Assignment Brief: Written Report (Option Appraisal)

Horizons Competition - Written Report

Your team will produce a written report that analyzes your chosen challenge and evaluates potential solution approaches. The focus should be on thoroughly understanding the problem space and critically assessing various ways to address it. This analysis will form the foundation for developing your innovative solution, which you will present in the final stage of the competition.

Requirements

1. Executive Summary: 250 words
2. Main Report: 1500 words
3. Total Word Count: 1750 words (excluding references and appendices)
4. Format: Professional report style, including executive summary, introduction, main body, conclusion, and references

Report Structure and Content

Executive Summary - 250 words

A concise overview that includes

• Clear problem statement
• Key findings from your analysis
• Summary of potential solution approaches
• Critical factors for success
• Recommendations for further development

Problem Analysis ≈ 500 words

• Define the core problem and its boundaries
• Map direct and indirect impacts
• Identify and analyze key stakeholders
• Examine contextual factors (geographic, economic, social, technical)
• Present relevant data and trends

Current Landscape ≈ 400 words

• Review of existing solutions and approaches
• Analysis of why current solutions succeed or fail
• Identification of gaps and opportunities
• Market analysis where applicable

Options Analysis ≈ 500 words

• Identification of potential solution approaches
• Evaluation criteria and methodology
• Comparative analysis of approaches
• Strengths and weaknesses of each option
• Implementation considerations

Conclusions and Recommendations ≈ 100 words

• Key findings from analysis
• Critical success factors
• Areas requiring further investigation
• Recommendations for solution development

Grading Criteria

Your report will be evaluated on the following criteria (scale 1-5, where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent)

1. Problem Understanding and Research Quality
   • Depth of problem analysis
   • Quality and relevance of research sources
2. Innovation and Creativity
   • Originality of proposed solutions
   • Creative approach to addressing the challenge
3. Feasibility and Impact
   • Realistic implementation potential
   • Projected environmental/social impact
4. Writing Quality and Clarity
   • Organization and structure
   • Clarity of expression and professional tone

Grading Details

Expectations

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the chosen grand challenge
• Conduct focused research using credible academic and industry sources
• Propose innovative, yet feasible solutions
• Clearly articulate your ideas and support them with evidence
• Show interdisciplinary thinking in your approach
• Adhere to academic integrity standards and properly cite all sources
• Present information concisely and effectively within the word limit

Submission

Submit your report as a PDF document through the canvas Horizons assignment page. Note that only one submission per group is required but make sure that the submission contains all the names of the members of your group.