Training activity information
Details
Draft a project plan to deliver a specification within a defined timescale
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Project management principles and methodologies
- Identifying and managing risks to a project
- Ongoing project support
- Software life cycle
- The use of a computer as a clinical device
- Legislation and guidance
- Local and international standards, certifications and regulatory bodies
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key elements and sections that need to be included in a project plan to effectively deliver a specification? What are the critical factors for ensuring the specification is completed within the defined timescale?
- What aspects of project planning (e.g., task breakdown, time estimation, resource allocation, risk management) do you want to develop through this DTA? Are there specific project management methodologies relevant to this task that you want to explore?
- What information do you need regarding the scope of the specification and the specific deadlines? Have you considered potential dependencies between tasks involved in creating the specification? Have you reviewed any examples of project plans for similar software development tasks?
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the task of creating the project plan? What methods or tools are you using to define tasks, timelines, and resources? Why are you choosing this approach?
- What decisions are you making regarding the scope of the plan, level of detail, and dependencies between tasks?
- How effectively are your actions resulting in a comprehensive and realistic project plan?
- What challenges are you facing as you try to define tasks, estimate timescales, and consider potential risks?
- What can you learn from this process as it unfolds about the complexities of project planning and time management?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of project management methodologies?
- Are there alternative planning techniques or tools you could be considering?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment if you are struggling with aspects of the planning process?
- Are you considering the defined timescale and the deliverables realistically within your plan?
On action
- Outline the key components of the project plan you drafted, including the timeline and deliverables.
- What did you learn about project planning, especially in the context of delivering a specification? Were there any unforeseen challenges or successes in your planning process? How does project planning contribute to effective professional practice? Did your ongoing evaluation of the plan influence its development?
- What areas of project planning do you need to develop further? How will you apply these learnings to future projects? What are your next steps to enhance your project planning skills, and what support might be helpful?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in project planning since this DTA? How did your initial plan compare to the realities of subsequent projects? Have you discussed project planning strategies with peers and incorporated their insights?
- How has the experience of drafting a project plan influenced your approach to managing your time and tasks in other training activities? Has it helped you to better understand the importance of timelines and deliverables in software development?
- What transferable skills, such as organisation and time management, did you develop? What further actions can you take to enhance your project planning skills, perhaps by learning about different project management methodologies?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 9 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with legislation, ethics and best practice. |
| # 10 |
Outcome
Demonstrate effective communication skills with stakeholders and the multidisciplinary team. |