HOW TO EFFECTIVELY SCOPE A UTDESIGN CAPSTONE PROJECT

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY SCOPE A UTDESIGN CAPSTONE PROJECT

UTDesign Capstone projects provide senior engineering and computer science students from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science with a meaningful experience on their Capstone project by partnering with industry sponsors to create solutions to real-world engineering and computer science problems. Students not only work on a real company project, but also gain valuable experience in an environment similar to that of their industry mentor(s).

The UTDesign Capstone program allows students to fully engage in the design, build and test solution development process and use their project management and problem-solving skills while working on new prototypes, manufacturing automation solutions, computer programs or complete testing systems for companies, or a faculty member’s research. The students learn technical skills and gain valuable experience that sometimes leads to internships and jobs.

The UTDesign Capstone team will collaborate with your company to effectively scope a Capstone Project.  Here’s what you need to know:

• Companies are encouraged to develop project goals based on the skill level and amount of effort that students are able to contribute. They should identify Minimum Viable Product (MVP) deliverables, as well as two or three stretch goals, with an open-ended problem statement for which the solution is not obvious.
• After a company submits its project proposal, It is also important to discuss the proposed project tasks with the UTDesign Capstone Faculty Director in charge of that engineering department’s UTDesign Capstone projects. They have many years of experience with student Capstone projects and can “right scope” your project within the capabilities of the students to help ensure team success.
• The scope should be similar to what you would expect one full-time intern to accomplish during the duration of the proposed project. Consider what one full-time student who just completed their junior year could accomplish in two semesters (one semester if a computer science project) as a “rule of thumb.”

Want to learn more about how UTDesign Capstone can benefit your organization? See our cool video on how UTDesign Capstone can help your company:  www.bit.ly/UTDesignvideo

Additional information on the UTDesign Capstone program can be found on our website at https://utdesign.utdallas.edu.