Project Definition Template
Basic Information
Project Title: [Create a specific, descriptive name for your project]
Creator: [Your name]
Date Started: [Start date]
Target Completion Date: [Planned completion date]
Purpose and Vision
Purpose Statement: [Write 1-3 sentences explaining what this project is for and why it matters]
Vision: [Describe what you imagine the finished project will be like]
Success Criteria: - [List specific, measurable criteria that will define success] - [Include both functional and aesthetic criteria] - [Be specific enough that you’ll know when they’re met]
Audience/User
Primary Audience: [Who is this project primarily for?]
User Needs: - [List specific needs or problems this project addresses] - [Consider both practical and emotional needs]
Context of Use: [Describe where, when, and how the project will be used]
Constraints and Parameters
Time Constraints: [Available working time and deadline considerations]
Material Constraints: [Available materials, budget limitations]
Skill Constraints: [Current skill level, learning curve considerations]
Space/Environmental Constraints: [Workspace limitations, environmental factors]
External Requirements: [Any specifications or requirements from others]
Project Scope
Included in Scope: - [List what is definitely included in this project] - [Be specific about features, functions, or elements]
Excluded from Scope: - [List what is explicitly not included] - [Helps prevent scope creep]
Scale and Dimensions: [Physical size or digital scope of the project]
Resources
Materials Needed: - [List all materials with quantities] - [Note what you have and what you need to acquire]
Tools Required: - [List all tools needed] - [Note any tools you need to borrow or purchase]
Skills Required: - [List skills needed for this project] - [Note any skills you need to develop]
Information/Research Needed: - [List what you need to learn or research] - [Include reference materials or sources]
Support/Assistance Needed: - [List any help you’ll need from others] - [Include specific expertise or assistance]
Process Plan
Major Phases: 1. [List main project phases in sequence] 2. [Example: Research, Design, Prototyping, Creation, Refinement]
Key Decision Points: - [Note points where significant decisions will be made] - [Include what options you’ll be deciding between]
Milestones: - [List specific progress points to check against timeline] - [Include dates if possible]
Risk Assessment
Potential Challenges: - [List foreseeable difficulties or obstacles] - [Be honest about challenging aspects]
Contingency Plans: - [For each major challenge, note a backup approach] - [Include how you might scale back if necessary]
Learning Opportunities: - [Note specific skills or knowledge you hope to develop] - [Frame challenges as opportunities for growth]
Documentation Plan
Process Documentation: - [How you’ll document your making process] - [Tools or methods for documentation]
Final Documentation: - [How you’ll document the completed project] - [Format and content of documentation]
Reflection
Personal Motivation: [Why this project matters to you personally]
Connection to Larger Goals: [How this project connects to your broader creative development]
Success Indicators Beyond Completion: [What you hope to learn or achieve beyond the finished product]