SYNOPSIS MAIN POINT

Project Objectives:
The effect (outcome and impact) of a project can only be assessed and verified if
it is clear what the effect of the planned project should be. Carrying out a
situation analysis and defining the outcome and impact objectives form the basis
of outcome and impact assessment.
Questions
Finding answers to the following questions can provide the first step in
an impact assessment:

What is the problem and what are its causes?

What are the target groups needs and what do other stakeholders want?

What do we want to change for the target group?

What longer-term effects do we want to trigger?

How does this contribute to the overarching goals both within and
outside our organisation?

Which external factors and forces might work against these objectives?

Problem Statement
A problem statement is a concise description of the issues that need to be
addressed by a problem solving team and should be presented to them (or
created by them) before they try to solve the problem. On the other hand, a
statement of the problem is a claim of one or two sentences in length that
outlines the problem addressed by the study. The statement of the problem
should briefly address the question: What is the problem that the research will
address?
When bringing together a team to achieve a particular purpose, provide them
with a problem statement. A good problem statement should answer these
questions:
1. What is the problem? This should explain why the team is needed.
2. Who has the problem or who is the client/customer? This should explain
who needs the solution and who will decide the problem has been solved.
3. What form can the resolution be? What is the scope and limitations (in
time, money, resources, technologies) that can be used to solve the
problem? Does the client want a white paper? A web-tool? A new feature
for a product? A brainstorming on a topic?

Research Methodology
Methodology is the systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a
field of study. It comprises the theoretical analysis of the body of methods and
principles associated with a branch of knowledge. Typically, it encompasses

SYNOPSIS MAIN POINT

concepts such as paradigm, theoretical model, phases and quantitative or
qualitative techniques.
A methodology does not set out to provide solutions - it is, therefore, not the
same thing as a method. Instead, it offers the theoretical underpinning for
understanding which method, set of methods or so called best practices can be
applied to specific case, for example, to calculate a specific result.
It has been defined also as follows:
1. "the analysis of the principles of methods, rules, and postulates employed
by a discipline";.
2. "the systematic study of methods that are, can be, or have been applied
within a discipline";]
3. "the study or description of methods".