Tech Solutions: Budget Proposal for a Growing Company
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as technology consultants, develop and propose a technology plan within a strict budget that meets the essential needs of a modern company and effectively communicates its value to company administrators?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the key technology needs of a modern company?
- How does a budget constrain technology purchasing decisions?
- What are the best strategies for effectively presenting a technology proposal to stakeholders?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the key technology needs of a modern company.
- Learn how budget constraints impact technology purchasing decisions.
- Develop strategies for presenting technology proposals effectively.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students"Future of Work Tech Vision"
Show a short, engaging video clip of a futuristic workplace or a company known for its innovative technology. Ask students to identify the technologies shown and predict how these tools might impact different departments within a company, challenging them to think beyond conventional tech solutions.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Departmental Tech Essentials
Students will research and identify the core technology requirements for various departments within a modern company.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed list of essential technology needs for departments such as marketing, sales, HR, and IT, including justifications for each.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand the key technology needs of a modern company.Budget Prioritization Challenge
Students will explore the costs associated with different technology solutions and learn to prioritize needs within a given budget.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA spreadsheet comparing the costs of various technology options, with a prioritized list of purchases that fit within the budget.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Learn how budget constraints impact technology purchasing decisions.Tech Proposal Pitch
Students will create a persuasive presentation outlining their proposed technology plan, emphasizing its value and cost-effectiveness to company administrators.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA professional presentation (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.) that includes a clear overview of the proposed technology plan, budget breakdown, and persuasive arguments for its adoption.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop strategies for presenting technology proposals effectively.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioTechnology Proposal Rubric
Departmental Tech Essentials
This category assesses the students' ability to identify and justify the core technology requirements for various departments within a modern company.Departmental Technology Identification
Identification of core technology tools and infrastructure for the assigned department, demonstrating understanding of departmental functions.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies and justifies essential technology tools and infrastructure with exceptional insight into departmental functions, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of current and emerging technologies.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies and justifies essential technology tools and infrastructure for the assigned department, showing a solid understanding of departmental functions.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some technology tools but struggles to fully justify their relevance to departmental functions, indicating a basic understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify essential technology tools or justify their relevance to departmental functions, demonstrating limited understanding.
Research and Justification Quality
Depth of research into departmental technology needs and clarity of justifications provided.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates extensive research and provides exceptionally clear, well-supported justifications for all chosen technologies, reflecting a deep understanding of industry best practices.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research and provides clear, well-supported justifications for the chosen technologies.
Developing
2 PointsShows evidence of research but provides justifications that are sometimes unclear or lack sufficient support.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research and provides weak or unclear justifications for the chosen technologies.
Budget Prioritization Challenge
This category assesses the students' ability to explore the costs associated with different technology solutions and learn to prioritize needs within a given budget.Cost Comparison and Research
Ability to effectively research and compare the costs of various technology solutions relevant to the departments researched.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts thorough research, accurately compares costs, and provides insightful justifications for technology choices, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of budget implications and strategic decision-making.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts effective research, accurately compares costs, and provides sound justifications for technology choices within the given budget.
Developing
2 PointsConducts basic research, compares costs with some inaccuracies, and provides limited justification for technology choices.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research, struggles to compare costs accurately, and provides minimal justification for technology choices.
Budget Allocation and Prioritization
Clarity and justification of prioritization decisions based on company needs and budget constraints. Prioritization should reflect understanding of trade-offs.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a highly strategic and clearly justified prioritization plan, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of trade-offs and optimal resource allocation to maximize company benefit.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and well-justified prioritization plan that effectively balances company needs and budget constraints.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a prioritization plan with some justification, but may not fully address company needs or budget constraints.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a poorly justified prioritization plan that does not adequately address company needs or budget constraints.
Tech Proposal Pitch
This category assesses the students' ability to create a persuasive presentation outlining their proposed technology plan, emphasizing its value and cost-effectiveness to company administrators.Presentation Clarity and Persuasion
Clarity and persuasiveness of the presentation of the proposed technology plan, including how well the plan addresses the company's needs.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers an exceptionally clear, persuasive, and compelling presentation that demonstrates a profound understanding of the company's needs and articulates the technology plan's value with extraordinary insight.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear and persuasive presentation that effectively addresses the company's needs and articulates the value of the technology plan.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a somewhat unclear or unpersuasive presentation that partially addresses the company's needs.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a presentation that is unclear, unpersuasive, and fails to adequately address the company's needs.
Budget Detail and Justification
Quality of the budget breakdown and justification for each technology purchase. Demonstrates a clear understanding of resource allocation.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an exceptionally detailed and rigorously justified budget breakdown, demonstrating mastery of resource allocation and a comprehensive understanding of financial implications.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a detailed and well-justified budget breakdown, demonstrating a clear understanding of resource allocation.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a budget breakdown with some details, but justification for purchases may be lacking.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a budget breakdown that lacks detail and justification for purchases.
Presentation Delivery and Professionalism
Professionalism and delivery of the presentation, including visual aids and overall communication skills.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers a highly polished and professional presentation with exceptional visual aids and flawless communication skills, captivating the audience and conveying complex information with ease.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a professional presentation with effective visual aids and clear communication skills.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers a presentation with adequate visual aids and communication skills, but may lack some polish.
Beginning
1 PointsDelivers a presentation with poor visual aids and weak communication skills.