that the scope of the project is defined so that the results can be achieved within a semester. Also, students work with the instructor of the course (or another faculty member, if required) rather than a faculty committee.
How many pages is a capstone project? ›In most cases, the capstone project will be an interdisciplinary study of approximately 25-35 pages in length that demonstrates graduate level research and writing skills.
How long is a capstone project? ›Capstone Projects vary in length, but you can expect to spend about 4 to 8 weeks working on your project, making revisions, and reviewing the work of your peers. Most Capstone Projects require about 40 hours of total work time.
What is done in a capstone project? ›
A capstone project or capstone experience involves the identification of an existing problem in a real-world setting and the application of learned skills and methods to develop a solution that addresses the problem directly.
Is capstone project easy? ›“Capstones are too easy.”
Rather, they are rigorous, well-rounded academic undertakings. Capstones require research, community input, analysis, experimentation, public speaking and a formal presentation. Many educators compare the project to a National Science Fair presentation—or better yet, a Master's dissertation.
Still, when writing your senior capstone project, it may go up to 80-100 pages, especially if you are going for a doctoral program. Speaking of college students, the maximum length that is usually accepted is 10,000 words, not counting your references.
What does a capstone proposal look like? ›A capstone project proposal is a brief document that outlines what your capstone project is about, the steps you intend to follow while doing it, the resources you will need, and an outline of the project itself. It is more or less your blueprint for the entire project.
What are the parts of capstone proposal? ›- Abstract.
- Introduction.
- Literature Review.
- Methodology.
- Findings.
- Discussions.
- Step 1: Select a topic area. ...
- Step 2: Do a literature review. ...
- Step 3: Doing primary research (for those students required to do so). ...
- Step 4: Present your results.
A capstone is similar to a thesis in that the starting point involves strengths that one needs for a thesis or dissertation work. A student needs to think about the skeletal structure of research and form their theory, hypothesis, and problem statement.
Do colleges look at capstone projects? ›Still, if you take Capstone, aspects of the program—especially the long research paper—will likely look desirable to most colleges. The independent research AP Capstone requires could be the topic of a college essay or at least something substantial to talk about in an interview.
Why is it called a capstone project? ›The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the USA since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.
What are examples of deliverables for a capstone project? ›Your capstone requires execution of a project in which the final product is a potential deliverable for a work- place audience accompanied by a rationale report. Example deliverables include a training manual, a set of public relations materials, a website (design and content), or a usability assessment.
What is the difference between capstone and research? ›
Research projects focus more on developing or proposing theories, whereas capstone projects focus more on achieving tangible or intangible results through research.
Can you fail a capstone project? ›Yes, you can fail a capstone course. However, failing a capstone course at some universities could disqualify you from graduating from that particular major or program. Other schools could require you to revise your capstone project until it's approved or you receive a passing grade.
What is another word for capstone project? ›| peak | pinnacle |
|---|---|
| finale | flower |
| payoff | consummation |
| upper limit | best part |
| crowning moment | utmost extent |
A capstone might be called a culmination project, senior thesis, or a final exhibition.
Is capstone harder than thesis? ›Thesis and capstone projects synthesize your overall learning, taking the knowledge you've gained throughout your program and applying it to your own research. A thesis, which often requires more intensive research than a capstone, may span multiple years depending on the level of the psychology program.
What makes a good capstone? ›The capstone should be a culminating set of personal, academic, and professional experiences. In a capstone course, students synthesize, integrate, and/or apply their previous knowledge, rather than acquire new knowledge or skills. Students demonstrate mastery, not learn new knowledge/skills.
What is the difference between thesis and capstone project? ›They both follow a similar basic format and represent a scholarly effort of high quality. However, practice-based programs can use a capstone project to emphasize preparation of the student for professional practice. In contrast, a thesis is an academic-focused research project with broader applicability.
Does everyone do a capstone project? ›No, not all colleges require capstone research projects. Additionally, some schools and programs may only make them mandatory in certain instances, such as specific degree levels or majors. Generally, a thesis or similar research experience is more common for graduate degrees than undergraduate degrees.
How many chapters are in capstone? ›At some colleges and universities, there is no difference between the words “thesis” and “Capstone Project”, but generally these are five-chapter papers that explore a new and original research topic. Nonetheless, both types of papers amount to the same writing process.
What are the two required components of the capstone project? ›The Capstone Project consists of two components: (1) a written portion and (2) a presentation of the research in a public academic, professional, or creative forum.
How many people fail capstone? ›
Fail rate: 87.03%.
What are the common questions in capstone project? ›- What is the Capstone Project/Course? ...
- What are some of the advantages for students? ...
- How big are the project teams? ...
- Where do projects come from? ...
- What background will the students bring to the Capstone Project? ...
- What is the process for getting a project submitted as a potential Capstone Project?
Definition. A capstone is a multilayered project that serves as a culminating academic experience for students, typically at the end of an academic program, whereas a thesis is a long research paper that typically serves as the final project for a university degree.
What are the 4 elements of a project proposal? ›- Essential elements for a. project proposal.
- Background.
- Objectives. Expected outcomes.
- Budget.
Plan, Timeline, & Budget
This is the part of the project proposal where you lay out exactly how the project described in the project scope will be completed.
- Why? – Introduction and Background, Statement of Problem.
- What? – Possible and Proposed Solutions, Analysis, Implementation.
- How? – How much will it cost?
- Step 1: Define the problem. ...
- Step 2: Present your solution. ...
- Step 3: Define your deliverables and success criteria. ...
- Step 4: State your plan or approach. ...
- Step 5: Outline your schedule and budget.
- Understand What the Client is Looking For. ...
- Know Your Costs. ...
- Know Your Team's Capabilities. ...
- Be Specific. ...
- Avoid Excessive Jargon. ...
- Include Persuasive Proof. ...
- Provide a Call to Action. ...
- Include Your Contact Information.
“Capstones are too easy.”
Rather, they are rigorous, well-rounded academic undertakings. Capstones require research, community input, analysis, experimentation, public speaking and a formal presentation. Many educators compare the project to a National Science Fair presentation—or better yet, a Master's dissertation.
Research projects focus more on developing or proposing theories, whereas capstone projects focus more on achieving tangible or intangible results through research.
Is a capstone project the same as a thesis? ›
They both follow a similar basic format and represent a scholarly effort of high quality. However, practice-based programs can use a capstone project to emphasize preparation of the student for professional practice. In contrast, a thesis is an academic-focused research project with broader applicability.
What are common questions in capstone? ›- What is the Capstone Project/Course? ...
- What are some of the advantages for students? ...
- How big are the project teams? ...
- Where do projects come from? ...
- What background will the students bring to the Capstone Project? ...
- What is the process for getting a project submitted as a potential Capstone Project?
The term derives from the final decorative coping or "cap-stone" used to complete a building or monument. In higher education, the term has been in common use in the USA since the mid-twentieth century, although there is evidence that it was in use as early as the late 1800s.