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Expert Tips for Writing a Project Description With Free Templates

By Kate Eby | May 25, 2021

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A strong project description provides a roadmap for stakeholders and communicates the vision without getting bogged down in details. We’ve compiled expert tips and sample project descriptions to help you get started. 

In this article, you’ll find a project description outline , steps for writing a project description , expert tips , and examples of project descriptions by industry .

What Is a Project Description?

A project description is a high-level overview of why you’re doing a project. The document explains a project’s objectives and its essential qualities. Think of it as the elevator pitch that focuses on what and why without delving into how. 

You typically draft a project description early on, during the project initiation phase of the project management lifecycle.

The project manager often writes the project description. However, if you are working for an agency that seeks grant funding or writing a research proposal, you might need to learn how to write a project description in a project proposal.

The project description should include an overview of the following:

• Project goals and objectives
• Stakeholders and their roles
• Metrics for measuring success
• Estimated budget

The tricky part is figuring out what doesn’t belong in the project description. The description should focus on goals, objectives, and the overall approach, but you don’t need to include lists of tasks, an extensive background, or research analysis. In general, the project description is broad; you’ll include more detail in the project plan.

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Project Description Outline

The parts of a project description will vary depending on the type of project. However, your project description should contain the following elements:

Parts of a Project Description Outline

• Project Title: Aim for a short, unambiguous, and memorable title. 
• Overview: This is a high-level summary (no more than one or two paragraphs).
• Project Justification: Explain the problem or opportunity and why the project is necessary.
• Objectives: Set specific and measurable project goals.
• Phases of Work: Break down the project into phases that describe the desired outcome for each.
• Metrics for Evaluating and Monitoring: Include the metrics you’ll use to evaluate the project’s success. 
• Timeline: Outline the timeline for each phase, including the basic tasks that you will accomplish, with start and end dates.
• Estimated Budget: Include the budget and projected costs.

How to Write a Project Description

Although writing a project description will vary somewhat depending on the type of project, the basic process is the same. The following 10 steps are key to writing a good project description.

• Summarize: Write a one- or two-paragraph explanation of what the project aims to accomplish. Avoid delving deep into background or past projects. A good project summary will not only serve as your elevator speech, but will also help you clarify larger issues with your plan.
• Define: Describe the problem or opportunity and how the project will address it.
• Specific: Answer who, what, when, where, and why.
• Measurable: Include metrics for defining success.
• Achievable: Set goals that are possible to accomplish with the available resources.
• Relevant: Goals should be aligned with your organization’s mission.
• Time-bound: Include intermediate and final deadlines for each goal.
• Explain: Briefly explain your methodology. Include any key technologies or project management techniques you’ll use and why they’re appropriate.
• Measure: Identify the project deliverables . How will you measure success and evaluate the project?
• Schedule: Include a general timeline, with project phases and milestones. Be sure to note any important deadlines.
• Budget: Include the total estimated cost of the project and how much you have budgeted. (Note that this shouldn’t be a line item budget.) Use a project budget template for a more detailed breakdown of budgeted and actual project expenses.
• Get feedback: Seek feedback from key stakeholders, customers, and anyone impacted by the project for feedback. Ask them to explain the project in their own words to get a sense of how clearly you’ve communicated the vision.
• Proofread: Have someone else proofread the project description. In addition to spelling and grammatical errors, ask them to look for missing details that are significant to the project.
• Revise: Update and revise the document as the project progresses. Treat the project description as a living document.

A 10-Step Checklist for Writing a Project Description

Now that you know how to write a project description, use this checklist to help you focus on the key details.

Types of Project Descriptions With Examples

In this section, you’ll find a variety of free, customizable project description templates. We’ve completed them with sample information so that you can get an idea of how to write a description that fits your needs. You can also download a free project documentation template to help you track its progress.

Architectural Project Description Template

Download Architectural Project Description Template

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

An architectural project description should start with a summary that explains the need for the project. Briefly identify the site, any key design features and aesthetic considerations, and a broad timeline. Keep it simple, and write for the general public. Here’s an example of an architectural project description summary for a downtown parking garage:

After you summarize the project, use the architectural project description template to create a customizable action plan. Include a breakdown of work by phases. Note any communications and approvals needed to ensure success.

Client Creative Project Brief Template

Download Client Creative Brief Template

Microsoft Excel | Smartsheet

Create a client creative project brief  to ensure a project strategy aligns with client goals. Creative briefs are frequently used for projects involving graphic design, videography, or marketing campaigns. Start by briefly describing the project, objectives, and deadlines. The following client creative project brief provides an overview of a holiday marketing campaign.

The format will vary based on the type of project. In the client creative project template example above, you’ll find a number of kickoff questions about the campaign’s target audience, key components, and messaging. If this template doesn’t meet your needs, check out other Smartsheet client creative briefs and marketing project plan templates .

Grant Project Description Template

Download Grant Project Description Template 

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF  

When you’re applying for grant funding or planning a grant-funded project, it’s essential to identify the target population and how they’ll benefit from project activities. Focus on why the project is necessary, rather than on the needs of your organization. The following example describes a grant project for a program seeking funding to combat childhood hunger:

This grant project description template breaks down the description into separate sections for the problem to be addressed, goals and objectives, target population, project activities, and key staff. It provides additional space for background information, measurable outcomes, and a timeline and budget, and it includes separate columns for income sources and expenses.

Interior Design Project Description Template

Download Interior Design Project Description Template

Microsoft Word | Google Docs

An interior design project description is similar to a client creative project brief. You’ll use the project overview to spell out a vision for the project that syncs with the client’s needs. The following interior design project description summarizes a residential kitchen remodel project.

Use the remainder of the interior design project description template to document the client’s likes and dislikes in greater detail. The template includes space to note the client’s preferences for general style, as well as colors, patterns, textiles, furnishings, and more. You’ll also find space to include measurements, a floor sketch, a project schedule, and a budget.

IT Project Description Template

Download IT Project Description Template

Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

An IT project description should start with a basic summary that condenses key background information and what the project entails. Keep it simple, and explain the project in lay terms. The following IT project description summary provides an overview of a plan to develop a mobile ordering app for a fast casual restaurant:

This IT project description template includes space for goals, assumptions, measurements of success, and risks. Additionally, the template includes space for a breakdown of the scope of work, including processes impacted by the project, milestones, costs, and resources.

Software Project Description Template

Download Software Project Description Template

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

A software project description should start with an overview that explains the type of software that will be developed, the problem it will solve, and the benefits to users and the business. The overview shouldn’t focus on the technical aspects of the project, but instead on the final product and its benefits. This software project description example gives an overview of a point-of-sale (POS) system under development for a brewery.

Once you’ve completed the overview, use this software project description template to explain purposes and goals in greater detail. The template includes sections for obstacles, risk factors, hardware compatibility, and software employed. Other features include a detailed breakdown of the project’s timeline and cost structure.

For other project description templates, please refer to our Free Project Description Templates article .

PMP Project Description

If you’re a project manager seeking the Project Management Professional certification, you’ll need either 36 or 60 months of professional experience leading projects, depending on your education level. 

The Project Management Institute (PMI) requires you to submit each project as its own entry on the application and include the following:

• A one-sentence project objective.
• Your role in accomplishing project deliverables in each of the five phases of project management : initiating (IN), planning (PL), executing (EX), monitoring and controlling (MC), and closing (CL).
• A brief description of project outcome.

You can use this PMP application project description example for guidance:

• Objective: Redesign Company XYZ’s website to improve lead generation by 25 percent.
• Project Deliverables: I was the project manager for Company XYZ’s redesign. I drafted the project charter and recruited a team of four IT staffers to complete the project (IN). I created the work breakdown structure, timeline, and budget, and I met with stakeholders to assess project contingencies and risks (PL). I coordinated between departments, provided quality assurance, and managed the four-person team throughout the project (EX). I conducted risk audits and communicated results to stakeholders (MC). I obtained stakeholder feedback, archived project documents, and held multidepartment training once the redesign was completed (CL).
• Outcome: Company XYZ’s website redesign was completed $10,000 under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. Lead generation increased by 30 percent within six months.

How to Write a Project Description in a CV or Resume

Writing a project description for successful past projects can give you an edge when you’re a job candidate or looking for new clients. When writing a project description for your CV, resume, or portfolio, clearly state the project objective, your role, and the outcome.

Continuing with the example above, here’s a project management project description sample to avoid in your resume because it’s vague. The second project description is a more effective example. It also highlights the most significant accomplishments and responsibilities first.

Project Description Before Example

IT Project Manager, Company XYZ Project: Website redesign

• Managed a highly successful redesign
• Provided leadership throughout the project
• Updated key stakeholders in a timely manner
• Coordinated communications and staff trainings
• Completed the project under budget and ahead of schedule, resulting in improved sales

Project Description After Example

IT Project Manager, Company XYZ Project: Website redesign with goal of increasing lead generation by 25%

• Managed website redesign that resulted in a 30% increase in lead generation
• Completed the project $10,000 under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule
• Recruited and managed a team of four IT staffers
• Created the work breakdown structure, timeline, and budget; assessed project contingencies and risks
• Communicated with key stakeholders throughout the project; trained staff across departments once the project was complete

Tips for Writing a Good Project Description

To write an effective project description, draft early in the process. Keep it high-level without going into too much detail or background. Use the description to generate interest among a broad audience. Keep it brief and free of jargon.

• Clear: Keep writing straight to the point and don’t include unnecessary jargon. 
• Concise: Focus on the project itself, rather than on background information.
• Complete: This can be a challenge when you’re also aiming for concision. Regardless, the description should include the key points your audience needs to understand the project. 
• Credible: Only cite authoritative sources and the most up-to-date information.
• Draft the Project Description Early in the Process: Gregory Carson, PMP, is a biomedical engineer, attorney, and patent agent with more than 20 years of project management experience and who owns Carson Patents . Carson suggests drafting the project description early, ideally as soon as the idea occurs to you or your team. The description will serve as the summary roadmap to refer back to throughout the project. “All of the other details have some direct relationship to the project description, so having the project description well drafted before you begin the execution planning can save you time and frustration, in particular as changes need to be included,” Carson says. At the end of the project, you’ll want to refer back to the document to show that the project fulfilled the goals and objectives.
• Make a Memorable First Impression: Alan Zucker, PMP, is a project manager with more than 25 years working with Fortune 100 companies and founder of the website Project Management Essentials . He says that a project description should motivate. The goal is for people to understand and support the project after reading the description. “When crafting your pitch, remember that most people will form their initial impressions about the project within the first 30 seconds. Lead with a strong statement and a powerful image of the project’s benefit,” Zucker says.
• Write for a Broad Audience: A common mistake when writing a project description is targeting too narrow of an audience. “There is usually no lack of attention on the stakeholders that are funding the project, and they are important audience members for the project description to focus on,” Carson says. “But particular attention focused on the stakeholders who will benefit from the project often leads to helpful insights for the project.” Getting feedback on the description from a broader audience is also helpful. Zucker suggests reviewing the description with key stakeholders, customers, and those impacted by the project. “After reading your description, see if they can restate it in their own words,” Zucker suggests. “Was the restatement what you intended? If not, then continue to revise the description based on the feedback.”
• Avoid Excessive Details, Especially Early On: Your project description should convey a vision, rather than provide a detailed implementation plan. Don’t worry too much about planning out details in the description phase —  Zucker suggests that you simply make sure there’s a clear understanding of the project’s goals and why you want to proceed. “The description will evolve as we learn more about the project,” Zucker says. “Don’t worry about committing too early. Part of that evolutionary process is sharing the description and getting feedback on it.” Keeping a high-level focus will help generate buy-in for the project. Carson says it’s key to describe the project so that others “can understand and appreciate your marvel.” “You don’t want to pontificate to the point where people stop reading or get confused about any of the goals and objectives,” he says.
• Ask Someone to Proofread Your Project Description: Proofreading and editing are essential when you finalize your project description. But if you wrote the description, recruit someone else to edit it. “Too often as we write, we ‘remember’ what we were writing about and can miss little details, even spelling and grammar, that can impact the meaning and importance of a project and its description,” Carson says. Don’t be surprised if you need to revise and rewrite a few times. It’s all part of the process of crafting your message.

How to Write a Brief Description of a Project

Focus on the project and the problem it addresses. Avoid delving into background info or referencing other projects. Emphasize the what and why without excessive detail about the tasks it requires. This can be your pitch to sell the project.

What Is a Project Description in a Project Proposal?

A project description in a project proposal is a brief summary of the goals, the objectives, and the need for the project. It shouldn’t be more than one or two paragraphs. The project proposal will provide more detailed information.

What Is a Project Description in a Thesis?

A project description in a thesis outlines the research you’re undertaking, typically as part of graduate studies. It includes your working title, your research goals, basic methodology, and why the research is needed.

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How to Write a Project Description: A Quick Guide

A project description seems self-explanatory, but don’t underestimate a well-written project description as it sets your project up for success. It acts as a communication tool for stakeholders and shares the project vision in a clear and actionable fashion.

Let’s talk a look at what a project description is, why it’s so important and how to write an impactful one. Then we’ll throw in some free project management templates that can get you started and show how project management tools help turn the project description into a reality.

What Is a Project Description?

A project description outlines the details of one project, including all its phases and processes involved, in a single document. It addresses the problem that initiated the project and the desired goals and objectives.

But it doesn’t have to stop there. The project description can also go into planning, including the activities that the team will execute, the timeline and even the location of the project. The benefits of the project are also outlined in the project description.

This is done at the initiation phase of the project and will be referred to throughout the project as a refresher. The project manager is responsible for writing the project description and helps guide the project manager and their team throughout the life cycle of the project.

In a sense, the project description is the setup and the project execution is the delivery. But a project description, as helpful as it is, will not manage and track your project to help it stay on schedule. What you need is project management software.

ProjectManager is online project management software that helps you plan, manage and track your project in real time to make more insightful decisions. Turn your project description into an actionable plan with our robust Gantt charts. Organize tasks on a visual timeline, link all four dependencies and filter for the critical path. Then set a baseline and track project variance to better manage cost and time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Project Description vs. Project Proposal

The project description is part of the larger project proposal. While the project description covers a lot of ground, it’s really more of a high-level view of the project. While some expand on the description to include more planning with the objectives, it’s still a cursory look.

The project proposal is a more expansive document. In this context, the project description is just a summary of what is to come in the larger project proposal, which will flesh out that outline. The project proposal will sometimes refer to the project description as an executive summary . Whatever it’s called, it’s the lead into the bigger picture.

Naturally, a project proposal goes more in-depth. There are sections on the background or history of the previous projects, requirements for the project, the approach, such as techniques and skills in executing the project and, finally, who the decision-makers in the project are.

Project Description vs. Project Summary

A project description isn’t a project summary, though they might sound the same. As we’ve discussed, a project description is more of a high-level overview of the project being proposed. It’s usually the opening of the project proposal when a project is being pitched.

