Eagle Project

Project Planning WorkshopTroop 575

Version 1.2, December 5, 2005

Why Do You Need This Training?

Your Eagle project may be the biggest thing you have ever taken on by yourself.

Results of past projects have been mixed. The quality of your project is greatly

dependent on how well it is planned. Scouts can become overwhelmed by their

project, or not know how to start. The Eagle Project should be as much fun as

it is a learning experience.

Project Planning

Introduction Selecting your project Planning the project Earning initial approval Detailed project plan Presenting to Troop Committee / Council Working the project Lessons learned

Purpose of Eagle Project

For the good of the community… For you to demonstrate the leadership skills

consistent with an Eagle Scout. Planning a complex project… as leaders, you will

need to plan activities for others long after you earn your Eagle.

Learn by doing… What is expected? Perfection is not the point…

doing your very best is.

Selecting Your Project

Typically provides a service to an organization other than Scouting.

Must be SMART: Simple: must be complex enough, but not too

difficult… Manageable: you should be able to plan, manage and

complete your project with minimum adult assistance. Attainable: with a good plan, it should be within your

abilities to successfully complete your project. Reasonable: not too complex… or too simple. Tangible: you should be able to clearly state what

your project is, who will benefit, what resources will be required, how much it will cost, and how much time it will take (among other things).

Checklist

Intended to compliment your Eagle Project Workbook, not replace it.

Helps provide some consistency in how Eagle Projects are managed, but leaves you enough room to be creative.

Checklist refers to several ‘tools’ that can help you get organized.

Helps you better understand the path you should follow in managing your project.

Will Your Project Be A Success?

If you plan your project well, you can expect it to succeed.

Not everything will happen the way you planned it or the way you wanted.

Some thing will just go WRONG You need to plan in advance how

to measure your project for success.

Planning Your Project

Decide on a strategy… how you will approach your project

Think about your project as if you were putting together a puzzle… one piece at a time. Puzzles take time.

Break your project into manageable pieces Definition Required materials and cost Where will the money come from? How many people will be needed? Scouts?

Adults? Etc. (see checklist and forms for more ideas)

Earning Troop Committee Approval Be sure your Eagle Project Workbook is updated and

you have all supporting information. Prepare a project presentation – use your computer,

flip charts, a project board or any other means of displaying your project to the audience (committee)

Know your subject and have all the required components completed in advance.

Have handouts (copies) for all committee members Anticipate questions the committee might ask you. Practice Have fun! You have worked hard on your project up

this point… show that you are proud of your work.

Working Your Project

You put a lot of work into your plan… follow it. Anticipate the unexpected… things will go

wrong. Show leadership… be a leader. Stay calm

and in charge, regardless of what happens. A good leader always shows their

appreciation for those who help them be successful… give lots of credit to others.

Take note of things that did and did not go as you planned them.

Reflecting On Your Project

What went well? What did not? What would you change if you had it to do

again? What did you do right? What could you have done better?

Reflecting allows you to learn from your project

Getting Scoutmaster Approval

Research your idea and gather information supporting the need for your project.

Organize your thoughts and document your project concept per the Eagle Project Workbook.

Do not under estimate the importance of this step.

Be ready for questions testing your knowledge of your subject, benefits, etc.

Resources

Internet (examples)

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/index.html http://home.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm#TOC http://www.troop575.org

Library Subject Matter Experts (examples)

Others

Use your resources wisely… it will simplify things.