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.