The purpose of the project is explained in the project description. It also briefly describes how the project will run and what it plans to achieve. A project summary is far more detailed. It’s very much like the project proposal defined above in that it goes into background, processes and more.

However, these terms are often used to describe different things. A project summary is more commonly used as a project description as an introduction to the project proposal . Whatever you call it, in this context, they share the same definition of being a brief overview of the project.

How to Write a Project Description: 6 Key Steps

Writing a project description is more difficult than it might seem. Yes, it’s brief, but that means every word must count. To accomplish this, you need to understand the project inside and out, from its purpose to its scope . But the project is described simply without leaving out any key details.

That said, everything that’s critical to the project plan should be included. You don’t want to leave out anything relevant or leave anything that’s out of date. Everything in the project description should connect to the purpose of the project. Now you’re ready to write the project description, which should follow these six steps.

1. Summarize

Begin with an outline that should only be a few lines long, but answers the who, what, where, how and why of the project.

Explain the reason for the project, such as the problem it solves or the niche it fills. This will define the purpose of the project.

Show your project stakeholders why this project is worth the investment. Prove that they’ll get a good return and explain your metrics if necessary.

4. Evaluate

Make a cost-benefit analysis and show how you plan to measure those gains against the cost of the project.

5. Explain the Project Approach

Here you want to briefly explain how you’ll meet the project goals and objectives. Describe the project management methodology and resources that will be used.

6. Estimate the Timeline

Forecast the duration of the project, including the working hours and resources for each phase of the project’s life cycle.

When Should You Write a Project Description?

Now that you know the why and the how for a project description, it’s time to explore the when. Obviously, the project description is one of the first things that you’ll write as it’s often the lead to a project proposal.

Writing the project description is part of the initiation stage of the project life cycle. This is the point at which a project is defined, evaluated, and, possibly, authorized by the project sponsor.

It’s best not to write the summary until you’ve done the groundwork of defining key deliverables, risks, an estimate of costs and resources. The amount of work this takes is dependent on how big or complex the project is.

Why Is It Important to Write a Project Description?

The project description is the opening in your attempt to prove the validity of the project and its return on investment (ROI). It should make the reader, whether they’re a customer, sponsor or stakeholder, understand the project and why it’s right for them.

It also acts almost as a blueprint or roadmap for the project. The project description contains important information about the project. This includes a brief look at costs and duration, all of which will make clear what it’ll take to implement the project .

What you’re doing isn’t only selling the project but also setting realistic project expectations. It’s critical that the stakeholders know the key objectives and the time and costs associated with achieving them. That way, if the project is approved, it’ll be easier to manage stakeholder expectations because you’ve already created a baseline.

Free Project Management Templates

In order to help you write a thorough project description, ProjectManager has free templates to give you a head start. Our site features dozens of free project management templates for Excel and Word that cover all the phases of a project. The following are just a few that relate to our topic.

Executive Summary Template

The executive summary is very close to a product description. It covers similar ground and can even be interchangeable with the project description. Using our free executive summary template for Word will lay out everything you need to fill in for a thorough project description.

Project Proposal Template

The project description or executive summary is the first section of any project proposal. Since you’ll need to write a description and a proposal, our free project proposal template for Word includes the intro and all the other important information you’ll need to include to get approval.

Project Budget Template

You’ll have to estimate the cost of the project in your project description. Our project budget template for Excel is more detailed than what you’ll need but all that work will come in handy if the project is approved and you have to create a budget.

How ProjectManager Turns a Project Description Into a Project Plan

The project description ideally leads to an approved project. Now you’ll have to turn the elements that you touched on into a workable project plan. ProjectManager is online project management software that has real-time tools to help you meet your objectives without going over schedule or budget.

Use The Tools You Want

While the Gantt chart is great for project managers to visually plan their schedule, it’s not the best for the team when assigned tasks to execute. That’s why we offer multiple project views, all of which are updated together in real time. Now teams can choose the tools they prefer to work with, whether that’s our robust task lists or the visual workflow of a kanban board.

Monitor Progress and Performance in Real Time

Giving teams the freedom to work how they want doesn’t mean you can’t manage them. Our real-time dashboard automatically gathers data on time, costs, workload and more. It then calculates and displays these metrics in easy-to-read graphs and charts. Best of all, there’s no setup required as with lightweight competitors. It’s plug-and-play.

Of course, your stakeholders are also going to want to stay updated on progress. They won’t need the high-level view of a dashboard, which is why we also have customizable reports that can provide greater detail. It just takes a couple of keystrokes to generate status reports, project variance reports and more. Then easily share them with stakeholders.

Related Project Description Content

We’ve touched on executive summaries, project proposals and more. If you want a more in-depth look at them, below is some related content. Remember, ProjectManager is more than empowering software. We’re also the online hub for all things project management, publishing blogs weekly and offering free guides and templates.

• How to Write an Executive Summary: A Quick Guide
• How to Write a Project Proposal (Steps & Template Included)
• Project Planning Guide
• Project Scheduling Guide
• 7 Steps for a Successful Project Budget

ProjectManager is award-winning software that helps you plan, manage and track your projects in real time. Our risk management, task management and resource management features keep you on schedule and budget. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who are using our software to deliver success. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

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How to Write a Project Description: Key Criteria and Steps

by Daniel Linman · Published October 31, 2011 · Updated July 11, 2023

A well-written description of any project makes it possible for the intended audience (e.g., the sponsor, the customer) to understand the concept and context of the proposed project and to realize whether to approve and finance the project.

Writing a project description document is a general task of the project manager or deputy, who is supposed to correctly and comprehensively identify the idea, goals, background, approach, outcomes, and other data.

Furthermore, the document should define the project as a worthwhile, economically practical, and reasonable endeavor to convince the sponsor of the need to make the necessary investments.

In this blog, I’m going to talk about the following:

• Project description definition
• Criteria to use to write this document efficiently
• Typical structure and sections of the document
• Steps to take to develop the document content

Project Description: Definition

Project Description  is a formally written declaration of the project and its idea and context to explain the goals and objectives to be reached, the business need and problem to be addressed, potentials pitfalls and challenges, approaches and execution methods, resource estimates, people and organizations involved, and other relevant information that explains the need for project startup and aims to describe the amount of work planned for implementation.

The project description focuses on creating a clear and correct understanding of the project in the minds of the people and organizations involved in the planning and development process. The project team (which is supposed to do the project) uses the document to get a general idea of what amount of work and under what requirements is planned for completion. The senior management team regards the project description as the vital source of preliminary information necessary for strategic planning and development.

I need to note that some people are confused with the terms “ project description ” and “ project background . “ They might regard both terms as equivalent. But the terms are not the same, and they have different meanings. Earlier, in one of our publications, we briefly discussed the  project background  and how it differs from the project description. Please read more  here . I also recommend the service at  www.domyassignment.com , which delivers plagiarism-free “ do my assignment ” orders to students worldwide.

Writing Criteria: The 4C Rule

When writing a project description for requesting funding, it is always essential to keep the structure and content of the document clear and understandable for the target audience.

Personally, I try to follow the  rule of 4C  when I need to write a description for my future project or when I’m in charge of leading the team who are supposed to do this job. The rule says that the project description is written well and efficiently if it is  Clear, Concise, Complete, and Credible . The 4C practice serves as the critical criterion for document writing and development.

Keep this rule up when you describe the content and idea of your project. Here’s what I mean:

• Clear  means your document uses simple, generally accepted, and unambiguous words and sentences to describe the critical point. It would help if you never tried to make the document more complicated by using confusing words and ambiguous instructions in the text. You can only use special terms and definitions if the project requires that (e.g., in an engineering project, it may be necessary to write about some technical terms and math calculations). However, avoiding special terms and definitions in project descriptions is best.
• Concise means the project description “describes the project” without reference to other projects or unrelated information. It would help if you never mentioned something directly linked to your project and its context. Otherwise, you’re likely to confuse the reader or keep the reader unfocused on the critical points of your project.
• Complete means that your description includes everything that concerns and deals with the project. Although you must keep the document  concise  (as I said above), there is the need to make sure the text is 100% complete for the intended audience. You must be sure that the document covers every critical aspect required for the reader to understand and comprehend the project and its context.
• Credible means you refer to up-to-date and relevant information in your project description document only. You should never use data unrelated to the matter or that does not support the idea of your project.

I engage my team in following the 4C rule at every step of project development. We regard this rule as a  foreseeing method  ( 4C = Foresee ) that lets us minimize the risk of failure, predict future events and ensure the success of our effort by developing Clear, Concise, Complete, and Credible documentation. Therefore, we use the method as the  critical criterion  for writing any project document, whether it is the project description, the  scope statement , a kind of report, the funding request, the  feasibility study report , or anything else.

The Structure of a Project Description

Below I list the key steps you can take to develop the structure and content of your sample project description. Please use the given checklist as an additional guide for creating the document.

A sample project description paper includes the following structure:

• Section 1. Project Title and Overview . The project title must refer to something other than the business need and the problem to be tackled. It must simply state what kind of project is conducted (e.g., “ Increasing Employee Efficiency ” or “ Improving My Project Management Methods “) and how it will contribute to the intended business or personal goal.
• Section 2. Purpose and Need . In this section, you need to describe/explain the project’s primary goal. The objective of the project should be set in favorable terms. You must never forget that the purpose of a project is not merely to complete a job but rather to change something for the better (e.g., improve the business, fulfill customer orders promptly, increase employee efficiency or productivity, save public funds by decreasing the number of people in a project team, etc.).
• Section 3. Business Drivers and Significance . You must describe the problem that needs solving and its potential impact on the business or personal goals. It would help if you were sure to mention the problem, or part of it, in sufficient detail. At the same time, you want to ensure that the reader understands how the context of your project aligns with the overall business objectives. For example, if your project will reduce costs or enhance customer satisfaction, you need to explain how it will do that
• Section 4. Benefits and Costs . In this section, clearly state the  project’s business benefits  and how much it will cost. Also, it would help if you clarified that there is a business case for conducting the project. References to the  project appraisal  and cost-benefit analysis are also required here.
• Section 5. Implementation Method . This section concerns the process, standards, and practices for conducting and managing your project. You have to describe a  preferred project management method . Besides, you need to indicate the team members’ primary responsibilities, including who is responsible for each task.
• Section 6. Timeline . Here you can include a simple Gantt chart or an activity timeline to show the  project schedule  and milestones. A simple task list also would be helpful.
• Section 7. Requirements . You should describe the project’s requirements and boundaries according to the organization’s policies and procedures. You may use templates provided by the organization you are working with, or you can write your own needs if the company does not have a project management policy.
• Section 8. Expected Outcomes . Finally, you want to include the results and benefits of the project, as well as critical success factors here. These results must be quantifiable and measurable. They must prove that the project is worth completing, not that they have written the project document thoroughly and credibly.
• Section 9. Appendices . You may include any additional information (e.g. reference lists, glossaries, tables, diagrams and other visual aids) here.

Each section should be kept short and precise. Each paragraph in the project description should contain one main idea contributing to your project’s overall understanding. At the end of each paragraph, you should use bullets to list the main project objectives and tasks.

Key Writing Steps

Taking into account the typical elements of the document structure, you must complete the following steps to write a project description template:

• Summarize . Summarizing the project means explaining the aims, outcomes, significance and benefits. You must use 3-5 sentences (or less) for writing the summary. The title of your project is to be placed at the beginning of the paper. Avoid using unnecessary and parenthetic words and expressions.
• Define . Defining the project means explaining what purpose to reach and what needs to address. Under the goal, you write about the primary intent for the project startup. Under the need, you must define the business problem to be solved or the opportunity to be exploited.
• Justify . Justifying the project means proving that the project underpins some business goals and is significant to success of the performing organization. You must identify business drivers that lead change to the project and determine how the project impacts the performance of the organization.
• Evaluate . Evaluating means identifying the benefits gained upon successfully completing the project. You need to use the cost-benefit analysis results to explain the ratio between the benefits and the cost to be covered.
• Approach . Approaching the project means selecting, approving and describing a method that is efficient for implementing the goals and objectives of the project within the current operational environment. You must have an approach and a methodology explaining how to phase the project and what lifecycle to follow.
• Schedule. Scheduling means preliminary estimating the time length needed for the project. You’ll need to develop a timeline showing the total estimated working hours required. Note that the timetable will be used later during the planning phase to create the project schedule and estimate activity durations.
• Wrap. Wrapping  the project is a slang word I use here to explain the need to state the requirements for your project. Wrapping means identifying all those limits, demands, conditions, and other parameters that define the user’s expectations and interests in the product and the implementation process. The requirements  wrap up  the project, making it limited and bounded in terms of user expectations.
• Compensate . Compensating the project means identifying the results to be gained as a compensation of all those resources and effort invested in the implementation process. You need to create a description of the desired outcomes that are anticipated upon successful completion of the project. This data will be used later in developing the deliverables list.

When all the steps of writing the project description are taken and completed, you must review the document for errors and mistakes to ensure it is correct. In addition, you should follow the 4C rule to check and manage every piece of data included in the paper. Also, Dr. Will Cantrell (Michigan Technological University)  recommends these tips .

I hope my publication was helpful for you. Please drop a line or more about your vision of the project description document, or just leave your comment on the article. Your feedback is appreciated! Thanks.

Wrapping Up

Writing a project description may sound like tedious routine work, but remember that the document represents the essential part of your business plan. Also, it is worth noting that your sample project description may be updated and changed to suit the needs and requirements of a particular industry – healthcare project management, for example.

After you complete the document, you can easily integrate the project into your system. And it is not just the description that you need to create but also any form of the business or operational plan, which is much more detailed and technical.

Tags: criteria how-to steps

Daniel Linman

Daniel is a business analyst for a Canadian software company. He has worked on various IT projects but is most interested in systems architecture and software development. In his free time, Daniel enjoys playing the guitar, loves going for hikes, and spending time with his family.

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Writing a Project Description

When writing a project description for external funding always think of your audience. It is essential to use plain English, define your key terms and cite key international and easily accessible references wherever possible. Succinctness and clarity is key.

All funding agencies have a page limit with 6-8 pages being common. A quality application is readable, feasible and interesting.

The following structure may not necessarily suit all submissions. Always read the guidelines and then read them again.

Don't hesitate to contact your Research Development Officer (RDO)  for assistance.

Project title

Your project title should:

• Use less than 20 words
• Be catchy and memorable.

Project summary

The project summary:

• Is usually limited to 50-100 words
• Includes aims, outcomes, significance and social and/or economic benefits of the research
• Is often best written last
• Should use language suitable for public/press release
• Can be used as a marketing tool.

