Page 178 - Educational Technology A Primer for the 21st Century

170 10 Educational Project Design and Evaluation
Identify any emerging pattern. Record and compile possible explanations and
ask: What proof do we have to prove that the problem exists? What is the impact of
the problem?
Step Three:
Continue step one and step two until the explanation converges to some basic
causal factors. Concern about the systemic interpretation and ask: What sequence of
events led to the problem? What conditions allow the problem to happen? What
other issues center around the occurrence of central problems?
Step Four:
Define the problem or problems by describing their root causes. Determine the
system structure relationship that is creating the conditions that need to be corrected
and ask: Why do causal factors exist? What is the real cause of the problem?
Step Five:
Determine the action or actions required to change the system relationship that
created the problem or problems. Suggest implementing a solution and ask: How
will the solution be achieved? Who is responsible? What are the risks of imple-
menting the solution?
When problem or problems are ensured, the goals or objectives are also
emerged. The goals or objectives can be thought as the situation in the future, once
problems have been resolved. The negative situations of the problem are converted
into solutions and expressed as positive achievements of the objective.

10.3.3 Input Factors

To implement a project, input factors are necessary. Inputs typically include such
things as resources required and obtained, training materials developed, training
provided, results of quality reviews and small-scale field tests, and so on (Spector &
Yuan, 2016).
A resource (input) plan helps to present all the materials and resources needed
for project implementation. It lays down the requirements for staff, equipment and
materials, and budgeting, and provides the cost of the required resources. The
resource plan lists the requirements and costs of all necessary inputs: personnel,
basic office premises or facilities, equipment and materials, or services such as
special subcontracting supplies, training workshops, and other miscellaneous inputs
(ILO, 2010).
Resource (input) plans need to be tailored to specific activities and actions. For
each activity, a list of inputs is prepared, which can then be aggregated by category
to prepare an overall project resource plan (ILO, 2010). Figure 10.4 shows a sample
of resource plan.