Proposal on How to Make a Bed
Summary
In the following document, a proposal is included to create specific instructions for properly making a bed. This proposal includes history of the problem, a procedure and methods section and a tentative schedule and budget. The procedure lists four steps which will be taken to create the instructions. A methodology section details each procedural step. The schedule provides guidelines and goals for group meetings and the budget states hourly wages paid to each group member. The completion date for the instructions is set for April 13, 2004, and the finalized results of usability testing will be available by April 21, 2004.
Introduction
Many people do not know how to make a bed correctly. The correct procedure for making a bed should be general knowledge. Bed making is important in order to keep the bedroom neat and tidy. Also, it will prove useful when attempting to maintain an image of good housekeeping and cleanliness.
Problem
There are no specific laid out instructions for making a bed; thus the group will create a detailed set of guidelines for the correct procedure. These instructions will be tested in order to determine usability and ease of use. On conducting a survey of 13 random people of college age (Fig. 1), it was found that only 23% knew how to correctly make a bed. The standard the group used for a properly made bed is the style in which a hotel bed is made up. Of this 23% who knew how to make a bed, 67 % were males.
Fig. 1
Procedure
The group will perform the following tasks for the determination of whether the set of instructions adequately addresses the problem and whether the proposed solution is sufficient. This will be done by:
1. Creating a set of instructions for correctly making a bed through the group’s own past experience and current development of the procedure.
2. Research the usefulness of the instructions by testing them on eight random people.
3. Edit the set of instructions for any problems found during usability testing.
4. Provide a complete report detailing the test results and conclusions.
Methods
Task 1.Creating a set of instructions for correctly making a bed through the group’s own past experience and current development if the procedure.
The group will convene and compose a list of steps to correctly make a bed. These steps will be analyzed and tested within the group until we create a usable set of instructions that solves the problem. The research will based on what is already known about bed making, samples of instructions from online resources, and findings through trial and error in testing of proposed instructions.
Task 2. Research the usefulness of our instructions through usability testing on eight randomly selected people.
A complete set of instructions will be made and given to eight people in order to test our procedure. Each person will go through these instructions step-by-step and attempt to successfully make a bed with a set of sheets, pillows and cases, and an unmade mattress. The group will observe the usability testing and note problematic areas.
Task 3. Edit the set of instructions for any problems found during usability testing.
From these observations and noted problem areas the group will edit the instructions accordingly in order to improve the procedure.
Task 4. Provide a complete report detailing the test results and conclusions.
After completing the testing and changing the directions accordingly, a final set of guidelines will be created which will properly instruct users to make a bed. Detailed steps and pictures or illustrations will be included to aid the users. Also, the final set of instructions will include all possible problems that can be encountered when making a bed, including improper use of materials.
Schedule and Budget
The table below shows the tentative work schedule for the group. Times and dates are subject to change.
DATE / Meeting Type / Length (in hours)3/30 / Instruction work / 1
4/1 / Instruction work / 1
4/6 / Instruction work / 1
4/8 / Instruction work / 1
4/12 / Finalize instructions / 1
4/15 / Usability Testing / 3
4/20 / Finalize Results / 2
The following table shows the proposed budget for the group:
Group Member / Wage per hour / Total Hours* / Total WageSheila Austin / $15 / 12 / $180
Mariah Jensen / $15 / 12 / $180
Brittany Rayzor / $15 / 12 / $180
Jorel Vaccaro / $15 / 12 / $180
Total Group Wage / $720
*Two extra hours are included in each total in case of emergency meetings or if meetings run longer than projected.
Materials and Equipment
A full size bed and two pillows will be provided by the research company to conduct the testing. Also needed are full size bed sheets, which include a flat sheet and a fitted sheet, two pillow cases, a comforter, and a mattress pad. These materials will cost a total of $100.
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