Consider the following:

• What is the field of study? What is the object of the research?
• Keep aims clear and succinct 
• Dot points can work well 
• Think about the nature of the research – basic, strategic, applied or experimental 
• Ask is it genuinely feasible? Does it replicate work done elsewhere?
• Let the reader know the context of the research issues
• Use subheadings to identify themes and/or other issues
• How do people achieve that objective now? 
• Are there any current unresolved issues in your field? Why are they unresolved or unsatisfactory? How do you think you will overcome the problem/issue? 
• Bring out your knowledge of the field and literature. Let readers know you have the expertise. You are not only selling the idea, but also the researcher and/or research team 
• Include information about recent international progress in the field of the research, and the relationship of this proposal to work in the field generally 
• Define your key terms and cite key international and easily accessible references wherever possible

Significance and innovation

Describe and detail the significance of the research and whether the research addresses an important problem. Ask yourself the following:

• Why undertake the research?
• Will I strengthen basic knowledge? 
• Will I provide the answer to an important practical or significant problem? 
• Does my project have particular resonance for the future e.g. global environmental issues? 
• How will the anticipated outcomes advance the knowledge base of the discipline? 
• What is novel and innovative about the approach I am using? 
• What new methodologies or technologies will be developed?

Approach and training

• Describe the conceptual framework
• Describe the design and methods to be used 
• Explain how these are appropriate and how they integrate with the aims of the project 
• Provide step-by-step detail 
• How will you collect your data and what will you do with it i.e. what framework will inform your analysis? 
• Convince the reader you understand/have experience in undertaking qualitative/quantitative research

If the research work provides research training explain how the intellectual content and scale of the work proposed will be deserving of a research higher degree. If the research training is embedded in a larger project, describe/separate the part that the student will focus on.

Timetabling

This is a measure of the project's feasibility and your chance to let readers know who is doing what. You should:

• Link phases of the research plan/approach with the anticipated timeline
• List any milestones – draft reports etc. 
• Build in any ethics clearances required.

Expected outcomes

Describe the expected outcomes and likely impact of the proposed research. You should:

• Link to the aims – what will the anticiapted results be of what you plan to do? 
• Be realistic as you will be judged on these outcomes 
• Check the University's Intellectual Property Policy.

Communication of results

Outline plans for communicating the research results by thinking of both the users and benefits of the this research. Consideration should be given to each of the following:

• If communication of results will be undertaken formally through journal articles or conference presentations, try to be specific and name the journals and conferences. 
• If communication of results will be undertaken informally, name the interest groups, types of reports, websites, etc. you will use/target
• Media strategies
• Training of students

Benefit of the research

Describe how the research project might result in economic and/or social benefits. Consider the following questions:

• Why are you doing the research?
• What are the expected benefits for the specific industry and/or industry sector? List separately. 
• What are the expected benefits for the Australian community more broadly?

Description of personnel

Summarise the role, responsibilities and contributions of each investigator.

• Who brings what expertise? Which part of the project are they driving if relevant? 
• You should also summarise the roles and levels of involvement of other participants e.g. technical staff, students, research assistants and/or research associates.
• Include a list of all references. Usually these also must be within the page limit.
• Cite only the key international, substantive and easily accessible references wherever possible. 
• Avoid using a footnote system, use endnotes instead.

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How to do a research project for your academic study

• Link copied!

Writing a research report is part of most university degrees, so it is essential you know what one is and how to write one. This guide on how to do a research project for your university degree shows you what to do at each stage, taking you from planning to finishing the project.

What is a research project? 

The big question is: what is a research project? A research project for students is an extended essay that presents a question or statement for analysis and evaluation. During a research project, you will present your own ideas and research on a subject alongside analysing existing knowledge. 

How to write a research report 

The next section covers the research project steps necessary to producing a research paper. 

Developing a research question or statement 

Research project topics will vary depending on the course you study. The best research project ideas develop from areas you already have an interest in and where you have existing knowledge. 

The area of study needs to be specific as it will be much easier to cover fully. If your topic is too broad, you are at risk of not having an in-depth project. You can, however, also make your topic too narrow and there will not be enough research to be done. To make sure you don’t run into either of these problems, it’s a great idea to create sub-topics and questions to ensure you are able to complete suitable research. 

A research project example question would be: How will modern technologies change the way of teaching in the future? 

Finding and evaluating sources 

Secondary research is a large part of your research project as it makes up the literature review section. It is essential to use credible sources as failing to do so may decrease the validity of your research project.

Examples of secondary research include:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• Scholarly articles
• Newspapers 

Great places to find your sources are the University library and Google Scholar. Both will give you many opportunities to find the credible sources you need. However, you need to make sure you are evaluating whether they are fit for purpose before including them in your research project as you do not want to include out of date information. 

When evaluating sources, you need to ask yourself:

• Is the information provided by an expert?
• How well does the source answer the research question?
• What does the source contribute to its field?
• Is the source valid? e.g. does it contain bias and is the information up-to-date?

It is important to ensure that you have a variety of sources in order to avoid bias. A successful research paper will present more than one point of view and the best way to do this is to not rely too heavily on just one author or publication. 

Conducting research 

For a research project, you will need to conduct primary research. This is the original research you will gather to further develop your research project. The most common types of primary research are interviews and surveys as these allow for many and varied results. 

Examples of primary research include: 

• Interviews and surveys 
• Focus groups 
• Experiments 
• Research diaries 

If you are looking to study in the UK and have an interest in bettering your research skills, The University of Sheffield is a  world top 100 research university  which will provide great research opportunities and resources for your project. 

Research report format  

Now that you understand the basics of how to write a research project, you now need to look at what goes into each section. The research project format is just as important as the research itself. Without a clear structure you will not be able to present your findings concisely. 

A research paper is made up of seven sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and results, discussion, conclusion, and references. You need to make sure you are including a list of correctly cited references to avoid accusations of plagiarism. 

Introduction 

The introduction is where you will present your hypothesis and provide context for why you are doing the project. Here you will include relevant background information, present your research aims and explain why the research is important. 

Literature review  

The literature review is where you will analyse and evaluate existing research within your subject area. This section is where your secondary research will be presented. A literature review is an integral part of your research project as it brings validity to your research aims. 

What to include when writing your literature review:

• A description of the publications
• A summary of the main points
• An evaluation on the contribution to the area of study
• Potential flaws and gaps in the research 

Methodology

The research paper methodology outlines the process of your data collection. This is where you will present your primary research. The aim of the methodology section is to answer two questions: 

• Why did you select the research methods you used?
• How do these methods contribute towards your research hypothesis? 

In this section you will not be writing about your findings, but the ways in which you are going to try and achieve them. You need to state whether your methodology will be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. 

• Qualitative – first hand observations such as interviews, focus groups, case studies and questionnaires. The data collected will generally be non-numerical. 
• Quantitative – research that deals in numbers and logic. The data collected will focus on statistics and numerical patterns.
• Mixed – includes both quantitative and qualitative research.

The methodology section should always be written in the past tense, even if you have already started your data collection. 

Findings and results 

In this section you will present the findings and results of your primary research. Here you will give a concise and factual summary of your findings using tables and graphs where appropriate. 

Discussion 

The discussion section is where you will talk about your findings in detail. Here you need to relate your results to your hypothesis, explaining what you found out and the significance of the research. 

It is a good idea to talk about any areas with disappointing or surprising results and address the limitations within the research project. This will balance your project and steer you away from bias.

Some questions to consider when writing your discussion: 

• To what extent was the hypothesis supported?
• Was your research method appropriate?
• Was there unexpected data that affected your results?
• To what extent was your research validated by other sources?

Conclusion 

The conclusion is where you will bring your research project to a close. In this section you will not only be restating your research aims and how you achieved them, but also discussing the wider significance of your research project. You will talk about the successes and failures of the project, and how you would approach further study. 

It is essential you do not bring any new ideas into your conclusion; this section is used only to summarise what you have already stated in the project. 

References 

As a research project is your own ideas blended with information and research from existing knowledge, you must include a list of correctly cited references. Creating a list of references will allow the reader to easily evaluate the quality of your secondary research whilst also saving you from potential plagiarism accusations. 

The way in which you cite your sources will vary depending on the university standard.

If you are an international student looking to  study a degree in the UK , The University of Sheffield International College has a range of  pathway programmes  to prepare you for university study. Undertaking a Research Project is one of the core modules for the  Pre-Masters programme  at The University of Sheffield International College.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best topic for research .

It’s a good idea to choose a topic you have existing knowledge on, or one that you are interested in. This will make the research process easier; as you have an idea of where and what to look for in your sources, as well as more enjoyable as it’s a topic you want to know more about.

What should a research project include? 

There are seven main sections to a research project, these are:

• Introduction – the aims of the project and what you hope to achieve
• Literature review – evaluating and reviewing existing knowledge on the topic
• Methodology – the methods you will use for your primary research
• Findings and results – presenting the data from your primary research
• Discussion – summarising and analysing your research and what you have found out
• Conclusion – how the project went (successes and failures), areas for future study
• List of references – correctly cited sources that have been used throughout the project. 

How long is a research project? 

The length of a research project will depend on the level study and the nature of the subject. There is no one length for research papers, however the average dissertation style essay can be anywhere from 4,000 to 15,000+ words. 

Your new research website

Building an online presence for your research group that is easy to maintain in the long term, describing your research project.

The goal in trying to improve the web site is to show off the work of the department. This document describes how to write a short piece (extended abstract length) that will allow you to do that. We don’t expect what you produce to perfectly fit the guidelines described here, just for you to keep this specification (and the philosophy behind it) in mind as you compose. If you have any questions at all about this, please don’t hesitate to contact Sunny Bains < [email protected] >.

You should not think of your research project summary as a technical paper, but as an advertisement for your work and your expertise (so that people want to read your publications, collaborate with you, and give you money). The main thing is to get across the importance of what you’re doing, how you are doing it, and the expertise that you and your group have that make you qualified to be able to succeed at it.

However, we don’t want it to be too fluffy. When people within your own field read about the project, we want them to have some idea of how your work differs from your competitors, which may involve getting a little bit technical and/or referring to your publications.

Essentially, you are having to address three different audiences at once. First is a general technical audience (we’ll call it G) consisting of people from very different disciplines: if you are an computer scientist, it may be useful to think of a reader who is a microbiologist. This class of people is important because it includes industrial managers, sponsors, civil servants etc.: people who have technical backgrounds but don’t necessarily have any knowledge that is relevant to your particular work. These are often people who hold purse strings and make employment decisions.

Second is the subset of readers within your general discipline (we’ll call this D): other computer scientists. They have degrees in CS (possibly from many years ago), but their work may be drastically different to yours (for instance, consider someone in machine vision trying to talk to someone working in quantum computing). Finally, there are those people who are actually specialists in your field who want to know the meat of your technological contribution (we’ll call them S).

The formula to please all your audience is very simple. A typical 500-word project description (plus one picture with a short caption and as many references as you want) will normally consist of about five roughly 100-word paragraphs that should be addressed to the following audiences: G, G, D, S, G. For fuller details, the actual content, see the outline—with examples—below.

Finally, as you go along, please think carefully about the publications you want to reference and also, if you can, about any pictures that could be used to illustrate your work. If it’s a diagram and you’re concerned it’s ugly, remember we can have it redrawn for you: the idea is to choose something that really communicates what you’re doing.

Name of the project with important acronyms spelled out  (General technical audience)

Keep it short (ten words or fewer), straightforward, and as free from jargon as you can.

FUSE: Floodplain underground sensors

Short description  (General technical audience)

This is not an abstract, just a sentence or two summing up what the project is about: the whole thing should be no longer than 35 words. It is going to show up in lists and will always be seen with the name of the project above it. For example:

We are creating enhanced algorithms that perform pattern matching for applications like medical screening and biometric identification. Novel coding allows them to operate orders of magnitude faster than current approaches and with a lower false-positive rate.

Paragraph 1: The problem (General technical audience)

Give the context of your work for a non-specialist. To what general field(s) does your work apply, and why is this field important? What could be achieved in these fields and what issues are holding back this progress? Remember to spell out all acronyms the first time you use them, and to explain all jargon terms that aren’t well understood outside your field.

Please write the main text in the active voice where possible, using the first person or first person plural (“we have developed…”). For instance:

Having to use ionizing radiation for body scans has many disadvantages, particularly related to the safety of both medical staff and patients. It would be ideal if we could use visible light instead: it is simple to generate, poses little risk to humans, and can captured easily using electronic cameras. Unfortunately, however, diffusion of light rays through body tissue mean that the images that emerge are unclear…

Paragraph 2: The set up (General Technical Audience)

From the issues you described in the first paragraph, now pick out the ones that directly relate to your work. How have people tried to solve this/these in the past? Why have these solutions fallen short? What is (briefly) your new solution? For example:

There have been many approaches to the development of micromechanical structures with very high aspect ratios. Most of those in two dimensions have problems of low-yield. For instance, with three-dimensional techniques, such as {techniques and problems here}. To get around these issues, we have been working on a new approach called hybrid structure formation (HSF), that attempts to incorporate the advantages of both and the disadvantages of neither.

Paragraph 3: Your approach (Audience in your discipline)

Having mentioned your approach in the last paragraph, you should now explain the basic concepts behind it and how it works. Here you can be a little more technical, but if you use words that can’t be looked up in a basic scientific dictionary, add some explanation. For example:

Neuromorphic engineering—the building of brain-like structures in silicon—was originally conceived by Carver Mead at the California Institute of Technology.6 It is based on the idea that it is more efficient to use the physics of electronic devices to implement functions directly, rather than to simulate these functions using digital algorithms. This is a particularly advantageous approach for building neural systems as the functions that transistors perform naturally are qualitatively very similar to those in biological neurons…

Paragraphs 4: What you’ve done (Audience in your discipline for paragraph 4, moving to a specialist audience for 5 and 6)

This is the most straightforward section of the article, and the one that is least likely to be a problem. Just very briefly outline what you’ve done and link to the papers where people can find out in detail what this has involved. An easy way to think about this is simply to use one sentence to describe the work that’s been published in a single paper, and to string all the papers/sentences together into a narrative. For example:

Our work has shown that, to maximize performance, AI in embodied systems must be optimized for the specific sensors and actuators of each individual body: not just as designed, but as they work in reality.1 Because sensors and actuators are not digital but analogue, this means that all machines, even built to the same specification, will be different.2 This means that the final optimization must take place through learning on the actual robot or other machine that the intelligence is to control.3 To achieve this we have developed an approach called…

Paragraph 7: Summary and further work (General audience)

Without restating from scratch and explain how the work you’ve just described has changed/progressed the problem you described at the top. Then tell us how you think you can make even further progress. For example:

To make the types of three-dimensional structures we need for next-generation batteries and other devices, the use of surfactants as templates seems promising. So far our results have shown that we can easily make structures at the right scale (5-10nm), in the right types of patterns (such as hexagonal cells), and that are solid enough to be viable in real devices. Our next step will be to show that the new materials can be fabricated in large-enough slabs to be useful in macroscopic products.

