Master plan
Description:
The development of the master plan as part of the course TEN-7001: Systemic Approach and Needs Analysis was the first milestone in laying the methodological and organizational foundations for our session project. This work enabled us to establish a shared vision and clarify the roles, objectives, and methods necessary to conduct a structured needs analysis.
Constraints Related to Novelty
As students exploring the subject of needs analysis in an academic context for the first time, we faced the complexity of a field that combines pedagogy, project management, and technological innovations. The topic of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), in particular, was new to us, requiring accelerated learning of key concepts and their implications in the educational field. Discovering and understanding the ethical, legal, and pedagogical frameworks associated with GenAI posed a challenge. We had to not only quickly assimilate this information but also apply it to a real-world case, namely the context of Cégep Limoilou. This task compelled us to adopt a methodical and rigorous approach while developing our skills in documentary research and critical analysis, which were essential for establishing a solid foundation for the project.
Team Adaptation
Collaboration among the three team members, each with diverse backgrounds and expertise, required a certain level of adaptation. Since each member brought unique strengths and preferences, we had to agree on the working methods, platforms to use, and work schedule.
Subject Choice and Methodology
The chosen subject focused on teachers’ performance at the Cégep regarding discernment of practices related to GenAI. This choice addressed an institutional need while aligning with the team’s academic ambitions. The master plan followed a rigorous methodology. It outlined the objectives, project phases, timelines, and necessary resources. Particular attention was given to risk management, categorized into six types, to anticipate and mitigate potential issues.
Take aways
The development of this master plan has provided valuable lessons that go beyond the academic sphere. We learned the importance of structuring a project methodically from its earliest stages, clearly defining objectives, roles and necessary resources.
The novelty of the subject, combined with the need to collaborate effectively as a team, enabled us to develop transferable skills such as strategic planning, risk management and professional communication.
One of the key lessons was to understand that every constraint, whether related to time, resources or the complexity of the subject, can be transformed into an opportunity to innovate and improve.
Finally, this work reinforced our ability to work as a team, to draw on each other's strengths and to produce a coherent deliverable aligned with institutional expectations - a key learning for any future professional faced with multi-dimensional projects.