To help guide students in submitting deliverables that meet our standards, we’ve outlined the following minimal viable criteria. Please keep in mind that while we do not expect every single piece of work to be uploaded, we do need sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the time claimed accurately reflects the work completed.
What is an Acceptable Deliverable?
An acceptable deliverable can take different forms depending on the nature of the project. If confidentiality agreements or NDAs are in place, we cannot accept redacted deliverables. Instead, students should focus on submitting reflective materials that outline their work in sufficient detail, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Here are the key guidelines for what we expect in each scenario:
Reflections:
Content: The reflection should outline the specific tasks or activities the student worked on, the skills they applied or developed, and how these contributed to the overall success of the project.
Length: Reflections should be at least one full page (300-500 words) in length.
Format: Reflections should be clear, concise, and written in a professional manner, demonstrating the student’s understanding of their contribution to the project.
Components to Include:
A brief overview of the project and the student’s role.
A detailed description of the tasks and work completed, including any challenges faced and how they were overcome.
Reflection on how the work aligns with the student’s learning objectives or career goals.
An explanation of the student’s key takeaways and the impact the work had on their skill development.
Final Reports (Non-Redacted):
Content: The final report should provide a clear and complete summary of the work completed during the project. If sensitive information is involved, students must find a way to provide a comprehensive report without the need to redact or withhold substantial content.
Length: The report should be thorough and detail the scope of the project and the outcomes achieved, providing sufficient evidence of the work completed.
Format: The report should follow a clear structure (e.g., introduction, objectives, methodology, results, conclusions, and reflections).
Components to Include:
A clear explanation of the project’s goals and objectives.
A breakdown of the tasks and work completed, with a focus on outcomes and results.
Insights into how the work contributed to the success of the project.
A summary of the skills developed during the project and how they were applied.
Work Logs:
Content: Work logs should provide brief summaries of the tasks completed during each work session, including the time spent on each task. More information on worklogs can be found in this help article.
Length: Each entry should be around 2-3 sentences, providing enough detail to justify the hours worked.
Format: Entries should be clear and consistent, with a focus on describing the task, the process followed, and any outcomes.
Components to Include:
A short description of the task.
The specific outcomes or progress made during that session.
Any challenges or learnings encountered during the work session.
What If I Can't Share Full Work Due to an NDA?
We understand that some projects may involve sensitive or confidential information, and while we cannot accept redacted deliverables, we still require the student to provide enough detail to demonstrate the value of their work. As per agreements signed before participating in our programs, no NDA can prevent students from providing sufficient proof of work completed during the project.
In such cases, students can:
Submit a Reflection: A well-written reflection that fully explains the work completed and the skills developed will be accepted.
Use Alternative Documentation: If applicable, students may submit other relevant documentation that does not compromise the confidentiality of the project but provides a clear picture of the work completed. This might include summaries of tasks, non-confidential presentations, or data analysis reports that do not contain proprietary information.
While we understand the need for confidentiality, we must ensure that the work submitted demonstrates that the hours worked align with the tasks completed. We cannot accept deliverables that do not provide sufficient evidence of the work done.
Why Are These Deliverables Important?
As we distribute Government of Canada funding through this program, it is crucial that we demonstrate the value of the work completed by students. Our funding partners require us to ensure that the hours claimed for each project accurately reflect the work completed, and the deliverables help us substantiate these claims. These guidelines ensure that we can maintain compliance while also allowing students the flexibility to submit their work in a manner that reflects their contributions.