Gantt Chart Progress

This is the team's progress illustrated in a Gantt Chart upto this point in the unit. Once we have had a response to the email from the university (see previous post); we will begin to conduct our primary research which will be then added to this chart. 

Discussed with unit leader Bex Lewis; proposed plan of action - agreed to email Dawn Mellody suggesting to creatively market changes to the app based on what may be successful - agreed to CC unit leaders into the email.

Despite the uncertainty around the continuation of the brief; it is worth considering what data collection methods we can use regardless; should we continue the preparation for this research will already be complete.

PRIMARY RESEARCH 

In regards to primary research; quantitative questionnaires and observations of current usage of the StudyBundles app to establish what penetration it currently has in it's target market would be beneficial to our brief;

*This will establish trends in the existing consumer base which can inform our decision on creative marketing to engage Manchester based students of a similar demographic
*Allows us to possess presentable evidence to inform our choices when enacting the brief
*This would be most effective for primary research

SECONDARY RESEARCH 

Secondary research methods such as individual interviews and case studies conducted with the established users of the Studybundles app and indeed the prospective customers through qualitative methods;

*Allows us to gauge the response to the app from current users; what similarities/differences doe these views have to those of prospective customers
*Best used as a secondary research method

MMU ethics checklist has been signed off; meaning we can begin primary research as soon as we have an update from the unit leader on the status of the brief itself. 

Although the response was delayed; this revelation about the university's intentions is a serious setback to the brief with the client; which has in turn delayed the data collection phase of the unit. We have emailed Daniel Hinckley to no response. We are currently awaiting an update from unit leader Bex Lewis on the best course of action from this point.

Attendance has unfortunately dropped off over the past fortnight; I feel personally that the workload for other subjects has taken precedence. This issue; and how to improve upon it will be address within the formative PDR assessment. Forward planning, delegation of group tasks and improving self motivation could all be viable solutions.

After emailing the relevant staff of the University that the client had spoke to previously regarding the CampusConnect app and not receiving a response we have emailed the client to request another meeting. The aim of the next meeting will be to discuss competitor research we have conducted and to contact the university staff via the client to attempt to secure a meeting.

Also competed ethics checklist and other ethical documents to ensure our market research falls within MMU's ethical code. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms

This particular TED talk from Sir Ken Robinson applies well to the client brief in my opinion; it highlights how the changes in the socio-economic structure in the last 50 years has changed young peoples' outlook on higher education; how it is no longer considered that a degree 'guarantees' a graduate job and how diminishing influence of the arts in higher education is putting prospective students off higher education altogether.

We as a group can use this information to our advantage as the app itself can use experiences from 'recent' graduates and current students to re-engage with universities and the experiences that they offer. From my personal perspective - I feel that my current degree has less worth that it would in the past; acknowledging this in regards to appealing to perspective students and highlighting that university is not simply a character buiolding experience from an academic perspective but also from a wider perspective; for example we could highlight relevant societies and extra curricular opportunities at their chosen university and add the social potential of the CampusConnect app in order to encourage conversation between current and prospective students.

These suggestions will be presented to the client at our next meeting next Tuesday.

Met with Daniel Hinckley, one of the directors of StudyBundles. Talked about current penetration in markets, main obstacles faced in penetration into the target market segment in Manchester (namely MMU/UOM); discussed how previous meetings with marketing staff had been met with scepticism due to MMU producing an app which ultimately failed. We have decided the best plan of action for the coming weeks is to contact those who the company had spoke with and establish why the MMU app failed, distinguish what differences the StudyBundles app offers that ensures it will perform better, and conduct research into competitors such as Hobson and Gecko Labs.

The next meeting with Daniel will be scheduled within the fortnight to discuss progress made on the research and review information in order to ensure the best performance of the product.

Team met to establish delegation of tasks for the unit; discussed a face to face meeting with the client to establish what the client's needs are in regards to their development as a brand, also completed PDP to establish what we as students want to achieve as the unit progresses. Delegated tasks for the coming weeks.

We have now been able to establish the project for which we will be working for. Studybundles; based on Chester Street in Manchester are seeking to expand their client base for a higher education prospectus 'app'; aiming to simplify the process of researching HE institutions for prospective students. We have agreed the initial stage of this is to research existing competitors and the impact the Studybundles app has had on the market up to this point. Further market research will then be conducted into the opinions of existing students both UK and international to establish consumer thoughts on the potential benefits and drawbacks of the product in order for us to recommend improvements for the brand to increase their client base.

Appropriate preparations for this week's workshop involve clarification of the process of assignment of projects for non-pitched groups. This is due to the issues arising from non-attendance of previous workshops and as a result has affected the group's ability to delegate tasks at this stage. Consultation with Mark has allowed us to clarify that some of the projects 'do not compete with assigned groups' and as such we shall wait until this is confirmed. As a result; the legitimacy of the group as it stands at this point in time is not guaranteed. However; I (Peter) will be making contingency preparations for any outcome based on the advice given by both Mark and the unit leader Bex Lewis.