What is Project Description: How to write [with samples]

Introduction to Project Description

A project description provides a comprehensive project overview, including its phases, processes, goals, and objectives. It addresses the problem that initiated the project and outlines the planned activities, timeline, and project location.

The project description is created during the initiation phase and serves as a reference throughout the project. The project manager is responsible for writing the project description and guiding the project team using the project description throughout the project’s life cycle.

Elements of a Good Project Description

A good project description includes essential elements:

• Title: Clear and concise project title.
• Introduction: Briefly outlines project background and context.
• Objectives: Clearly defined and measurable project goals.
• Scope: Defines project boundaries, deliverables, and constraints.
• Methodology/Approach: Overview of project approach and strategies.
• Timeline: Key milestones, activities, and deadlines.
• Resources: Identification of required resources.
• Stakeholders: Key individuals involved or affected by the project.
• Risks and mitigation: Assessment of potential risks and mitigation plans.
• Evaluation and success criteria: Criteria to evaluate project success and measure outcomes.

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How to Write a Project Description: Step-by-Step Guide

You can follow these six steps to write a project description :

Step 1: Summarise – Begin with a brief outline that answers the critical questions of who, what, where, how, and why in just a few lines.

Step 2:  Define – Clearly explain the project’s purpose by highlighting the problem it solves or the specific niche it targets. This definition will set the foundation for the project’s goals.

Step 3:  Justify – Convince stakeholders of the project’s value and investment worthiness. Present a compelling case for the expected returns and demonstrate how the project aligns with its objectives.

Step 4:  Evaluate – Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis and demonstrate how the project’s gains outweigh the costs. Use metrics and measurements to support your evaluation.

Step 5:  Explain the project approach – Briefly explain your approach to achieving the project goals and objectives. Describe the project management methodology and highlight the essential resources.

Step 6:  Estimate the timeline – Forecast the project’s expected duration, outlining the estimated working hours and resource allocation for each project’s life cycle phase.

Tips for Writing a Clear and Concise Project Description

Consider these tips when creating a project description:

When describing a project, be precise about your goals and desired outcomes.

For example, if you’re working on enhancing a mobile application’s user interface at a software development company, specify the aspects you’ll investigate and the desired improvements. This level of precision ensures clarity and sets clear expectations.

Important information often includes:

• The person is responsible for each task.
• Each phase’s projected results.
• The people involved in each step.

Use Credible Sources

Project managers rely on credible sources to support their claims. Ensure that experts write your sources and have a reputable background.

Check the author’s credentials and evaluate the publisher’s reputation before including a source in your project details. This ensures the validity and credibility of the information provided.

Communicate clearly

Keep your writing clear and concise to accurately convey your message. Explain concepts in simple terms and define technical words. Focus on one idea per sentence to aid reader comprehension of complex project details.

Use visuals and diagrams

Use diagrams in your project details to visually illustrate concepts instead of relying solely on explanations.

Visuals and diagrams help stakeholders and team members comprehend your project vision. If using charts or graphs from external sources, provide proper citations. For self-created diagrams, briefly describe their purpose in your presentation.

Examples of Project Descriptions: Sample Templates and Formats

Example 1 – project description.

In this example, the project description includes the project name, overview, objectives, justification, and organisation name. It concisely summarises the project’s purpose, goals, and the organisation involved.

Example 2 – Communication Project

In this example, effective communication is crucial in project management. Different projects require various communication methods, such as verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual. A well-document communication plan is essential for a website redevelopment project for a client’s new brand.

It outlines communication activities, methods, and target audience to ensure clear and comprehensive communication. By prioritising effective communication, project objectives can be successfully achieved.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Project Descriptions

Avoiding common mistakes hindering clarity and effectiveness is essential when writing project details . By steering clear of these pitfalls, you can ensure that your project description accurately communicates the project’s purpose, scope, and goals.

Some critical mistakes to avoid are as follows:

Lack of clarity: One of the most common mistakes is being vague or using ambiguous language. Ensure your project details clearly states the objectives, deliverables, and expected outcomes. Use concise and specific language to avoid ambiguity.

Neglecting the target audience: Consider who will read the project description and tailor the language and level of detail accordingly. Avoid assuming prior knowledge and provide sufficient context and explanations to ensure understanding by all stakeholders.

Lack of structure and organisation: Ensure your project description has a clear and logical structure. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down information into sections. It makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend the content.

Ignoring stakeholder perspectives: Your project description should consider the needs and interests of different stakeholders. Take into account their views, concerns, and potential benefits. Addressing stakeholder considerations helps build trust and support for the project.

Failing to revise and proofread: Neglecting to revise and proofread your project description can result in grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Take the time to review the document carefully, ensuring it is error-free and presents a professional image.

Lack of engagement: A dry and unengaging project description can fail to captivate readers and convey the project’s significance. Use clear, persuasive language and inspires interest in the project.

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How to Tailor Your Project Description to Your Audience: Adapting to Different Stakeholders

After identifying your intended audience, developing writing strategies that align with your demographic is essential.

Create an audience profile

Developing an audience profile involves capturing key characteristics of your target readers, including their preferences, attitudes, education, and location.

This detailed image helps align your writing with catering to their interests and needs.

Develop areas for connection

Once you have created an audience profile, review it to identify areas of shared interest. You can establish a personal connection and develop a relatable tone by finding common ground with your readers. This shared understanding enhances your credibility and builds trust with your audience.

Provide value

Irrespective of your target audience, delivering value to your readers is crucial. Whether solving a problem or offering an engaging narrative, providing meaningful content keeps your audience engaged and distinguishes your work from competitors.

Reviewing and Refining Your Project Description: Importance of Feedback and Iteration

Reviewing and refining your project description through feedback and iteration is crucial in ensuring its clarity, effectiveness, and alignment with project goals.

Some of the reasons why feedback and iteration are essential in this process are stated below:

Enhanced clarity

Feedback from stakeholders, team members, or advisors can help identify areas where the project description may need to be clarified or more specific. By incorporating their input, you can refine the language, structure, and content to improve the clarity of your project description .

Clear communication is essential for ensuring everyone involved understands the project’s purpose, scope, and objectives.

Alignment with stakeholder expectations

Feedback provides an opportunity to gather insights and perspectives from different stakeholders. By incorporating their feedback, you can ensure that your project details reflect their expectations and address their concerns. It helps foster alignment and stakeholder buy-in, which is vital for project success.

Identifying omissions or inconsistencies

External feedback can help identify gaps or inconsistencies in your project description . By seeking input from others, you can discover aspects you might have overlooked or areas where additional details are needed. It ensures that your project description is comprehensive and cohesive.

Refinement of project goals and objectives

Feedback can prompt you to reconsider and refine your goals and objectives. Constructive criticism and suggestions from others can help you clarify your intentions, make adjustments, and ensure that your project description accurately represents your desired outcomes.

Increased confidence and credibility

A well-reviewed and refined project description inspires confidence in stakeholders and enhances the credibility of your project. When your project details effectively address questions, incorporate feedback, and align with stakeholder expectations, it demonstrates your commitment to thorough planning and increases trust in your project’s potential.

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A project description is a crucial document that outlines a project’s purpose, scope, and objectives. A good project description offers a clear roadmap for project implementation and helps stakeholders understand the project’s value and potential outcomes.

When writing a project description , it is important to be specific and concise and use straightforward language to convey the project details .

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A project description is a document that provides essential information about a project, including its objectives, scope, deliverables, and timeline.

A project description guides the project manager in planning and executing the project effectively and serves as a reference for communication and decision-making.

Project details provide specific information about what the project aims to achieve, what tasks must be completed, and when they should be completed.

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Writing the Project Summary and Project Description

Project summary.

The project summary is a one page document that consists of separate overview, intellectual merits, and broader impacts sections. Each of these three sections is required to be present and must be clearly defined. All NSF proposals must have project summaries.

The project summary is one of the most important parts of the proposal. It is likely the first thing a reviewer will read, and is your best chance to grab their interest, and convince them of the importance, and quality, of your research before they even read the proposal.

Though it is the first proposal element in order, many applicants prefer to write the project summary last, after writing the project description. This allows the writer to better avoid any inconsistencies between the two.

Suggested Project Summary Outline

Project Description

Applicants have considerable freedom in developing the format Project Descriptions. NSF requires that CAREER Project Descriptions contain" a well-argued and specific proposal for activities that will, over a 5-year period, build a firm foundation for a lifetime of contributions to research and education in the context of the PI's organization".

Project Descriptions must include:

A description of the proposed research project, including preliminary supporting data where appropriate, specific objectives, methods, and procedures to be used, and expected significance of the results

A description of the proposed educational activities, including plans to evaluate their impact on students and other participants

A description of how the research and education activities are integrated with one another

results of prior NSF support if applicable

Successful applicants will propose creative, effective, integrated research and education plans, and indicate how they will assess these components.

While excellence in both research and education is expected, activity of an intensity that would lead to an unreasonable workload is not. In other words, make sure that what you propose to do is reasonable given your time and resources, and make sure that the proposal convinces the reviewers of this.

Illustration by James Round

How to plan a research project

Whether for a paper or a thesis, define your question, review the work of others – and leave yourself open to discovery.

by Brooke Harrington   + BIO

is professor of sociology at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Her research has won international awards both for scholarly quality and impact on public life. She has published dozens of articles and three books, most recently the bestseller Capital without Borders (2016), now translated into five languages.

Edited by Sam Haselby

Need to know

‘When curiosity turns to serious matters, it’s called research.’ – From Aphorisms (1880-1905) by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Planning research projects is a time-honoured intellectual exercise: one that requires both creativity and sharp analytical skills. The purpose of this Guide is to make the process systematic and easy to understand. While there is a great deal of freedom and discovery involved – from the topics you choose, to the data and methods you apply – there are also some norms and constraints that obtain, no matter what your academic level or field of study. For those in high school through to doctoral students, and from art history to archaeology, research planning involves broadly similar steps, including: formulating a question, developing an argument or predictions based on previous research, then selecting the information needed to answer your question.

Some of this might sound self-evident but, as you’ll find, research requires a different way of approaching and using information than most of us are accustomed to in everyday life. That is why I include orienting yourself to knowledge-creation as an initial step in the process. This is a crucial and underappreciated phase in education, akin to making the transition from salaried employment to entrepreneurship: suddenly, you’re on your own, and that requires a new way of thinking about your work.

What follows is a distillation of what I’ve learned about this process over 27 years as a professional social scientist. It reflects the skills that my own professors imparted in the sociology doctoral programme at Harvard, as well as what I learned later on as a research supervisor for Ivy League PhD and MA students, and then as the author of award-winning scholarly books and articles. It can be adapted to the demands of both short projects (such as course term papers) and long ones, such as a thesis.

At its simplest, research planning involves the four distinct steps outlined below: orienting yourself to knowledge-creation; defining your research question; reviewing previous research on your question; and then choosing relevant data to formulate your own answers. Because the focus of this Guide is on planning a research project, as opposed to conducting a research project, this section won’t delve into the details of data-collection or analysis; those steps happen after you plan the project. In addition, the topic is vast: year-long doctoral courses are devoted to data and analysis. Instead, the fourth part of this section will outline some basic strategies you could use in planning a data-selection and analysis process appropriate to your research question.

Step 1: Orient yourself

Planning and conducting research requires you to make a transition, from thinking like a consumer of information to thinking like a producer of information. That sounds simple, but it’s actually a complex task. As a practical matter, this means putting aside the mindset of a student, which treats knowledge as something created by other people. As students, we are often passive receivers of knowledge: asked to do a specified set of readings, then graded on how well we reproduce what we’ve read.

Researchers, however, must take on an active role as knowledge producers . Doing research requires more of you than reading and absorbing what other people have written: you have to engage in a dialogue with it. That includes arguing with previous knowledge and perhaps trying to show that ideas we have accepted as given are actually wrong or incomplete. For example, rather than simply taking in the claims of an author you read, you’ll need to draw out the implications of those claims: if what the author is saying is true, what else does that suggest must be true? What predictions could you make based on the author’s claims?

In other words, rather than treating a reading as a source of truth – even if it comes from a revered source, such as Plato or Marie Curie – this orientation step asks you to treat the claims you read as provisional and subject to interrogation. That is one of the great pieces of wisdom that science and philosophy can teach us: that the biggest advances in human understanding have been made not by being correct about trivial things, but by being wrong in an interesting way . For example, Albert Einstein was wrong about quantum mechanics, but his arguments about it with his fellow physicist Niels Bohr have led to some of the biggest breakthroughs in science, even a century later.

Step 2: Define your research question

Students often give this step cursory attention, but experienced researchers know that formulating a good question is sometimes the most difficult part of the research planning process. That is because the precise language of the question frames the rest of the project. It’s therefore important to pose the question carefully, in a way that’s both possible to answer and likely to yield interesting results. Of course, you must choose a question that interests you, but that’s only the beginning of what’s likely to be an iterative process: most researchers come back to this step repeatedly, modifying their questions in light of previous research, resource limitations and other considerations.

Researchers face limits in terms of time and money. They, like everyone else, have to pose research questions that they can plausibly answer given the constraints they face. For example, it would be inadvisable to frame a project around the question ‘What are the roots of the Arab-Israeli conflict?’ if you have only a week to develop an answer and no background on that topic. That’s not to limit your imagination: you can come up with any question you’d like. But it typically does require some creativity to frame a question that you can answer well – that is, by investigating thoroughly and providing new insights – within the limits you face.

In addition to being interesting to you, and feasible within your resource constraints, the third and most important characteristic of a ‘good’ research topic is whether it allows you to create new knowledge. It might turn out that your question has already been asked and answered to your satisfaction: if so, you’ll find out in the next step of this process. On the other hand, you might come up with a research question that hasn’t been addressed previously. Before you get too excited about breaking uncharted ground, consider this: a lot of potentially researchable questions haven’t been studied for good reason ; they might have answers that are trivial or of very limited interest. This could include questions such as ‘Why does the area of a circle equal π r²?’ or ‘Did winter conditions affect Napoleon’s plans to invade Russia?’ Of course, you might be able to make the argument that a seemingly trivial question is actually vitally important, but you must be prepared to back that up with convincing evidence. The exercise in the ‘Learn More’ section below will help you think through some of these issues.

Finally, scholarly research questions must in some way lead to new and distinctive insights. For example, lots of people have studied gender roles in sports teams; what can you ask that hasn’t been asked before? Reinventing the wheel is the number-one no-no in this endeavour. That’s why the next step is so important: reviewing previous research on your topic. Depending on what you find in that step, you might need to revise your research question; iterating between your question and the existing literature is a normal process. But don’t worry: it doesn’t go on forever. In fact, the iterations taper off – and your research question stabilises – as you develop a firm grasp of the current state of knowledge on your topic.

