TCO 341
Feasibility Reports
http://faculty.mercer.edu/codone_s/tco341/feasibility.htm
Select a topic about some cutting-edge technology in your major field with which you can write a report recommending a certain solution. You will conduct library research and generate the assignments listed below. Since you will work with the topic for awhile, select one in your own major or field that really interests you.
These assignments are structured to reflect the way businesses use information to make decisions. Your role will be that of a young engineer (or businessman/woman, technical communicator, or other technical professional) within a specific corporate setting. If you have had work experience, try to use that setting; if not, you will need to research a company enough to picture yourself within it.
Here are the assignments in the sequence:
1. Proposal Memo
2. Annotated Bibliography
3. Feasibility Report
4. Oral Report: Briefing for a Staff Meeting with PowerPoint
Detailed assignment information follows.
Assignment Schedule
Tuesday, September 27 – Introduction to the Feasibility Report Assignment
Thursday September 29 — Turn in your feasibility report proposal memo (you can change your mind later)
Tuesday, October 4 – turn in purpose statement and annotated bibliography of five references
Tuesday October 11 — turn in your Feasibility Report for peer review and conduct first oral presentations
Tuesday October 18 —final report due and conduct remainder of oral presentations
Feasibility Report Proposal Memo
For this portion of the assignment, prepare a one-page memo proposing your feasibility report topic and include a rationale explaining the importance of your topic. See the following memo as an example.
Feasibility Report Proposal Memo
To: Dr. Susan Codone
From: A student
Date: July 11, 2011
Re: Proposal to write a feasibility report to replace showerheads in the dormitory and apartment buildings
I propose to write a feasibility report for the need to replace the remaining forty percent of inefficient showerheads in the dormitory and apartment buildings at Mercer University. As you may know, sixty percent of the showerheads were replaced by low-flow showerheads within the last seventeen years. This topic is important because low-flow showerheads will reduce the water costs for Mercer University, especially in the residence halls.
My study will contain background information on the need to change the showerheads, four options to consider, criteria for evaluation, and a comprehensive evaluation and recommendation.
Proposed Solutions/Alternatives
Replace the current showerheads with low-flow showerheads that are:
- Fixed with single-setting design
- Fixed with multiple-setting design
- Handheld design
- Fixed Rainfall design
Report Audience
I will address the report to you. However, I will target the report to the administration of Mercer University’s physical plant.
Annotated Bibliography
Annotated Bibliographies are lists of reference materials you have examined, with a paragraph or two containing brief descriptions of the contents following the bibliographic entry.
· Use the APA style (look in Markel) for your entries.
· Prepare your list on a sheet with your name and the topic at the top; arrange list of sources in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
· Of your 5 sources, at least one must be from a peer-reviewed journal.
· For more information on APA style, consult this resource:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Here are two sample annotation with correct APA style citations:
United States. Department Of Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Department Of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (2002).Domestic water conservation technologies(68216877). Washington, DC: Retrieved from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/22799.pdf
This online article provides information about energy efficient technologies and appliances. It provides information on many appliances that conserve water. The article talks about the specifics of the new washers and how they conserve water. On top of talking about newer washers the article discusses the problems with older washers and their mechanics. It mentions that the washers are more expensive when they are manufactured but talks about the cost effectiveness, which makes them competitive. The goes on to mention the average cost of water and energy and states that replacing the washer is one of the most effective ways to save water in the home. The mechanics of the washing machines will be used in my feasibility report to compare and contrast the suggested models to one another, as well as, the current models being used.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, ACEEE. (2010, June).Laundry. Retrieved from http://www.aceee.org/consumer/laundry
This is a consumer based webpage that serves as a set of guidelines to buying energy efficient washers and dryers. The page talks about the types of washers like front-loading v. top-loading washers, as well as, water level controls, and spin cycle speeds. It mentions that dryers are not regulated by the government however, the newer models that can sense load size and dryness are better at conserving energy. The page also provides a few energy saving tips, and a link to related topics including appliance labeling and standards. This article provides me with additional information for what models to choose to compare and why they should be chosen. It will help me create my tables and evaluations of the models I do choose.
The Feasibility Report
Many situations arise in your professional life that will cause you to prepare a feasibility report. Learning to identify a problem, to establish options and criteria for solving the problem, and to formulate conclusions and recommendations will prove to be vital skills for your professional career. If you are an engineering student, you may also have to write a feasibility report section in your Senior Design paper.
Using the topic you selected for your library search, develop this scenario: you are working for an engineering company as a young engineer. Your boss asks you to evaluate a problem the company is having and to write a feasibility report on the best approach to solving the problem. The report will be distributed internally, so a memo format is appropriate.
Read: Markel Chapter 19, particularly the feasibility report guidelines, and chapter 21 on oral presentations.
Report Format: Use a memo format. In general, a short report such as this will have the following arrangement:
Introduction (including the Communication Purpose Statement (in A, but B format)
Recommendations and Conclusions
Discussion/Information/Details
Brief ending paragraph
Enclosures or attachments, if any
Look at the example report as a guide.
Maximum length: 4-5 pages including title page; body should be single spaced, double spaced between paragraphs; pictures/images are acceptable
Oral Report
For this part of the assignment, prepare and deliver a PowerPoint presentation representing your feasibility report. You should prepare 7-10 slides that represent each section of your report. Use images that relate to your topic to supplement slide text.
1 TCO 341_55: 09/22/11