IDEATION Steps Divergent Thinking to come up with a creative
idea Brain Storming in groups Reading to verify that someone has
not already done this work. Be sure to check patent literature
Reading to firm up your idea Reading to develop supporting
information Assured that this is a good idea and that it is doable.
Assure that this is an idea that you have some skills to
attack
Slide 4
IDEATION In everything that you do and read, ask Is there a
better way to do this? Why is this the only way? What are the
negatives associated with this way of doing things? What are the
good things associated with this way of doing things? Why not use
technology from another arena to do this?
Slide 5
IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCE Goal: Identify an Request for Proposal
(RFP) to submit your idea to Look at mission statements for
Industry Govt agencies Foundations National International
Non-Governmental Organizations Read past RFPs Read the abstracts of
successful past proposals Talk with Project Managers about future
RFPs that might be in the works Visit Project Managers with Concept
slides and ask which proposals they would like to see
Slide 6
THE HARD WORK OF PROPOSING
Slide 7
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT A proposal answers the following questions
What is the problem?Attention/Need To set up the problem you need
to review the state of the art (literature). Know the problem
thoroughly from many points of view. What is the proposed solution?
Explain the solution.Need Explain how it will solve the
problem.Satisfaction Explain how it will lead to a better
world.Visualization What work needs to be done to verify that the
solution will work? What is the cost in time and $ to verify that
the solution will work?Action Does the solution meet regulatory
requirements and agency requirements including budgetary
requirements? End the proposal with how the solution will lead to a
better world.
Slide 8
PROPOSAL NEEDS EXCELLENT GRAPHICS Proposals are limited in the
number of pages allowed A picture is work 1,000 words. So more
information can be conveyed with a mix of words and pictures
Graphics have to be very good to convey a new idea Schematic of
process Block Diagrams showing how concepts fit together Mockup of
a new Device
Slide 9
Slide 10
WINNING PROPOSAL Yea!!
Slide 11
DO THE RESEARCH WORK Goal: A successful grant does the work
that is contracted on the schedule proposed. As delays are
encountered communicate clearly with Project Manager If better
research directions are identified get clearance for this different
work from Project Manager Interim reports on schedule Interim
spending reports on schedule
Slide 12
REPORTING OUT Goal: Have the Final Report Done on Time That
means that the work is done on time and the reporting keeps pace
with the work.
Slide 13
RESTART THE PROPOSAL PROCESS Often the previous research work
uncovers a series of new research questions Get the literature work
done and proposal ideas generated along the way Identify funding
agency along the way This becomes an endless loop Unknown