Step 3: Review previous research

In academic research, from articles to books, it’s common to find a section called a ‘literature review’. The purpose of that section is to describe the state of the art in knowledge on the research question that a project has posed. It demonstrates that researchers have thoroughly and systematically reviewed the relevant findings of previous studies on their topic, and that they have something novel to contribute.

Your own research project should include something like this, even if it’s a high-school term paper. In the research planning process, you’ll want to list at least half a dozen bullet points stating the major findings on your topic by other people. In relation to those findings, you should be able to specify where your project could provide new and necessary insights. There are two basic rhetorical positions one can take in framing the novelty-plus-importance argument required of academic research:

• Position 1 requires you to build on or extend a set of existing ideas; that means saying something like: ‘Person A has argued that X is true about gender; this implies Y, which has not yet been tested. My project will test Y, and if I find evidence to support it, that will change the way we understand gender.’
• Position 2 is to argue that there is a gap in existing knowledge, either because previous research has reached conflicting conclusions or has failed to consider something important. For example, one could say that research on middle schoolers and gender has been limited by being conducted primarily in coeducational environments, and that findings might differ dramatically if research were conducted in more schools where the student body was all-male or all-female.

Your overall goal in this step of the process is to show that your research will be part of a larger conversation: that is, how your project flows from what’s already known, and how it advances, extends or challenges that existing body of knowledge. That will be the contribution of your project, and it constitutes the motivation for your research.

Two things are worth mentioning about your search for sources of relevant previous research. First, you needn’t look only at studies on your precise topic. For example, if you want to study gender-identity formation in schools, you shouldn’t restrict yourself to studies of schools; the empirical setting (schools) is secondary to the larger social process that interests you (how people form gender identity). That process occurs in many different settings, so cast a wide net. Second, be sure to use legitimate sources – meaning publications that have been through some sort of vetting process, whether that involves peer review (as with academic journal articles you might find via Google Scholar) or editorial review (as you’d find in well-known mass media publications, such as The Economist or The Washington Post ). What you’ll want to avoid is using unvetted sources such as personal blogs or Wikipedia. Why? Because anybody can write anything in those forums, and there is no way to know – unless you’re already an expert – if the claims you find there are accurate. Often, they’re not.

Step 4: Choose your data and methods

Whatever your research question is, eventually you’ll need to consider which data source and analytical strategy are most likely to provide the answers you’re seeking. One starting point is to consider whether your question would be best addressed by qualitative data (such as interviews, observations or historical records), quantitative data (such as surveys or census records) or some combination of both. Your ideas about data sources will, in turn, suggest options for analytical methods.

You might need to collect your own data, or you might find everything you need readily available in an existing dataset someone else has created. A great place to start is with a research librarian: university libraries always have them and, at public universities, those librarians can work with the public, including people who aren’t affiliated with the university. If you don’t happen to have a public university and its library close at hand, an ordinary public library can still be a good place to start: the librarians are often well versed in accessing data sources that might be relevant to your study, such as the census, or historical archives, or the Survey of Consumer Finances.

Because your task at this point is to plan research, rather than conduct it, the purpose of this step is not to commit you irrevocably to a course of action. Instead, your goal here is to think through a feasible approach to answering your research question. You’ll need to find out, for example, whether the data you want exist; if not, do you have a realistic chance of gathering the data yourself, or would it be better to modify your research question? In terms of analysis, would your strategy require you to apply statistical methods? If so, do you have those skills? If not, do you have time to learn them, or money to hire a research assistant to run the analysis for you?

Please be aware that qualitative methods in particular are not the casual undertaking they might appear to be. Many people make the mistake of thinking that only quantitative data and methods are scientific and systematic, while qualitative methods are just a fancy way of saying: ‘I talked to some people, read some old newspapers, and drew my own conclusions.’ Nothing could be further from the truth. In the final section of this guide, you’ll find some links to resources that will provide more insight on standards and procedures governing qualitative research, but suffice it to say: there are rules about what constitutes legitimate evidence and valid analytical procedure for qualitative data, just as there are for quantitative data.

Circle back and consider revising your initial plans

As you work through these four steps in planning your project, it’s perfectly normal to circle back and revise. Research planning is rarely a linear process. It’s also common for new and unexpected avenues to suggest themselves. As the sociologist Thorstein Veblen wrote in 1908 : ‘The outcome of any serious research can only be to make two questions grow where only one grew before.’ That’s as true of research planning as it is of a completed project. Try to enjoy the horizons that open up for you in this process, rather than becoming overwhelmed; the four steps, along with the two exercises that follow, will help you focus your plan and make it manageable.

Key points – How to plan a research project

• Planning a research project is essential no matter your academic level or field of study. There is no one ‘best’ way to design research, but there are certain guidelines that can be helpfully applied across disciplines.
• Orient yourself to knowledge-creation. Make the shift from being a consumer of information to being a producer of information.
• Define your research question. Your question frames the rest of your project, sets the scope, and determines the kinds of answers you can find.
• Review previous research on your question. Survey the existing body of relevant knowledge to ensure that your research will be part of a larger conversation.
• Choose your data and methods. For instance, will you be collecting qualitative data, via interviews, or numerical data, via surveys?
• Circle back and consider revising your initial plans. Expect your research question in particular to undergo multiple rounds of refinement as you learn more about your topic.

Good research questions tend to beget more questions. This can be frustrating for those who want to get down to business right away. Try to make room for the unexpected: this is usually how knowledge advances. Many of the most significant discoveries in human history have been made by people who were looking for something else entirely. There are ways to structure your research planning process without over-constraining yourself; the two exercises below are a start, and you can find further methods in the Links and Books section.

The following exercise provides a structured process for advancing your research project planning. After completing it, you’ll be able to do the following:

• describe clearly and concisely the question you’ve chosen to study
• summarise the state of the art in knowledge about the question, and where your project could contribute new insight
• identify the best strategy for gathering and analysing relevant data

In other words, the following provides a systematic means to establish the building blocks of your research project.

Exercise 1: Definition of research question and sources

This exercise prompts you to select and clarify your general interest area, develop a research question, and investigate sources of information. The annotated bibliography will also help you refine your research question so that you can begin the second assignment, a description of the phenomenon you wish to study.

Jot down a few bullet points in response to these two questions, with the understanding that you’ll probably go back and modify your answers as you begin reading other studies relevant to your topic:

• What will be the general topic of your paper?
• What will be the specific topic of your paper?

b) Research question(s)

Use the following guidelines to frame a research question – or questions – that will drive your analysis. As with Part 1 above, you’ll probably find it necessary to change or refine your research question(s) as you complete future assignments.

• Your question should be phrased so that it can’t be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
• Your question should have more than one plausible answer.
• Your question should draw relationships between two or more concepts; framing the question in terms of How? or What? often works better than asking Why ?

c) Annotated bibliography

Most or all of your background information should come from two sources: scholarly books and journals, or reputable mass media sources. You might be able to access journal articles electronically through your library, using search engines such as JSTOR and Google Scholar. This can save you a great deal of time compared with going to the library in person to search periodicals. General news sources, such as those accessible through LexisNexis, are acceptable, but should be cited sparingly, since they don’t carry the same level of credibility as scholarly sources. As discussed above, unvetted sources such as blogs and Wikipedia should be avoided, because the quality of the information they provide is unreliable and often misleading.

To create an annotated bibliography, provide the following information for at least 10 sources relevant to your specific topic, using the format suggested below.

Name of author(s):

Publication date:

Title of book, chapter, or article:

If a chapter or article, title of journal or book where they appear:

Brief description of this work, including main findings and methods ( c 75 words):

Summary of how this work contributes to your project ( c 75 words):

Brief description of the implications of this work ( c 25 words):

Identify any gap or controversy in knowledge this work points up, and how your project could address those problems ( c 50 words):

Exercise 2: Towards an analysis

Develop a short statement ( c 250 words) about the kind of data that would be useful to address your research question, and how you’d analyse it. Some questions to consider in writing this statement include:

• What are the central concepts or variables in your project? Offer a brief definition of each.
• Do any data sources exist on those concepts or variables, or would you need to collect data?
• Of the analytical strategies you could apply to that data, which would be the most appropriate to answer your question? Which would be the most feasible for you? Consider at least two methods, noting their advantages or disadvantages for your project.

Links & books

One of the best texts ever written about planning and executing research comes from a source that might be unexpected: a 60-year-old work on urban planning by a self-trained scholar. The classic book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) by Jane Jacobs (available complete and free of charge via this link ) is worth reading in its entirety just for the pleasure of it. But the final 20 pages – a concluding chapter titled ‘The Kind of Problem a City Is’ – are really about the process of thinking through and investigating a problem. Highly recommended as a window into the craft of research.

Jacobs’s text references an essay on advancing human knowledge by the mathematician Warren Weaver. At the time, Weaver was director of the Rockefeller Foundation, in charge of funding basic research in the natural and medical sciences. Although the essay is titled ‘A Quarter Century in the Natural Sciences’ (1960) and appears at first blush to be merely a summation of one man’s career, it turns out to be something much bigger and more interesting: a meditation on the history of human beings seeking answers to big questions about the world. Weaver goes back to the 17th century to trace the origins of systematic research thinking, with enthusiasm and vivid anecdotes that make the process come alive. The essay is worth reading in its entirety, and is available free of charge via this link .

For those seeking a more in-depth, professional-level discussion of the logic of research design, the political scientist Harvey Starr provides insight in a compact format in the article ‘Cumulation from Proper Specification: Theory, Logic, Research Design, and “Nice” Laws’ (2005). Starr reviews the ‘research triad’, consisting of the interlinked considerations of formulating a question, selecting relevant theories and applying appropriate methods. The full text of the article, published in the scholarly journal Conflict Management and Peace Science , is available, free of charge, via this link .

Finally, the book Getting What You Came For (1992) by Robert Peters is not only an outstanding guide for anyone contemplating graduate school – from the application process onward – but it also includes several excellent chapters on planning and executing research, applicable across a wide variety of subject areas. It was an invaluable resource for me 25 years ago, and it remains in print with good reason; I recommend it to all my students, particularly Chapter 16 (‘The Thesis Topic: Finding It’), Chapter 17 (‘The Thesis Proposal’) and Chapter 18 (‘The Thesis: Writing It’).

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What Is Project Description: How to Write One (With Tips)

Home Blog Project Management What Is Project Description: How to Write One (With Tips)

Many companies use templates, and it's super handy to drag and drop them into proposals for a quick fix. But here's the thing – it can make your proposal sound dull and generic. The reason? We often forget to update key details, like project descriptions, after the initial setup. So, let me ask you: What is project description and when was the last time you updated yours? It's like giving them a fresh coat of paint to keep things interesting. If it's been a while, now might be the perfect time to jazz them up. Let's make sure your proposals don't end up feeling like everyone else's – give them a little extra flair! In this post, I am going to talk about how to make our project descriptions better. Instead of just using the usual templates, I will show you ways to make them exciting and stand out. So, let's dive in and discover simple strategies to make our projects sound more exciting and unique.

What Is a Project Description?

A Project Description is a document that outlines the details of a specific project in a structured format covering all stages of the project and the processes involved in it. For those unfamiliar, a project description example can offer a clearer picture of how these documents are typically drafted. A Project Description is created quite early in the Project Life Cycle. It is a useful document that could be referred to for a quick understanding of what the project involves, what it aims to accomplish, and how it shall be accomplished.

As a Project Manager, creating this document will be one of your key responsibilities early in the project. This skill will also help you when you want to improve your  project management  credentials.

Components of a Project Description  

A comprehensive project description is crucial for effectively communicating a project's purpose, scope, and goals. Here are key components to include in a project description:  

• Project Title : Begin with a clear and engaging title that succinctly conveys the essence of the project.  
• Introduction:  Provide a brief overview of the project, including its context, significance, and relevance to the organization or stakeholders.  
• Project Objectives: Clearly state the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives of the project.  
• Scope of Work: Define the project's boundaries by specifying what is included and excluded. Clearly outline the project's scope to manage expectations.  
• Deliverables: Detail the tangible outcomes or products that the project will produce. This helps stakeholders understand what to expect.  
• Methodology or Approach: Describe the methods and strategies employed to achieve the project objectives. Include any unique approaches or innovations.  
• Timeline and Milestones: Provide a high-level timeline outlining the project's significant phases and key milestones. This helps in tracking progress and managing deadlines.  
• Budget and Resources: Specify the financial requirements, including direct costs (materials, equipment) and indirect costs (personnel, overhead). Detail the necessary resources and their allocation.  
• Stakeholders: Identify and describe the primary stakeholders involved in or affected by the project. Consider internal and external stakeholders and their roles.  
• Risk Management: Highlight potential risks and uncertainties associated with the project. Include a plan for risk mitigation and contingency measures.  
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Outline how the project's progress will be monitored and evaluated. Describe the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success.  
• Communication Plan: Detail how communication will be managed throughout the project. Identify key communication channels, frequency, and stakeholders involved.  
• Team Members and Roles: Introduce the project team members, their roles, and responsibilities. Include any external partners or consultants if applicable.  
• Approval Process: Clarify the process for obtaining approvals at various project stages. This ensures alignment with organizational protocols.  
• Conclusion: Summarize the key points and reiterate the project's importance. Conclude with any next steps or actions required.  

By including these components, a project description becomes a comprehensive document that thoroughly understands the project and facilitates effective communication with stakeholders.  

Project Description Types  

Project descriptions can take various forms, depending on the project's nature and the intended audience. Here are several types of project descriptions:  

• Abstract:    The abstract is a concise and informative project summary, typically used for informational purposes. It briefly overviews the project's objectives, methods, and expected outcomes. The abstract is often utilized in research papers, academic proposals, or project documentation to give readers a quick understanding of the project without delving into detailed specifics. It is typically a few paragraphs in length, highlighting the key aspects of the project.  
• Elevator Pitch:    The elevator pitch is a brief and persuasive description of a project that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator, usually around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This type of description is designed to captivate and engage the listener quickly. It focuses on the most compelling aspects of the project, aiming to grab the attention of potential stakeholders, investors, or decision-makers. The elevator pitch is often used to "sell" the project idea, emphasizing its value and impact.  
• Short Project Description:    The short project description  provides  a quick and summarized overview of how  the project will be implemented . It includes  vital  details such as project goals , methods, and reasons for undertaking the project. This  descr iption type   is m eant  to be e asily  digestible, offering stakeholders a snapshot of the project' s essentials. I t is  helpful  for  initial  project introduct ions, pre sentations, o r project summaries. The short pr oject descrip tion may also touch on th e  motiv ations behi nd the proje ct, helping  stakeholders understand its significance.  
• Grant Proposal:   A specific project proposal is designed to secure funding from a grant-making organization. It should follow the guidelines and format required by the grantor and clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with their funding priorities.  
• Business Plan:   A  document outlining  the operational and financial aspects of a new business or venture.  It should include your target market, competitive analysis, marketing strategy, financi al projections, and funding requirements.  
• Full Project Proposal:   A comprehensive document outlining your project in detail. It typically includes all the elements of a short description, a literature review, research methodology, detailed budget, risk assessment, and evaluation plan.  

