Capstone Project
As a way to gain proficiency in MS Office applications, you will create a project developing
documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations. You will not only focus on individual
applications, but also integrating elements among different applications. For example, create a
chart in Excel and put it in a PowerPoint slide.
To start a project, you need to develop a business plan. A business plan does not have to be
about doing business. It could be non-profit, personal project, as well as business.
The first step is planning the project. You have already posted your idea and plan in the Final
Project Proposal forum. Follow up upon the instructor’s feedback.
Planning and Proposal
It is a time to plan for the final project. Using the tools that you have and will learn from the
course including WORD, EXCEL, ACCESS, and POWERPOINT, you will create a business plan
package.
The main document will be the business plan. Your final project may or may not be a business
theme; it could be a non-profit or a personal project. Regardless, you may utilize the tools from
Small Business Administration. Read the basics of business plans with focuses on marketing
plan, stakeholders, and strategic plan.
And then, check out some sample business plans at
http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm
Lastly, post the following in the discussion board:

Briefly discuss:
o Your project and project plan or business case,
o A list of stakeholders and his or her role; and
o Strategic plan.

List what kinds of data you will need to support your plans. For example, data on your
industry trends, number of competitors in the area, and so on. Next week, you will get
to find those data.
Researching
Your business plan of the final project needs supporting data and/or information. How would
you find them? Well? You could search the Web using Google. However, you will need more
comprehensive and accountable resources than most Web sites.
Librarians can be great resource to find what you need. In fact, many companies and
institutions have staff librarians who are specialized in the field. Seattle Central has librarians
and electronic resources you can utilize. Here, you will challenge yourself in utilizing the
resources to the maximum!
Here is what to do:
1. Go to http://seattlecentral.edu/library/passport/ and study the basics of utilizing the
library.
2. Pick a topic of a research for your Final Project. For example, you may research on
business trend or statistics of your business plan.
3. Using the Seattle Central library (and other library systems such as SPL and King Co.
Library), find at least 1 item of the following categories:



e-Book,
Electronic article, and
Database.
When you post your discussion, briefly describe your project, and list the following information
for each item you find:




Title of the item,
Publisher and/or author,
Date of publication, and
Brief description of each item.
Briefly discuss how the data and information you found would be incorporated in your business
plan.
If you need help in researching, ask a librarian at the college library, or post your question in the
Ask the Librarian discussion board in Week 6 folder.
Alternatively, you may utilize the “Chat with a Librarian” service at
http://dept.sccd.ctc.edu/cclib/Research_Help/question.asp.
Business plan:

A business plan solidifies your idea into a visual format. It is not only a final product of your
project, but also a process to clarify and reinforce your idea. Read the following links to
learn more about business planning.

The Basics: http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

How to Write a Business Plan:
o http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html
o Step-by-Step
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/SERV_WRRITIN
GBUSPLAN.html
o Samples: http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans/ by BPlans.com
Deliverable List
This list is a suggestion. You may develop your own list with the instructor. Communicate your
ideas with the instructor in the Final Project Proposal forum.
Word: Integrate with Excel.
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Business Letter

Desktop Publishing: Poster or Newsletter
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Business Plan document with Excel elements such as charts (This is a requirement.)

Mailing label using mail merge

Budget

Income and expense

Expenses in detail, e.g. Salary, Supplies, and Business Operations (rent).
Excel:
Access:

Tables: At least 2-3 tables. Contacts, Inventory,

Queries: At least 5 answering specific questions for your operation. E.g. list of
customers in 98122 zip code area.

Forms: Minimum of 3 forms accessing tables and queries.

Reports: Minimum of 3.
PowerPoint: Integrate with Excel, Word, and Access.
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Minimum of 1 or 2.
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Present your business plan or orientation.