Why Presentation is Important. Your project experience is intended to serve as the practical application of your coursework, and as the culmination of your studies here. Furthermore, communication and presentation skills are among the top priorities of any employer.

The requirements include:

Organization and Content

·  Introduce your team and it’s members

·  Do something to get the attention of your audience “cognitive dissonance” or tasteful humor.

·  Introduce the project and mention your clients.

·  Speak to the problem and what your software will do to “fix” the problem

·  Over view the planning process (could include one of the diagrams used)

·  Over view the analysis process (could include one of the diagrams used)

·  Over view the design process (could include several of the diagrams used)

·  Over view the implementation process – show what the software looked like as it was enhanced to meet the clients needs.

·  Complete a software demo hitting the main points – do not record, just practice, practice practice so you are absolutely sure IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY.

·  Your presentation should contain:

o  Title.

o  Introduction that grabs the attention of the audience,

o  Organized structure of your main points,

o  Well-developed conclusion that summarizes, draws conclusions and suggests what further work could be done on the project – make your client proud of you J

·  Use logical transitions to move from one point in the presentation to the next

·  Acknowledge both your field and project sponsor, either in your introduction or your conclusion.

·  Acknowledge any help (student intern) who worked on the project with you

·  Plan the presentation timing: a minimum of 20 minutes including question/answer time.

Multimedia – PowerPoint, Website

·  A visual presentation is required – at a minimum, a single slide covering the basic project information.

·  Please do not read from the screen. Your audiovisual aids are intended to serve as highlights and additional informational aids for your audience. Be sufficiently familiar with your presentation to speak fluidly, with very occasional reference to notes of any kind.

·  Use font styles and sizes that can be read from the back of the room. Test your presentation early in the process to ensure its legibility.

·  Use creativity in design: avoid clutter, unreadable text and poor use of color combinations.

·  Pictures of you working onsite or of the site of your project enhance the presentation.

·  Do not block your audience’s view of the screen.

Speech and Voice

·  Speak up. Make certain that your voice is audible from the back of the room.

·  Make eye contact with different members of your audience – do not talk to the wall, the floor, the screen or your feet.

·  Avoid fillers like “hmmm” “aah” “you know”, “like”,etc.

·  Vary the rate of speech, and vary the rate and volume to suit the purpose.

·  Relax, smile and speak naturally – your audience is eager to be impressed, and you’re the expert for the day.

·  Professional dress is recommended.