Capstone Project Documentation Template
Project Overview
Project Title: [Name of your creative problem-solving project]
Project Owner: [Your name]
Date: [Completion date]
Problem Domain: [Field or area the problem belongs to]
Executive Summary: [Brief overview of the problem addressed, approach taken, and key outcomes]
Phase 1: Problem Analysis
Problem Statement
Initial Problem Definition: [How you initially understood the problem]
Refined Problem Statement: [Your final, precise definition after analysis]
Problem Impact: [Who is affected and how]
Problem History: [Previous attempts to solve this problem]
First Principles Analysis
Fundamental Elements Identified: [Basic components of the problem]
Key Assumptions Challenged: [Assumptions you questioned and what you discovered]
First Principles Insights: [What you learned from breaking down the problem]
Inversion Analysis
Failure Modes Identified: [Ways this problem could become worse]
Pre-Mortem Results: [What you discovered by imagining failure]
“Not To-Do” List: [Approaches you determined to avoid]
Systems Thinking Analysis
System Elements Map: [Key components in the system]
Feedback Loops Identified: [Self-reinforcing or self-balancing cycles]
Leverage Points: [Where small changes might have big effects]
Stakeholder Analysis
Key Stakeholders: [Who is involved or affected]
Stakeholder Needs and Concerns: [What matters to each stakeholder]
Conflicting Interests: [Where stakeholder needs diverge]
Lateral Thinking Exploration
Techniques Applied: [Which lateral thinking methods you used]
Key Provocations: [Challenging statements that sparked new thinking]
Novel Connections: [Unexpected links that provided insights]
Root Cause Analysis
Five Whys Results: [What you discovered by repeatedly asking why]
Underlying Causes Identified: [The deeper issues behind surface symptoms]
Problem Reframing
Alternative Problem Frames: [Different ways you looked at the problem]
Selected Frame: [Which perspective proved most productive]
Rationale for Selection: [Why this framing was chosen]
Success Criteria
Defined Metrics: [How you’ll measure success]
Minimum Success Requirements: [What must be achieved at minimum]
Optimal Success Scenario: [What would constitute exceptional success]
Phase 2: Solution Development
Ideation Process
Techniques Applied: [Which ideation methods you used]
Quantity of Ideas Generated: [How many initial ideas emerged]
Idea Clustering Results: [How ideas were organized into themes]
Concept Development
Top Solution Concepts: [The most promising approaches identified]
Concept 1: [Name] - Key Features: - Potential Benefits: - Potential Challenges:
Concept 2: [Name] - Key Features: - Potential Benefits: - Potential Challenges:
Concept 3: [Name] - Key Features: - Potential Benefits: - Potential Challenges:
Solution Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria: [Factors used to assess solutions]
Decision Matrix Results: [How solutions scored against criteria]
Selected Solution: [Which approach was chosen]
Rationale for Selection: [Why this solution was selected]
Solution Refinement
Feedback Incorporated: [Input that shaped the solution]
Iterations Performed: [How the solution evolved]
Final Solution Description: [Detailed explanation of your solution]
Phase 3: Implementation Planning
Action Mapping
Key Implementation Steps: [Major actions required]
Timeline: [When each step would occur]
Resource Requirements: [What’s needed to implement]
Risk Mitigation
Identified Risks: [What could go wrong]
Mitigation Strategies: [How to prevent problems]
Contingency Plans: [What to do if risks materialize]
Feedback Mechanisms
Planned Feedback Loops: [How you’ll gather implementation feedback]
Adaptation Triggers: [What would prompt changes to the plan]
Reflection and Learning
Process Evaluation
Most Valuable Techniques: [Which problem-solving methods were most helpful]
Challenges Encountered: [Difficulties faced during the process]
Process Improvements for Next Time: [How you would approach differently in future]
Key Insights
Most Significant Discoveries: [Important realizations from this project]
Perspective Shifts: [How your thinking changed]
Transferable Lessons: [What you learned that applies elsewhere]
Skill Development
Skills Strengthened: [Problem-solving abilities you improved]
Areas for Further Development: [Skills you want to continue building]
Appendices
Reference Materials
Sources Consulted: [References that informed your work]
Relevant Research: [Studies or data that supported your process]
Supporting Documentation
Workshop Notes: [Records from collaborative sessions]
Visualization Artifacts: [Mind maps, sketches, or other visual tools used]
Prototype Documentation: [If applicable, records of prototypes created]
This capstone project documentation demonstrates your integrated application of creative problem-solving techniques from this course. The documentation should tell the complete story of your problem-solving journey, from initial problem understanding through solution development and implementation planning.