SayPro Index Development Milestones

. Project Planning and Preparation

Milestone 1: Finalizing Research Plan and Methodology

• Date: Week 1-2
• Tasks:
  • Finalize the overall research plan, including objectives, sampling strategy, and research tools (surveys, interviews).
  • Develop detailed timelines and assign responsibilities.
  • Confirm stakeholder engagement strategy and outreach plans to educational institutions and relevant partners.

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2. Survey and Interview Development

Milestone 2: Completion of Survey and Interview Templates

• Date: Week 3
• Tasks:
  • Design survey questionnaires and interview templates based on the identified research focus areas.
  • Pilot test the surveys and interview templates with a small group to ensure clarity, relevance, and ease of completion.
  • Revise based on feedback from the pilot test.

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3. Data Collection

Milestone 3: Launch of Data Collection Phase

• Date: Week 4-6
• Tasks:
  • Begin distributing surveys to the selected student population (500 respondents across institutions).
  • Conduct interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, faculty members, and students.
  • Ensure online and offline methods are used for diverse data collection.
  • Continue regular monitoring to ensure data collection is progressing as planned.

Milestone 4: Data Collection Complete

• Date: Week 8
• Tasks:
  • Ensure a sufficient sample size (500 students) has been reached.
  • Close the survey and interview data collection channels.
  • Begin preliminary data cleaning and review to ensure completeness and accuracy.

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4. Data Coding and Analysis

Milestone 5: Completion of Data Coding and Categorization

• Date: Week 9-10
• Tasks:
  • Code qualitative data from interviews and open-ended survey responses.
  • Categorize the data according to the identified educational need areas (academic support, technological access, mental health resources, financial support, etc.).
  • Review for any trends or patterns in the data that can inform the Student Need Index.

Milestone 6: Data Analysis and Index Creation

• Date: Week 11-12
• Tasks:
  • Analyze the data to identify key trends, correlations, and gaps in student needs.
  • Develop the Student Need Index (SNI), determining the weight and importance of various student needs based on the intensity and urgency of responses.
  • Validate the SNI methodology with academic advisors, key stakeholders, and experts.

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5. Report Writing and Stakeholder Engagement

Milestone 7: First Draft of Research Report

• Date: Week 13
• Tasks:
  • Compile the data analysis, index development, and overall findings into a comprehensive report.
  • Draft the report, including a detailed explanation of the methodology, results, and implications for future educational initiatives.
  • Include actionable recommendations for SayPro’s educational strategies.

Milestone 8: Stakeholder Review and Feedback

• Date: Week 14
• Tasks:
  • Share the first draft with key stakeholders (educational institutions, NGOs, student groups, etc.) for feedback.
  • Collect feedback on the report’s accuracy, clarity, and applicability.
  • Revise the report based on the feedback received.

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6. Final Reporting and Dissemination

Milestone 9: Final Report Submission and Presentation

• Date: Week 15
• Tasks:
  • Finalize the report, incorporating all revisions from stakeholder feedback.
  • Present the findings, index, and recommendations to SayPro’s leadership, partner institutions, and key stakeholders.
  • Create an executive summary for wider dissemination.

Milestone 10: Public Release of Findings

• Date: Week 16
• Tasks:
  • Publish the full report and executive summary on SayPro’s website.
  • Share the findings through webinars, social media, and other communication channels to ensure widespread access to the results.
  • Host a follow-up session or webinar to discuss the findings and next steps.

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7. Ongoing Monitoring and Updates

Milestone 11: Establishment of Tracking System for SNI

• Date: Week 17 onwards
• Tasks:
  • Develop a system for tracking changes in the Student Need Index over time.
  • Set up regular review periods (quarterly, annually) to update the index based on new data and shifting student needs.
  • Regularly engage with stakeholders to keep the research relevant and responsive to emerging trends.

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Timeline Overview

Milestone	Timeline
1. Finalizing Research Plan and Methodology	Week 1-2
2. Completion of Survey and Interview Templates	Week 3
3. Launch of Data Collection Phase	Week 4-6
4. Data Collection Complete	Week 8
5. Completion of Data Coding and Categorization	Week 9-10
6. Data Analysis and Index Creation	Week 11-12
7. First Draft of Research Report	Week 13
8. Stakeholder Review and Feedback	Week 14
9. Final Report Submission and Presentation	Week 15
10. Public Release of Findings	Week 16
11. Establishment of Tracking System for SNI	Week 17 onwards