|
Project Management Report
due in two weeks
Our client is interested in peoples' perceptions of public housing and specifically in perceptions of the New Boston Housing Authority (NBHA). As we've already discussed, we know that we can get insights through an exploratory focus group study. In proposing an initial exploratory focus group study, let's assume initial fees of $400 per day for IDI/focus group facility rental (a room on our campus to include the cost of a security person) and $15 per qualified respondent for recruiting fees. We could perhaps offer services involving a Ph.D. professor at billable rates of $500 per day or $100 per hour, trained student interns at billable rates of $20 to $30 per hour, and general university staff support at billable rates of $25 per hour. Note that even when providing not-for-profit, grant-subsidized services through the university, we would still want to build in a twenty percent margin to cover unexpected events and overhead to ensure that a project does not go below break-even. If our client was willing to pay a reasonable fee for the conduct of a focus group study, what would we promise with regard to deliverables, what would be the timeline that we would provide, and what would be a reasonable fee for our services? Below is a proposal that could be sent to our client.
Although you are only submitting two sections of the proposal, note that your proposed timeline and budget is for the entire project from start to finish. Note that this is an individual assignment.
Dear Mr. Davis, As a followup to our telephone conversation, here is a proposal to help find answers to the kinds of questions that you had. Our understanding is that you suspect that many people associate "public housing" with gangs, thugs, guns, drugs, crime, and such. You are concerned that this will affect the quantity and quality of people who are interested in applying to live in the Dogwood Plaza apartments. Objectives The present study would be an initial exploration into peoples' perceptions of government housing authorities, their perceptions of apartments owned by a housing authority, and their perceptions of the New Boston Housing Authority and of the Dogwood Plaza apartments. We are especially interested in reasons that they might have for wanting or not wanting to live in an apartment at Dogwood Plaza. Methodology Our proposal is to randomly call Texarkana area residents, limiting respondents to a quota sample of heads of households that includes people who live in New Boston, DeKalb, and nearby areas such as Texarkana. We would like a sample of at least 48 people from the targeted geographic area (including at least 16 from the New Boston area, 16 from the DeKalb area, and 16 from surrounding areas such as Texarkana. This would require six focus group sessions of eight people. To help ensure this number of shows for each session, we would over-recruit for nine participants; our total number of participants could therefore be as high as 56. Focus Group Topic Areas Recommended discussion flow is as follows:
Costs and Deliverables We will provide you with a topline report summarizing the results of and conclusions from these sessions. We will also provide you with a presentation of results and conclusions on our campus during our last class meeting. --COMPLETE THIS SECTION-- Project Timeline --COMPLETE THIS SECTION--
Mr. Davis, please let me know if you need any additional information. If you believe that anything in our proposal should be changed, let me know as soon as possible. Thanks for this opportunity for our students to work with you. Sincerely, [be sure to put all information that goes here]
|