Phase III grading complete.

Class,

The project grading is complete.

Descriptive summaries:
Out of the 14% course grade and across 43 project groups, the mean is 7.61, the std dev is 2.04 and the range is (3.5, 11.25).

The overriding considerations in grading were more on the logic employed to get to actionable recommendations than on analysis output that did not directly support the recommendations. Thoughtful execution showed itself quite clearly here, I must add.

The mandatory requirements were there for a reason - they essentially specified data descriptions, input and output summaries, matrix sizes etc be mentioned - to help gauge what the quality of logic and implementation. Sadly, few groups did well on this count.

The level and detail of analysis in many instances was quite impressive, I must add. How much they supported the research objectives was not always clear, though. Some of the wackier recommendations actually seemed to make sense - implying both creative, out-of-box thinking as well as the crucial element of having fun with the project.

Anyway, this was intended to be a major learning exercise. From applying a variety of software tools to project planning, resource allocation and prioritization - the project was designed to bring together all the major elements of design and implementation that I went on and on about in the lectures. Sure, a team situation, time pressures, uncertainty and lack of clarity on some aspect or the other etc all added to the realism and the challenge factor.

Hopefully, inquiring and interested folks did find learning, meaning and application in the course of executing the project.

Chalo, enough said.

Goodbye and Good luck.

Sudhir