Posted on 12/03/2001 6:29:25 PM PST by anymouse
Have you ever wondered what you can do to make a real difference as a FReeper (besides donating to keep FR running)? This is your chance to do just that.
A couple of months ago I had an idea for a special interest FRN chapter forum. A place where FReepers with special technical, writing and artistic talents could collaborate on high concept projects to enable FReeper chapters to be more effective in their FReeping. I call it the "Eagle Works" (a tip of the hat to Lockheed's Kelly Johnson's legendary "Skunk Works".)
A FReeper Cam broadcast kit is one such project that Bob J and I have been discussing. A FReep handbook might be another one. The Eagle Works in not meant to take the place of the usual ad hoc FReeper collaborations happening all of the time on FR. Rather it would provide a private collaborative workshop for efforts where we don't want to tip our hand to lurking disrupters before we are ready to roll out the tools to the FRN chapters. Each project has a team leader responsible for keeping the team motivated and on-schedule. They also are responsible for recruiting their team's members.
One key project already in motion is identifying a list of FReepers with demonstrated useful talents willing to lend a hand when called upon. That list would be made available to all project team leaders, JimRob and FRN board members, but will not be made generally available to protect FReepers' privacy. As a starting point we are using Alamo-Girl's FReeper Profiles list and the latest update thread. Please FReepmail me or post to this thread, to offer up your services as listed in the FReeper Profile list. (Contact Alamo-Girl to correct her FReeper Profile list.)
FReepers will be able to volunteer their (or nominate another FReeper) project idea for inclusion in the Eagle Works by submitting a project proposal (see form below) by FReepmail to me (Anymouse) or Bob J. In order for the proposed project to become an official Eagle Works project, the FRN board members or veteran Eagle Works team leaders would have to approve a project's entry into the Eagle Works." The FReeper that submits the project proposal, will become the project team leader, responsible for further development of the project schedule, recruiting team members and assigning tasks to the team. I will assist in identifying FReeper talent, but the project team leader is responsible for negotiating with the FReeper to join their project team.
Projects not accepted into the Eagle Works can still go forward to be worked in regular FR threads, but we don't want to clutter up the Eagle Works with underdeveloped ideas with no clear focus.
Generally team leaders (or team members themselves, if possible) are responsible for financing their own project, with a notable exception. One Project will be to establish a list of conservative donors willing to be presented with vetted FReeper project proposals that require substantial funding beyond what the team can arrange. This list would only be available to FRN board members. Inclusion on the list would only obligate these FReepers to consider those projects deemed worthy of funding.
The prime objective of the Eagle Works would be to hammer out effective tools for FReeping as quickly as possible. Thus the Eagle Works is a "freedom forge," were dedicated and gifted FReepers toil to empower their fellow FReepers with FReeping tools of superior quality and effectiveness.
With your help, we can make the "Eagle Works" just as awe inspiring as the legendary "Skunk Works."
Proposed Project Title
Charter Date: When approved by FRN BoD
Project Leader: Whomever is responsible
Mission Statement or Purpose:
A brief reason that the project was established. What real or perceived need is satisfied by the existence of this project? What is the long term goal? What is the primary expected result/product/benefit?
Scope of Project:
What are the constraining limits or the domain of the project? Are there established or negotiable resource or responsibility limits?
Project Goals and Milestone Completion Criteria:
What are the specific short, mid and long term goals of the project? How will the attainment of each specific milestone event be determined? What evidence of success must be shown?
Proposed Project Team Members:
Name | Position/Responsibility | Commitment Level | Phone (W/H) | E-Mail Address
Freeper talent suggested to work together as an integral team. Their commitment level is: (s) Suggested, (c) Contacted, (a) Agreed to join team.
External Contact Points:
Name | Position/Responsibility | Organization | Commitment Level | Phone (W/H) | E-Mail Address
Non-team members (Freepers or non-FReepers) that the team will consult with or report to. Their commitment level is: (s) Suggested, (c) Contacted, (a) Agreed to assist team.
Proposed Process Logic Flow:
See attached Figure _______.
Attach a sketch of the general logic flow of how the team proposes to turn the goals into results. This can be as simple or as complex as the team requires.
Proposed Schedule:
See attached Figure _______.
Attach a simple Gant or PERT chart schedule showing when the established milestones and expected results are projected to occur. This schedule is only a tool for tracking progress and can be updated as often as necessary.
Expected Results/Products/Benefits:
What are the specific characteristics of the result(s)/product(s)/benefit(s) that the project team expects to produce at the established milestones? What result/product/benefit or situation would signal the conclusion of the project? Who determines when the project has reached a logical conclusion?
I added you to the Eagle Works FRN forum. Try logging in and see if you can get in. Let me know if you have problems.
If nothing comes to mind right now, we'll still need talented FReepers to support EW projects later, so stand by.
If you want you can contact Alamo-Girl to update your FReeper profile to add skills, that will ensure a project team leader knows to contact you when those skills are needed for a particular project.
I erased the rest of this note! You know me! Stay well and vigilant, my friend......FRegards
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