Project Background

The design projects have been developed to draw upon the interests and experiences of the enrolled students. The composite of the class is exceptionally diverse and includes those with backgrounds in engineering, clinical medicine, health policy, business, education, and government. Thus we have provided several "tracks" for the group design projects to provide a choice for each groups needs, wants, and general interests. Please select two of the four tracks to complete.

Students' proposed solutions will draw upon their understanding of tools and principles acquired during the course and will be presented as an application design on the final day of the course. Opportunities to interact with corporate sponsors will enhance the emphasis on practical solutions to real world problems. Sponsored driven projects in past years have included those from Pfizer Health Solutions, Merck, Johnson and Johnson, Mass General, and Warner Lambert.

Common Elements of Projects

1. Objective of the group project
2. Proposed product or service solution
3. Industry summary
4. Analysis
   • Problems with current solutions
   • Competitive analysis
   • Porter model
   • Evaluation of macro-industry forces
   • Micro-stakeholder analysis
5. Interaction diagrams
6. Reflection on cost, quality, and access

Tracks

Each team chooses two out of four tracks to address through the project

• Track 1: Marketing plan
• Track 2: Business plan
• Track 3: Product design plan
• Track 4: Clinical trial/product evaluation

Track 1: Market Plan

1. Market background
2. Future directions of market
3. Market size/forecast
4. Customers/customer Segmentation
5. Target market segments
6. Product description
7. Pricing
8. Promotion
9. Sales and distribution strategy

Track 2: Business Plan

1. Partnering
2. Staffing plans
3. Advisory board
4. Risk management (analysis of specific risks and address various scenarios)
5. Financial projections and resources required
6. Near term milestones and expenses
7. Long term projections

Track 3: Product Design

The Product

1. Product definition and goals
2. Product requirements/specifications
3. Expected product lifecycle
4. Product add-ons, third party tool sets
5. Follow-on products
6. User profile (differentiate from buyer)

Job Description

1. User skills, knowledge and education
2. Work style
3. Concerns
4. Wants
5. Requirements
6. Work environment
7. Recommended readings

Track 4: Clinical Trial/Product Evaluation

1. Rationale
2. Objectives
3. Study design
4. Participants
5. Intervention
6. Primary and secondary endpoints
7. Sample size (optional)
8. Anticipate time frame for study completion
9. Data collection; sub-protocols, intervals, encounters, events
10. Analysis

Oral Presentation

The oral presentation and the written final report will be reviewed by the course director, co-directors, tutors/supervisors, and lecturers. These group-based assessments will be combined with an individual assessment to determine the final grade.

Presentation Outline

Final Paper

The final report should be 15 pages in length, not including exhibits and appendices.

Grading Summary

2007 Projects