How to Write a Project Description: Key Criteria and Steps

Let’s say you had to select an effective email service provider for your company. In that case, how would you feel if your Chief Marketing Officer thought it wasn’t as important or tried to rush the process? Pretty frustrated because he didn’t get the context or purpose of the activity. Here is where a well-written project description comes into play. 

Project management courses include detailed sessions on writing the perfect project descriptions. Even if your organization isn’t the type that documents such activities, it’s a good idea to create one for your ready reference at the very least. 

Key Criteria

The following are the criteria that you need to keep in mind while drafting your project description:  

• You  should have clarity  about the project that you’re undertaking. Everything from its purpose to its scope should be described such that your reader doesn’t have any questions once he’s done reading the document.  
• You  should describe the project  in the simplest   possible manner. However, don’t omit any important details, and never talk about other unrelated projects or events. The document should be a snapshot of the entire activity.  
• You  should include everything  worth knowing about your project in its description. Of course, it shouldn’t ramble on, but everyone who reads it should have a well-rounded idea of what you’re planning to do.   
• You should only include  relevant and updated data  in your description. Whatever you are writing should make sense to the purpose of your project.  

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Steps in Project Description

Once you’ve understood the criteria mentioned above, you must go through the following steps while writing your project description:  

As the name suggests, this section should be simple and short. You should outline the  why ,  what , and  how  of your project, while keeping it within five lines at the most.  

2. Definition  

Why did this project come about in the first place? Are there any organizational pain points that you’re trying to relive? Or are you trying to tap into potential business opportunities? Whatever they may be, these are the questions that you must answer for your reader in this section. You should talk about the project’s purpose.  

3. Justification  

In the description of your project, this is the section your top stakeholders will be looking for. You must justify the reason for the project and convince your reader that it is worth the financial investment being made. It would help if you could map it to certain performance metrics of your department. The more you can convince your stakeholders that your project is  essential  to the organization’s efforts, the better.  

4. Evaluation  

This is a tricky section in the description of your project, because you will be measuring the benefits that you hope to gain against the costs that your organization will incur. Look at it as your typical cost-benefit-analysis. Even while planning a house party, you will think of the consequences of inviting a particular friend over, won’t you?  

5. Approach

Here, you must describe the approach that you will take to meet your project’s goals and objectives. You must be mindful of whether your organization has the operational capabilities to support the approach you plan to take. There shouldn’t be a mismatch between  what you plan to do  and  where your organization is at .  

6. Timeline  

This step is crucial because here you must estimate the total time your project will require. You must draw up a plan that shows how many working hours each step of your project requires, along with the number of resources required. Ensure that you put enough thought into this, because your project timeline will help you stay on track for its duration.  

Project Description Templates

Here are the links to project description templates: 

• 1st Template
• 2nd Template

Importance of Writing a Project Description

Writing a project description is crucial for several reasons:  

• Clarity of Purpose: The purpose, goals, and objectives of the project are succinctly and clearly stated in a well-written project description. It acts as a roadmap, bringing all team members and interested parties together around a shared understanding of the project's objectives.  
• Communication: The project description serves as a medium for communication, keeping team members and stakeholders alike informed. It removes uncertainty and promotes a common understanding of the objectives.   
• Definition of Scope: A project description aids in defining the parameters and restrictions by describing the extent of the work. As a result, scope creep is avoided, and the project remains concentrated on its original goals.  
• Effective risk identification and management can be achieved by clearly defining the project's goals and possible obstacles in the project description. Teams can create plans to deal with potential problems before they become more serious because of this proactive approach.   
• Effective resource allocation, including staff, time, and money, is facilitated by a thorough project description. It offers a resource planning roadmap, assisting teams in allocating duties and responsibilities effectively.   
• Making Decisions: Well-informed decisions are derived from a thorough project description. It gives stakeholders and project managers the knowledge they need to make strategic decisions at every stage of the project's lifespan.  

When Should You Write a Project Description?  

As the fundamental document that directs the whole project lifecycle, writing a project description is essential in the early phases of project planning. It usually starts at the project's inception and explains its objectives, viability, and purpose. The project description is improved as it moves closer to the planning stage by adding specific details about the goals, deliverables, schedule, scope, and resource needs. 

Giving stakeholders access to this extensive document guarantees everyone is on the same page regarding the project's vision and helps the team work towards a unified objective. Project managers can evaluate the possible effects of decisions on project objectives by using the what is project description as a point of reference while making decisions. It also acts as a risk assessment tool, assisting in the early detection and proactive management of possible hazards. The what is project description greatly aids, all things considered, good project management, alignment, and communication.

Tips  to  Writ e  a Good Project Description   

Writing a good project description is crucial. Your audience should be able to accurately understand what it’s about.  The following are a few tips that can help you.  

• You need to be concise. You should  follow the character limit  (if any) while describing your project. You should be able to specify what you did in the various project stages without rambling on.   
• Anyone who has read your project description should be able to understand the  objective   and your role  in it. In that regard, it should be exact, well-written, and specific. Leave out unnecessary details.

Get to know more about  characteristics of project management .

What Is a Project Description in a PMP Application?

While writing the project description for your  Project Management Professional (PMP)  application, it should be as concise and to the point as possible. The project objective and outcome should both be brief, and your project deliverables should be spread across the various project stages.   

How to Write a Brief Description of a Project

While writing a project description, it’s important to keep it to the point and be as brief as possible. However, you should still make sure that it’s complete. You should include the project idea, the goals that need to be achieved, the approach that you’re planning to take, and the expected outcomes. Based on its idea and context, you may need to include accurate data as well. For guidance, consider reviewing a project description example. Here are some tips on how to write a brief description for a project:

Keep it  clear  

To keep your project description brief, you must use simple and easy-to-understand language. Your sentences should be short and free of complex words. Avoid ambiguous terms or instructions.  

Keep it crisp  

Your project description should be to the point while also describing the project fully. Ensure you talk only about your project and its aspects, while avoiding any information about other projects. Such Information will most likely make your reader miss out on important points about the actual project.  

Keep it complete      

Your project description should cover all aspects of the project. It should inform your reader about everything they need to know. It does need to be concise, but not at the cost of missing out on critical points. Your stakeholders should be able to understand the project plan and its context accurately.  

What Is a Project Description in a Project Proposal?

In a project description, your project proposal section should give your reader an overview of what you're aiming to do. The questions " What are you trying to achieve ?" and " Why are you doing this? " should be clearly answered once anyone finishes reading your project proposal.   

As mentioned earlier, the proposal should be clear and precise. It should outline the project background and justification for the same. You should convince the reader about the project's need, and outline what existing efforts have already been put in that area. End strongly by detailing the value-add your project is supposed to bring to the organization.

Project Description vs Project Proposal  

What Is a Project Description in a Thesis?

In a thesis, your project description section is something that you write with the help of your supervisor or guide. Even in a thesis, your project description should answer roughly the same questions we talked about in the last paragraph. It should precisely define the  scope  of your project. You should outline everything you need to successfully complete a project, and how you are going to go about it.  Think of it as a brief based on which you will be judged when your thesis ends.

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Project Description Checklist  

Creating a project description requires careful consideration of various elements to ensure clarity, completeness, and alignment with project goals. Here is a checklist to guide you through the process of crafting a comprehensive project description:  

Title:  

• Is the project title clear, concise, and reflective of the project's essence?  

Introduction:  

• Does the introduction provide a brief overview of the project, setting the context for readers?  
• Is the significance of the project clearly communicated?  

Objectives:  

• Are the project objectives specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART)?  
• Are both short-term and long-term objectives clearly stated?  

Scope of Work:  

• Is the project's scope well-defined, including what is included and excluded?  
• Are any limitations or constraints acknowledged?  

Deliverables:  

• Are the expected deliverables clearly outlined?  
• Do the deliverables align with the project objectives?  

Methodology or Approach:  

• Is the methodology or approach described sufficiently for stakeholders to understand the project's implementation?  
• Are any innovative or unique strategies highlighted?  

Timeline and Milestones:  

• Is the project timeline clearly presented, indicating significant phases and milestones?  
• Are key deadlines realistic and achievable?  

Budget and Resources:  

• Is the budget specified, including both direct and indirect costs?  
• Are resource requirements, including personnel, equipment, and materials, detailed?  

Stakeholders:  

• Have all primary stakeholders, both internal and external, been identified?  
• Is there clarity on the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder?  

Risk Management:  

• Have potential risks been identified, and is there a plan for risk mitigation?  
• Is there a contingency plan in place for unforeseen challenges?  

Monitoring and Evaluation:  

• Are key performance indicators (KPIs) defined for monitoring project progress?  
• Is there a clear plan for evaluating the project's success?  

Communication Plan:  

• Is there a defined communication plan outlining channels, frequency, and key messages?  
• Have communication preferences for different stakeholders been considered?  

Team Members and Roles:  

• Are project team members introduced, and are their roles and responsibilities clearly outlined?  
• Is there a plan for collaboration and coordination among team members?  

Approval Process:  

• Is the process for obtaining approvals at various stages clearly defined?  
• Are there checkpoints for stakeholder input and feedback?  

Conclusion and Next Steps:  

• Does the conclusion effectively summarize key points and reiterate the project's importance?  
• Are the next steps or actions required clearly communicated?  

By systematically reviewing these elements, you can ensure that your project description is thorough, well-structured, and effectively communicates the project's purpose and execution plan.  

H o w   a   P r o j e c t   M a n a g e r   T u r n s   a   P r o j e c t   D e s c r i p t i o n   i n t o   a   P r o j e c t   P l a n ?  

Use the tools you want  .

Transforming the approved project description into an actionable project plan is pivotal to successful project execution. Leveraging Project Manager, an online project management tool, provides real-time capabilities to ensure objectives are met within the specified schedule and budget.  

The Gantt chart, an excellent visual planning tool for project managers, may not be the most user-friendly for teams tasked with execution. Recognizing this, the Project Manager offers diverse project views, all synchronized in real-time. This flexibility empowers teams to select tools aligned with their preferences. Whether it's the detailed task lists for meticulous planning or the visual flow of a kanban board for streamlined workflows, Project Manager caters to varied work styles. This adaptability enhances collaboration, fosters efficiency, and ultimately contributes to the successful realization of project goals.  

Monitor progress and performance in realtime  

Empowering teams with the flexibility to choose their preferred working methods doesn't translate to a lack of managerial oversight. Project Manager offers a real-time dashboard feature that automatically collects data on various project metrics such as time, costs, and workload. These metrics are then presented in easily understandable graphs and charts. The best part is that this functionality is plug-and-play, requiring no intricate setup compared to lighter-weight alternatives.  

Stakeholders who are keen on staying updated on project progress may not need the high-level overview of a dashboard. To cater to their needs, the Project Manager provides customizable reports offering more significant detail. With just a few keystrokes, generate status reports, project variance reports, and more, and effortlessly share them with stakeholders. This ensures transparency, facilitates communication and keeps all relevant parties well-informed on the project's trajectory.  

Conclusion  

In conclusion, it's evident that the convenience of using templates for proposals can inadvertently lead to monotonous and uninspiring content.  Simply put, it is your project in a nutshell, and PMP certification course online helps you create these with live example projects.  The oversight of neglecting to refresh essential components, such as project descriptions, undermines the potential impact of our proposals.   

The question of when we last updated these descriptions is a critical reflection point. We've got a chance to improve things by adding creativity and a new angle to our project stories. Say goodbye to the bland, same-old templates – let's bring some life into our proposals. Spend a bit of time updating and improving our project descriptions. This isn't just about being different; it's about connecting with our audience. When we make our proposals exciting and unique, we're gearing up for success in a world where everyone's competing. So, let's break away from the dull routine, boost our proposals, and shine in a crowded field.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The introduction of a project description provides an overview of the project's objectives, its significance, and the primary issues or challenges it seeks to address. It sets the context and gives readers an idea of what to expect from the rest of the description.

The purpose of a project defines the main objective or reason the project exists, often addressing a specific problem or need. The description of the project provides a detailed overview of what the project entails, including its scope, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes or deliverables. Essentially, while the purpose answers "why" the project is being done, the description explains "what" the project is.

Project management is the practice of planning, organizing, executing, and overseeing a project to achieve specific goals within a set timeframe and budget.

Kevin D.Davis

Kevin D. Davis is a seasoned and results-driven Program/Project Management Professional with a Master's Certificate in Advanced Project Management. With expertise in leading multi-million dollar projects, strategic planning, and sales operations, Kevin excels in maximizing solutions and building business cases. He possesses a deep understanding of methodologies such as PMBOK, Lean Six Sigma, and TQM to achieve business/technology alignment. With over 100 instructional training sessions and extensive experience as a PMP Exam Prep Instructor at KnowledgeHut, Kevin has a proven track record in project management training and consulting. His expertise has helped in driving successful project outcomes and fostering organizational growth.

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Tips on Writing the Project Description

By Dr. Will Cantrell, former SURF coordinator

You may want to read through some or all of the example proposals listed below. All of them were successful SURF proposals. (And they kindly gave me permission to use their proposals as examples.)

• Chelsey Bach
• Emily Oppliger
• Virginia van Vianen
• Katie Bristol
• David Trine

You have two pages to make a compelling case that you should be funded. In that space, you have to:

• Introduce the topic. Don't assume that everyone knows why, using an example from my own research, it's important that we know which aerosol particles in the atmosphere will be effective ice nuclei.
• Introduce the specific question you will address.
• Explain how you will attempt to answer the question you have posed. You must do this in enough detail that someone who is an expert in your field can evaluate what you are proposing to do.

You should use most of the two pages to talk about what you will do. The Introduction is necessary and important, but you aren't writing a review of what's been done – you are trying to convince reviewers that you have a good idea and that you are capable of carrying it out.

Be specific. Don't just claim that you are going to investigate heterogeneous ice nucleation. What, specifically, about heterogeneous nucleation will you investigate? In one of my first proposals as a new faculty member, I put forward the following hypothesis: ". . . the efficacy of the organic films as ice nucleating agents lies in their ability to accommodate a portion of the strain which arises at the water-film interface as the ice embryo forms." That is specific and testable, though in looking back over the proposal I see that I never explicitly stated how I would detect the strain in the organic film. (I should have.)

Be even more specific. In my case, I specified what organic compounds I would use and why I chose them. I also described in some detail how I would make the measurements and how I would interpret the data. The proposals above are quite specific.

Use a figure or diagram. A picture is worth (more than) a thousand words. There is no substitute for this. As a corollary to this premise, don't use a figure unless you talk about it in the text. And provide a detailed caption. Use the caption to re-emphasize important points.

