Solution Brief and Project Plan
Need a template?
Use the Solution Brief Template for the written brief.
Your Solution Brief
Once your idea is approved, prepare a brief that explains the direction of your SAT across Unit 3 Outcome 2 and Unit 4 Outcome 1.
Your brief should include:
- an explanation of the problem, need or opportunity
- how your proposed software solution will address the situation
- a brief description of the intended users or clients
- the programming language or languages you plan to use
- a brief description of how your solution will use relevant programming language features from the software tools and functions and outcome-specific requirements document
If you want to use a different programming language from the one used in Unit 3 Outcome 1, make sure you can demonstrate that you are proficient in it before moving ahead.
Your Project Plan (Gantt Chart)
Your project plan needs to show:
- tasks
- sequencing
- time allocation
- dependencies
- milestones
- the critical path
Your Gantt chart needs to cover all stages and activities across:
- Unit 3 Outcome 2
- Unit 4 Outcome 1
Once it is created, you keep using it for the whole SAT. Monitor it, update it and annotate it as the project changes.
Tool requirement for project planning
The study-design requirements state that students must use an appropriate tool for documenting and modifying project plans in Unit 3 Area of Study 2 and continue using that tool in Unit 4 Area of Study 1.
This means:
- your plan must be editable and regularly updated
- your milestones and dependencies should stay visible as the project changes
- you do not need dedicated project-management software as long as your chosen tool handles the job clearly
Suitable options can include a spreadsheet, a digital Gantt-chart tool or another project-planning tool approved by your teacher.
Sample Gantt Chart
Sample project plan from the document. It shows Analysis, Design, Development and Evaluation across 16 weeks, with milestones and dependencies between each stage.