R&D Toolkit
  1. Overview
      2. Overview
    1. Introduction
      2.
      1. Recent Updates
        2.
    2. Tools
      3.
      1. Research
        2.
      2. Delivery
        3.
    3. Resources
      4.
      1. R&D
        2.
      2. Websites
        3.
      3. Project Tracking
        4.
      4. Further Resources
        5.
  2. Research
      3. Research Tools
    1. Problem
      2.
      1. Discovery
        2.
      2. Prioritisation
        3.
      3. Project Scoping
        4.
      4. Framing
        5.
    2. Empathise
      3.
      1. Investigate
        2.
      2. User Interview
        3.
      3. User Insights
        4.
      4. Data
        5.
    3. Mapping
      4.
      1. Research Mapping
        2.
      2. User Mapping
        3.
      3. Organisation Mapping
        4.
    4. Synthesis
      5.
      1. Problem Reframing
        2.
      2. Define
        3.
      3. Feature Prioritisation
        4.
  3. Design
      4. Design Tools
    1. Ideation
      2.
      1. Warm Up
        2.
      2. Sketching
        3.
      3. Storyboarding
        4.
      4. Design Studio
        5.
  4. Delivery
      5. Delivery Tools
    1. Agile
      2.
    2. Scrum
      3.
      1. Overview
        2.
      2. Team
        3.
      3. Events
        4.
      4. Artifacts
        5.
      5. Glossary
        6.

marc.tools

A Product R&D Toolkit

Welcome. I'm Marc and this is a Toolkit to create things.
Research Tools    Problem
Project Scoping

Now that we have discovered and prioritised the problem, we need a consistent method of moving the project forward, particularly as more people come in and out of the project in order to keep them all aligned.

The tools in this section can help out with the project scoping process, ensuring an agreed upon plan before any significant resource is invested in to the project.

Section Tools
Project Canvas
Lean Canvas
Project Brief
Deliverables
  
Problem    Project Scoping
Tool Info
Category Project Canvas
Updated 20/08/20
Templates   PDF     Miro
Creator Simon Stubben

Business Analysis

Part of the research phase requires introspection - understanding the current state of play, the context of the project, how the organisation operates and how any product development will align with the overarching strategy.

There are a number of elements that are part of the structure of an organisation - understanding these will help with clarifying what direction the project needs to go in and ultimately help increase the chances of a successful path forward.

  • Budget and Timeline
  • Stakeholders
  • Customers
  • Success metrics
  • Competitive context
  • Brand and culture
  • Business model

Project Canvas

A helpful tool that can align the various functions of a business, with the proposed opportunity/problem solving process is a Project Canvas. Taking what we've discovered in the first phase, we can begin to plot that opportunity with the business strategy, resources, goals and direction.

Further Resources
  The Project Canvas
  Create a new Project Canvas
  
Problem    Project Scoping
Tool Info
Category Project Scoping
Updated 20/09/20
Templates   PDF     Miro
Creator Ash Maurya

An updated, or modified version of the Business Model Canvas, a Lean Canvas seeks to emphasise the problem definition aspect of the project with the aim of solving wasted resources in developing products that aren't needed or wanted.

Comprised of 9 'building blocks', it encourages rapid business planning that are easy to digest for the audience - clearly defining the problem, the goal and plan for the project.

Further Resources
  Capture your Business Model on a Lean Canvas
  Lean Canvas Creator
  Why Lean Canvas vs Business Model Canvas?
  An Introduction to Lean Canvas
  
Problem    Project Scoping
Tool Info
Category Project Scoping
Updated 20/08/20
Templates   PDF     Miro
Creator N/A

A brief is a great starting point for aligning all stakeholders when a project is first being discussed and all will agree to the brief before the project commences.

The brief will largely cover what's expected throughout the project, and importantly what the deliverables are.

Whilst a brief is a flexible document, it usually includes the following areas for clarity;

  • Project Summary
  • Company Overview
  • Product Overview
  • Target User
  • Goals and Objectives
  • Constraints
  • Suggested Process and Tools
    • Phase 1 - Problem
    • Phase 2 - Research
    • Phase 3 - Synthesis
    • Phase 4 - Ideation
    • Phase 5 - Design
  • Project Deliverables
  • Schedule and Budget
  • Contacts/Stakeholders

  
Problem    Project Scoping
Tool Info
Category Project Scoping
Updated 20/08/20
Templates   PDF     Miro
Creator N/A

In the heat of the project, it's easy to lose site of the important things. Having clearly defined deliverables helps to keep focus throughout the project, ensuring those important things are checked off as we go.

It also helps with transparency amongst the team and stakeholders, with regularly delivered or iterated stages we can ensure people are still focused and onboard with the project, as well as being able to continue to be involved.