And finally, a word of caution. Your faculty mentor may provide you with material to review as you write your proposal. That may include proposals that she or he has written on a very similar topic. You may, of course, use that material as you develop your proposal, but, in the end, the proposal you submit to SURF should be your own.

A few miscellaneous points:

• Many funding agencies do not have a strict format for their proposals. You are free to call the sections what you wish. (Caveat: Read the solicitation! Some programs do have strict proposal guidelines and they will return the proposal without review in some cases if you violate it.)
• The requirements for references are not as stringent for proposals as they are for journal articles. (Caveat: Again, some funding agency may require a particular format.) If the format is not specified, you could, for instance, use numerical superscripts to save space. The only requirement is that the reviewer should be able to find the source, given the information you provide.
• Do not exceed the page limit. I will instruct reviewers not to consider anything past two pages.

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Home » Research Methodology – Types, Examples and writing Guide

Research Methodology – Types, Examples and writing Guide

Table of Contents

Research Methodology

Definition:

Research Methodology refers to the systematic and scientific approach used to conduct research, investigate problems, and gather data and information for a specific purpose. It involves the techniques and procedures used to identify, collect , analyze , and interpret data to answer research questions or solve research problems . Moreover, They are philosophical and theoretical frameworks that guide the research process.

Structure of Research Methodology

Research methodology formats can vary depending on the specific requirements of the research project, but the following is a basic example of a structure for a research methodology section:

I. Introduction

• Provide an overview of the research problem and the need for a research methodology section
• Outline the main research questions and objectives

II. Research Design

• Explain the research design chosen and why it is appropriate for the research question(s) and objectives
• Discuss any alternative research designs considered and why they were not chosen
• Describe the research setting and participants (if applicable)

III. Data Collection Methods

• Describe the methods used to collect data (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations)
• Explain how the data collection methods were chosen and why they are appropriate for the research question(s) and objectives
• Detail any procedures or instruments used for data collection

IV. Data Analysis Methods

• Describe the methods used to analyze the data (e.g., statistical analysis, content analysis )
• Explain how the data analysis methods were chosen and why they are appropriate for the research question(s) and objectives
• Detail any procedures or software used for data analysis

V. Ethical Considerations

• Discuss any ethical issues that may arise from the research and how they were addressed
• Explain how informed consent was obtained (if applicable)
• Detail any measures taken to ensure confidentiality and anonymity

VI. Limitations

• Identify any potential limitations of the research methodology and how they may impact the results and conclusions

VII. Conclusion

• Summarize the key aspects of the research methodology section
• Explain how the research methodology addresses the research question(s) and objectives

Research Methodology Types

Types of Research Methodology are as follows:

Quantitative Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data using statistical methods. This type of research is often used to study cause-and-effect relationships and to make predictions.

Qualitative Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data such as words, images, and observations. This type of research is often used to explore complex phenomena, to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, and to generate hypotheses.

Mixed-Methods Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that combines elements of both quantitative and qualitative research. This approach can be particularly useful for studies that aim to explore complex phenomena and to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a particular topic.

Case Study Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves in-depth examination of a single case or a small number of cases. Case studies are often used in psychology, sociology, and anthropology to gain a detailed understanding of a particular individual or group.

Action Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves a collaborative process between researchers and practitioners to identify and solve real-world problems. Action research is often used in education, healthcare, and social work.

Experimental Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves the manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable. Experimental research is often used to study cause-and-effect relationships and to make predictions.

Survey Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves the collection of data from a sample of individuals using questionnaires or interviews. Survey research is often used to study attitudes, opinions, and behaviors.

Grounded Theory Research Methodology

This is a research methodology that involves the development of theories based on the data collected during the research process. Grounded theory is often used in sociology and anthropology to generate theories about social phenomena.

Research Methodology Example

An Example of Research Methodology could be the following:

Research Methodology for Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Depression in Adults

Introduction:

The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of depression in adults. To achieve this objective, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach.

Research Design:

The study will follow a pre-test and post-test design with two groups: an experimental group receiving CBT and a control group receiving no intervention. The study will also include a qualitative component, in which semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants to explore their experiences of receiving CBT.

Participants:

Participants will be recruited from community mental health clinics in the local area. The sample will consist of 100 adults aged 18-65 years old who meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.

Intervention :

The experimental group will receive 12 weekly sessions of CBT, each lasting 60 minutes. The intervention will be delivered by licensed mental health professionals who have been trained in CBT. The control group will receive no intervention during the study period.

Data Collection:

Quantitative data will be collected through the use of standardized measures such as the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants from the experimental group. The interviews will be conducted at the end of the intervention period, and will explore participants’ experiences of receiving CBT.

Data Analysis:

Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVA) to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in participants’ experiences of receiving CBT.

Ethical Considerations:

This study will comply with ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects. Participants will provide informed consent before participating in the study, and their privacy and confidentiality will be protected throughout the study. Any adverse events or reactions will be reported and managed appropriately.

Data Management:

All data collected will be kept confidential and stored securely using password-protected databases. Identifying information will be removed from qualitative data transcripts to ensure participants’ anonymity.

Limitations:

One potential limitation of this study is that it only focuses on one type of psychotherapy, CBT, and may not generalize to other types of therapy or interventions. Another limitation is that the study will only include participants from community mental health clinics, which may not be representative of the general population.

Conclusion:

This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of CBT in reducing symptoms of depression in adults. By using a randomized controlled trial and a mixed-methods approach, the study will provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the relationship between CBT and depression. The results of this study will have important implications for the development of effective treatments for depression in clinical settings.

How to Write Research Methodology

Writing a research methodology involves explaining the methods and techniques you used to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. It’s an essential section of any research paper or thesis, as it helps readers understand the validity and reliability of your findings. Here are the steps to write a research methodology:

• Start by explaining your research question: Begin the methodology section by restating your research question and explaining why it’s important. This helps readers understand the purpose of your research and the rationale behind your methods.
• Describe your research design: Explain the overall approach you used to conduct research. This could be a qualitative or quantitative research design, experimental or non-experimental, case study or survey, etc. Discuss the advantages and limitations of the chosen design.
• Discuss your sample: Describe the participants or subjects you included in your study. Include details such as their demographics, sampling method, sample size, and any exclusion criteria used.
• Describe your data collection methods : Explain how you collected data from your participants. This could include surveys, interviews, observations, questionnaires, or experiments. Include details on how you obtained informed consent, how you administered the tools, and how you minimized the risk of bias.
• Explain your data analysis techniques: Describe the methods you used to analyze the data you collected. This could include statistical analysis, content analysis, thematic analysis, or discourse analysis. Explain how you dealt with missing data, outliers, and any other issues that arose during the analysis.
• Discuss the validity and reliability of your research : Explain how you ensured the validity and reliability of your study. This could include measures such as triangulation, member checking, peer review, or inter-coder reliability.
• Acknowledge any limitations of your research: Discuss any limitations of your study, including any potential threats to validity or generalizability. This helps readers understand the scope of your findings and how they might apply to other contexts.
• Provide a summary: End the methodology section by summarizing the methods and techniques you used to conduct your research. This provides a clear overview of your research methodology and helps readers understand the process you followed to arrive at your findings.

When to Write Research Methodology

Research methodology is typically written after the research proposal has been approved and before the actual research is conducted. It should be written prior to data collection and analysis, as it provides a clear roadmap for the research project.

The research methodology is an important section of any research paper or thesis, as it describes the methods and procedures that will be used to conduct the research. It should include details about the research design, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations.

The methodology should be written in a clear and concise manner, and it should be based on established research practices and standards. It is important to provide enough detail so that the reader can understand how the research was conducted and evaluate the validity of the results.

Applications of Research Methodology

Here are some of the applications of research methodology:

• To identify the research problem: Research methodology is used to identify the research problem, which is the first step in conducting any research.
• To design the research: Research methodology helps in designing the research by selecting the appropriate research method, research design, and sampling technique.
• To collect data: Research methodology provides a systematic approach to collect data from primary and secondary sources.
• To analyze data: Research methodology helps in analyzing the collected data using various statistical and non-statistical techniques.
• To test hypotheses: Research methodology provides a framework for testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions based on the analysis of data.
• To generalize findings: Research methodology helps in generalizing the findings of the research to the target population.
• To develop theories : Research methodology is used to develop new theories and modify existing theories based on the findings of the research.
• To evaluate programs and policies : Research methodology is used to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies by collecting data and analyzing it.
• To improve decision-making: Research methodology helps in making informed decisions by providing reliable and valid data.

Purpose of Research Methodology

Research methodology serves several important purposes, including:

• To guide the research process: Research methodology provides a systematic framework for conducting research. It helps researchers to plan their research, define their research questions, and select appropriate methods and techniques for collecting and analyzing data.
• To ensure research quality: Research methodology helps researchers to ensure that their research is rigorous, reliable, and valid. It provides guidelines for minimizing bias and error in data collection and analysis, and for ensuring that research findings are accurate and trustworthy.
• To replicate research: Research methodology provides a clear and detailed account of the research process, making it possible for other researchers to replicate the study and verify its findings.
• To advance knowledge: Research methodology enables researchers to generate new knowledge and to contribute to the body of knowledge in their field. It provides a means for testing hypotheses, exploring new ideas, and discovering new insights.
• To inform decision-making: Research methodology provides evidence-based information that can inform policy and decision-making in a variety of fields, including medicine, public health, education, and business.

Advantages of Research Methodology

Research methodology has several advantages that make it a valuable tool for conducting research in various fields. Here are some of the key advantages of research methodology:

• Systematic and structured approach : Research methodology provides a systematic and structured approach to conducting research, which ensures that the research is conducted in a rigorous and comprehensive manner.
• Objectivity : Research methodology aims to ensure objectivity in the research process, which means that the research findings are based on evidence and not influenced by personal bias or subjective opinions.
• Replicability : Research methodology ensures that research can be replicated by other researchers, which is essential for validating research findings and ensuring their accuracy.
• Reliability : Research methodology aims to ensure that the research findings are reliable, which means that they are consistent and can be depended upon.
• Validity : Research methodology ensures that the research findings are valid, which means that they accurately reflect the research question or hypothesis being tested.
• Efficiency : Research methodology provides a structured and efficient way of conducting research, which helps to save time and resources.
• Flexibility : Research methodology allows researchers to choose the most appropriate research methods and techniques based on the research question, data availability, and other relevant factors.
• Scope for innovation: Research methodology provides scope for innovation and creativity in designing research studies and developing new research techniques.

Research Methodology Vs Research Methods

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Sheldon Werner Summer Studentships 2024/2025

We are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of Summer Scholars at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum for the 2024/2025 summer.  Auckland Museum’s annual Summer Student Programme is open to promising students from a range of disciplines. Students will be part of a cohort with the programme running for ten weeks over the summer to gain career-relevant experience. Students will have opportunity to train with Museum professionals and will gain an insight into the culture and heritage sector.

Our Summer Studentships provide an opportunity to undertake a project tailored to your interests and aspirations.  

About the programme

• The Summer Studentship will be approximately ten weeks in length, with training running from the 18th of November until the 14th of February, with a break over the Christmas and New Year period.
• Cohort style programme, with tours and talks from staff at Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
• Stipend of $6750 will be awarded to each successful student.

Students will be required to sign an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of their scholarship. All students will be required to produce a brief research report and to create a summary of their research using a medium of their choice (this could include a blog, video, audio).  

Students must be currently enrolled in a New Zealand tertiary institution and have completed at least two years of tertiary study to be eligible to apply for the Summer Studentships.  

Please include in your application a brief CV, cover letter and your academic transcript.  You will be asked to apply for a specific project, though you can apply for more than one project. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an assessment centre, on October 9th 2024, at Auckland Museum.  

Applications for 2024/2025 Sheldon Werner Summer Studentships are now open. Project descriptions are below. To apply please follow the link to submit your application. 

If you have any questions about the Summer Student Programme, please email [email protected]   

We are grateful to the Sheldon Werner Charitable Trust, the Nancy Bamford Trust, and Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand (WANZ) for their support of our 2024-2025 summer scholarships.

Summer Studentships available in 2024/2025

Research into taonga māori collection for display .

This project focuses on the under-researched records within Auckland Museum's Taonga Māori collection in preparation for the planned renewal of the Museum's Māori Galleries. The selected summer student will work through sections of the collection, collating information, and provenance from the Human History library archive files to add to our collection records. Through this, the summer student will be able to present a well-research list of potential taonga for display in the Māori Court for consideration by the Museum's curatorial team. This project will also contribute to the Māori team's ambition of updating our Collections Online presence by beginning to enrich our database records with our paper files.

This project will best suit a student with:   

* Research skills and experience 

* Attention to detail 

* An interest in Taonga Māori collections 

* Cultural competency in Te Ao Māori

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/405  

Vibration Monitoring of Collection Objects at Auckland Museum 

The goal of this project is to establish a new method for measuring 'normal' vibrations experienced by collection objects in storage, during transport, and on exhibition. This project will be undertaken in partnership with the University of Auckland Engineering school. The selected summer scholar will review vibration testing in other GLAM contexts, identifying potential solutions for Auckland Museum. Following this research, the student will develop and build a prototype vibration monitor and use this new monitor to test the vibrations experienced by collection objects in different storage, transport and exhibition contexts. From the results of this testing, the student will provide recommendations for future developments, enhancing the Museum's ability to care for taonga and collections.

This project will best suit a student with: 

* Research and writing skills 

* Study of engineering, especially engineering vibrations

* Experience in designing and conducting experiments

* Practical build skills / with an engineering background

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/404

Lucy Cranwell's Wartime Curation in Auckland Museum's Botanical collection

This project is an investigation into the war-time curatorial methods of the past Auckland Museum Curator of Botany, Lucy M. Cranwell (in the position 1929 - 1944). In 1941, to protect Auckland Museum's botany collections from the threat of air raids, a selection of botanical specimen sheets (not the specimens themselves) were cut into two. One of each set was sent to a shelter for safe keeping until 1945, when the separated botanical sets were reunited with tapes and filed in the Museum herbarium. To date, sixty-one of these specimens have been identified, but there are many more to be uncovered. Using the herbarium's image library, this student will identify and record these reunited specimen sheets. The student will also use the Museum's document archives and interview with past curators to investigate Lucy's method of specimen curation and management. By weaving both pieces of information together, the student will not only enhance current collection records but will also produce a coherent account of Lucy's actions and their historical significance. 

* Research and writing skills   

* An interest in disentangling histories using Museum's botanical and documentary heritage collections 

* Skills in Excel and an understanding of/ability to work with collections database

* Attention to detail and ability to accurately transcribe information 

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/403  

Awareness and Discovery of Human History Archival Resources  

This project is a study of the Auckland Museum Human History library archive. Currently, this archive lacks a systematic digital listing or organisation and requires physical inspection to discover relevant material. This student will investigate and identify the current accessibility and use of this library by interviewing stakeholders and users, create a comprehensive listing of the archive, and research/develop a classification system to effectively manage ongoing use of these files. This work will improve the utility of this archive not only for Museum staff and the wider research community, but also for individuals who potentially whakapapa to the taonga the archival material relates to. 

