4.6 Horses for Courses

Often a department will offer several types of project, but put them all through a single one-size-fits-all allocation mechanism

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This bundle proposes that you use different (and differently appropriate) allocation mechanisms for different types of project.

The way it works is that you distinguish between "Research" and "Design-and-Build" etc [See 1.5 and 1.6] with regard to the allocation process. If a research-type project is offered, then the allocation process should be along research (or research-group) lines. Ways in which this can be implemented are: writing a formal proposal which is reviewed; an interview with the head of the appropriate research group; a personal recommendation from a research supervisor. These methods are clearly inappropriate for "Design-and-Build" projects and should not be used for them.

It doesn't work if you only offer one type of project, or if your allocation mechanism is defined (by QA or other stipulations). It doesn't work if the types of project you offer are already confused (on paper, in presentation or in the minds of students, or staff).

It works better if the "type" of the project is clearly distinguished in advance, so that students know what the difference is, and that the difference starts with allocation.

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So: use appropriate instruments for allocation