* Knowledge of archives management systems and practices 

* A general understanding of museum practice 

* An interest in Taonga Māori research and/or Documentary Heritage

* An ability to work well independently

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/402

Analysis of dust levels and composition in Museum

This project investigates dust levels and composition throughout The Museum in both front and back of house spaces. Dust can cause deterioration of collection items, but repeated cleaning of items can be damaging. The selected student will assess display and storage spaces to determine the most likely points of dust ingress and establish a process to collect dust and determine deposition rates. After sampling, the dust will be analysed analysed during microscopy and other analytical techniques to determine composition and gauge levels of risk. Once the composition is known, dust sources can be idenitified, helping to mitigate potential damage to collection items. This project will inform procedures allowing Museum staff to routinely monitor dust levels on an ongoing basis. 

* Experience in designing and conducting experiments  

* Interest in materials analysis 

* An interest in museum collections and cultural heritage 

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/401

Reviewing the Pacific Archaeology Collection 

This research project focuses on improving access to the Pacific archaeology collection held in Auckland Museum's Archaeology Department that were excavated during the 1960s-1970s. This collection is largely uncatalogued, making it inaccessible to the increasing number of students, researchers and community groups requesting access. The selected student will work with the Museum's Archaeology team to produce a report and inventory of the collection. Using available fieldnotes, museum archives, and other material, the student will create records for any uncatalogued material and enhance existing records. This project will increase our understandings of the taonga held in these assemblages and how they came to be in the Auckland Museum. 

* A Pacific Studies or Archaeology background

* An interest in Pacific archaeology and/or collection management in museums 

* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 

* Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately transcribe information 

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/406  

Acquisition pathways of teaching skeletons in Aotearoa 

The aim of this project is to collate information and research on how and from where people in Aotearoa sourced human remains for teaching purposes between the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s. The project challenges current notions that these teaching skeletons in Aotearoa were collected ethically and were never indigenous. Guided by members of the Museum’s Māori Development Team, this student will collate archival information, collection records and conduct documentary research to investigate the acquisition of human remains expressly for educational purposes, outside of museums. This project will assist in identifying where such tūpuna now in museum collections may have come from, as we endeavour to return them home. This project will provide an opportunity for the chosen student to practice provenance research skills, engage with the history of the trade of human remains and work alongside our dedicated repatriation staff. 

* Research skills and tenacity 

* Attention to detail  

* A general understanding of museum practice/history 

* An interest in repatriation, anthropology or museum ethics 

* The ability to sensitively work with records or information relating to human remains   

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/407  

Evaluation of 'Our Voices', Public Engagement Experience 

This Summer Studentship project is the result of a partnership between Auckland Museum and the University of Auckland and will support the evaluation of a public engagement experience of the "Our Voices cohort of the Growing Up in New Zealand Study. The public engagement experience is intended to elevate the voices of the young people that have contributed to this longitudinal research project and present an opportunity for visitors to Auckland Museum to interact and reflect on the views of young people in Aotearoa and the issues that matter to them. The student will assess public engagement with this content using quantitative and qualitative measures and ensure optimal functionality of the display during the exhibition period. Assessment methods will include counting numbers of visitor viewings, recording time spent engaging with the experience and conducting a small sample of interviews to collect demographic information of those engaging with the display. The student will produce a report outlining the objectives of the programme, summarise the data collected, identify any challenges faced and provide the recommendations for future public engagement programmes. 

* Strong report writing skills 

* Research skills

* A public health, sociology or human geography background

* Confidence interacting with museum visitors

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/408

Wikipedia and the Aotearoa NZ Histories Curriculum

This project will train a cohort of four Wikipedia Interns to undertake the creation, editing and enhancement of Auckland local history and suburb pages so that Wikipedia can be used by teachers and students across Tāmaki Makaurau for the new Aotearoa NZ Histories Curriculum. The project is based on previous research the Museum has undertaken around the viability of Wikipedia as a learning resource and contributes to our Wikimedia Foundation funded project Understanding our past: using Wikipedia as a tool to support local history in Tāmaki Makaurau. Full training will be given to the successful candidates, and no prior Wikipedia editing is required.

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Alliances_Fund/Understanding_our_past:using_Wikipedia_as_a_tool_to_support_local_history_in_T%C4%81maki_Makaurau    

* Research skills, using both online and library resources 

* An interest in the history of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland  

* Ability to synthesise and summarise historical research

* Ability to distil complex information into clear, concise writing for a general audience

* An interest in public history 

* While prior Wikipedia editing would be a plus, no previous experience is required, and full training will be provided over the course of the studentship  

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/400  

Objects of War: Investigating the NZ Wars Collection

This project investigates objects and taonga held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum as part of the New Zealand Wars collection. This is the largest collection of materials relating to Aotearoa's foundational conflicts, but the collection is largely under-studied. This summer scholar will select and investigate several objects and taonga held at the museum. Research will focus on deepening our understanding of these materials and contextualising them in a range of histories using evidence based in archives, in person, and digitally. This student will follow each object or taonga from its creation to its function and agency within a cultural context, and its trajectory into the museum collection. This research will help link these taonga to their related communities and may allow them to be used in exhibitions in the future.   

* Willingness to learn

* Research skills  

* Some awareness of Te reo Māori and Te ao Māori is beneficial but not required

APPLY HERE:  https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/409  

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Methodology

• Descriptive Research | Definition, Types, Methods & Examples

Descriptive Research | Definition, Types, Methods & Examples

Published on May 15, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 22, 2023.

Descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or phenomenon. It can answer what , where , when and how   questions , but not why questions.

A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods  to investigate one or more variables . Unlike in experimental research , the researcher does not control or manipulate any of the variables, but only observes and measures them.

Table of contents

When to use a descriptive research design, descriptive research methods, other interesting articles.

Descriptive research is an appropriate choice when the research aim is to identify characteristics, frequencies, trends, and categories.

It is useful when not much is known yet about the topic or problem. Before you can research why something happens, you need to understand how, when and where it happens.

Descriptive research question examples

• How has the Amsterdam housing market changed over the past 20 years?
• Do customers of company X prefer product X or product Y?
• What are the main genetic, behavioural and morphological differences between European wildcats and domestic cats?
• What are the most popular online news sources among under-18s?
• How prevalent is disease A in population B?

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Descriptive research is usually defined as a type of quantitative research , though qualitative research can also be used for descriptive purposes. The research design should be carefully developed to ensure that the results are valid and reliable .

Survey research allows you to gather large volumes of data that can be analyzed for frequencies, averages and patterns. Common uses of surveys include:

• Describing the demographics of a country or region
• Gauging public opinion on political and social topics
• Evaluating satisfaction with a company’s products or an organization’s services

Observations

Observations allow you to gather data on behaviours and phenomena without having to rely on the honesty and accuracy of respondents. This method is often used by psychological, social and market researchers to understand how people act in real-life situations.

Observation of physical entities and phenomena is also an important part of research in the natural sciences. Before you can develop testable hypotheses , models or theories, it’s necessary to observe and systematically describe the subject under investigation.

Case studies

A case study can be used to describe the characteristics of a specific subject (such as a person, group, event or organization). Instead of gathering a large volume of data to identify patterns across time or location, case studies gather detailed data to identify the characteristics of a narrowly defined subject.

Rather than aiming to describe generalizable facts, case studies often focus on unusual or interesting cases that challenge assumptions, add complexity, or reveal something new about a research problem .

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Ecological validity

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

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• Date: 08/06/2024

Payroll Support Representative

Description

ADP is hiring a Payroll Support Representative -- Level I. The Payroll Support Representative supports Major Accounts Comprehensive Services Client users on WFN, PayX, ezLM, Portal, HRB and related applications by providing guidance and research in response to a wide variety of questions and issues presented by Client Payroll Administrators. The person in this role will use multiple tools and research resources in order to develop an accurate and comprehensive response to a wide range of inquiries regarding payroll practices and tax considerations, taking into account the differences across states and localities. Due to the nature of the Comprehensive Services business, the person in this role will also interface with multiple ADP service organizations as well as third party vendors that provide services to our Clients. To support a unified Client experience, they will also have familiarity with common HR questions and will access systems in other service organizations and other knowledge bases. This person also works closely with the Comprehensive Services Relationship Manager to address Client requests for guidance and best practices. The Payroll Support Representative will also be assigned to a specific group of Clients for the purpose of providing proactive updates and information.

• Client Facing with Assigned Non-Comp Payroll Client Base
• Works in an inbound phone support model
• Provides WFN/AutoPay Payroll Technology Support
• Supports General PR, HR & Benefit Questions
• Supports Payroll Processing Questions and Issues
• Conducts Initial Issue Troubleshooting
• Works with internal teams to resolve complex issues

At ADP we are driven by your success. We engage your unique talents and perspectives. We welcome your ideas on how to do things differently and better. In your efforts to achieve, learn and grow, we support you all the way. If success motivates you, you belong at ADP.

We strive for every interaction to be driven by our CORE values: Insightful Expertise, Integrity is Everything, Service Excellence, Inspiring Innovation, Each Person Counts, Results-Driven, & Social Responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond to questions from Clients regarding the use of the WFN, PayX, ezLM, Portal, and HRB applications. Provides application/navigation support.
• Assist Clients with Client data maintenance, setup, configuration changes in AutoPay Mainframe, WFN, ezLM, HRB and the Portal and coordinates with all functional areas (e.g. PTO, Special Calcs, Time and Attendance schedule, 401k, etc.) as needed.
• Performs new feature setup requests (e.g. Group Term Life, HSA, direct deposit calcs, special calcs, Benefit Accruals, Multi-J, split wraps, add'l locations, etc.).
• Assists and supports Clients with Payroll processing questions and issues.
• Use on-line tools and other resources to research and respond to Client inquiries requiring guidance on how to address a wide variety of payroll, pay practice and payroll tax questions and situations.
• Collaborates with internal Clients/Partners (401k, FSA, Tax, etc.) and/or third party vendors involved in providing services to identify and resolve issues and ensure that these services meet Client expectations.
• Escalates Client issues to SSS, Tech Services, Project Services, Connections Team, Carriers, Development or other 3rd parties as appropriate. Communicates status and resolution to Client.

Completes complex projects including:

1. Calculation updates, special reports, tax amendments, company setup, troubleshooting

2. PTO, OT, Double Time, etc. researches historical data for adjustments needed

3. Researches Benefit Accruals recalculates and imports corrections.

• Assists Client with tax changes for understanding, conducts research and follow-ups as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Occasional extended hours during peak seasons. May work 5 - 10 hours of OT 6 - 8 weeks of the year.

Typical Assignments:

• Typically will focus on smaller and/or less complex clients.
• Complexity may be measured by one or more of the following: # of employee, structure of client's PR Department, utilization of PR functionality, complexity of PR configuration, unique workflows, etc.
• Decisions made are based on established processes and procedures. Exceptions are referred to manager or senior team members

Contact (Internal & External):

• Internal : work with other ADP Teams for escalations, issue resolution and collaboration with other service areas and collaboration with other service areas
• External: ADP Client Contact
• Bachelors Preferred. Completion of FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification).

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of payroll processing experience. Basic knowledge of payroll tax deposit, filings, principles and wage and hour laws.

Expected to achieve a working knowledge of the following applications:

• WFN ( Portal)
• PR Module, HR Module, TA Module
• Wage Garnishments
• Tax Registration
• Total Tax Plus
• ADP Reporting
• AutoPay Mainframe
• All internal tools to support the offering

Exposure to additional offerings:

• Comp Benefits, Comp HR

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following:

• High-level payroll knowledge including payroll skills for processing Client payrolls. Accuracy and dependability important since errors or omissions can directly impact Client associate paychecks, and errors in reporting can also lead to penalty and interest payments for ADP.
• Basic knowledge of payroll tax principles and wage and hour laws.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems through effective customer interface and communication.
• Must be able to work under time constraints to ensure that deadlines are met.
• Excellent Professional Customer Service Skills.
• Strong Organizational Skills.
• Strong Process and documentation skills.
• Strong Research Skills.
• Proficient in MS Office applications, especially Word and Excel Proficiency in using PC

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at ADP: ADP is committed to an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace, and is further committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic including: race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status or disability. Hiring decisions are based upon ADP’s operating needs, and applicant merit including, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, ability, availability, cooperation, and job performance.

Ethics at ADP: ADP has a long, proud history of conducting business with the highest ethical standards and full compliance with all applicable laws. We also expect our people to uphold our values with the highest level of integrity and behave in a manner that fosters an honest and respectful workplace. Click https://jobs.adp.com/life-at-adp/ to learn more about ADP’s culture and our full set of values.

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We are a global leader in human resources technology, offering the latest AI and machine learning-enhanced payroll, tax, human resources, benefits, and much more. We believe our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive, down-to-earth culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging. Learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion on our ADPCareers YouTube channel .

Because this is the place. The place where you come to challenge yourself, share generously, take risks, and create change. Where you can grow your career with an established, respected, global leader, and feel really good about it.

Inclusion and Diversity

At ADP, we believe the best ideas thrive in an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives. That’s why we made it the cornerstone of our one-of-a-kind culture.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Whether it’s a volunteer day to work in one of the local communities, or contributing to a charity you’re passionate about, we make it easier to give back.

There is no such thing as just another day at the office. Far from it. We believe in collaboration, meaning and friendships. Making an impact, shaping the future together, and putting the “people” into “Always Designing for People.

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https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2023/09/photopolymer-additive-manufacturing-alliance-pama-2023-workshop-building

Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Alliance (PAMA) 2023 Workshop - Building a Unified Vision from Research to Regulation

Description.

RadTech and NIST are thrilled to host the second in-person photopolymer additive manufacturing workshop in Boulder, Co. from September 18-19, 2023. The event is designed to enable candid, pre-competitive conversation regarding the state of the field of vat photopolymerization through a series of panel discussions and develop updated, comprehensive roadmaps for current and future directions. Speakers from NIST include Lyle Levine, Russel Maier, Thomas Kolibaba, Callie Higgins, Jason Killgore and Dianne Poster, see the full agenda for more information.

Additional Information

NIST has a dynamic program in photopolymer additive manufacturing , including a recent Collaborating for Impact Now (COiN) proposal award including  characterizing light engine uniformity and its influence on LCD-based vat photopolymerization printing.  This 2023 workshop event is in support of this program and will also open the Photopolymer Fundamentals Conference , taking place September 19 - 22, 2023 at the same location.

The opinions expressed by guest speaker(s) at NIST events are their own. This event does not imply recommendation or endorsement of the speaker(s) or their opinions by NIST.

Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Alliance

RadTech PAMA Workshop 2023 Agenda