Free Technology Guild Seed Project Template

To use this template: just copy and paste into a new wiki page, and start editing! Feel free to look at existing examples for some clues about the format. If you have ideas about how the template should change, please discuss them in the talk page or working group before making changes here.

Note that other organizations can offer you money right away (or... at least a chance at money, if you can beat the competition). FTG is a different sort of opportunity. Have a look at our main project page and ask any questions in the working group.

One of the ways we're different is that what you "get" from the FTG is related to what you can offer us. Of course we're happy to give feedback on interesting proposals! But we're particularly interested in proposals that have something to offer to FTG members. Maybe that's volunteer opportunities, maybe it's employment opportunities, maybe it's working code. Be clear about what you can offer.

Perhaps even more important than what you offer us and what we offer you is to clearly understand why. What's the point of any of this? You may want to watch a couple videos from Simon Sinek (especially if you haven't already!) and think a little more about this topic as you write and revise your application.
 * Start with why
 * After why comes : trust

=My Project Idea=

Add a short description. Grab people immediately. It can never be too simple.

To help others navigate the list of proposals, please include this parenthetical: (Back to proposals.)

One Line Summary
If people don't understand what you're trying to build, they won't support you.

What is the proposed solution?
(and make sure you've made it clear what problem it is you're solving)

How will you make the change?
(and why should we believe that you can do it? Back your proposal up with evidence that the people and context are right.  Highlight your enthusiasm for the project and make sure the main points of your plan are well laid out. Once more: why should we believe that this approach will work?)

What is your value proposition?
You might want to include a killer statement or figure for a non-expert explaining how this is all going to work and why it is awesome.

Why is this different from other offerings?
If you have a goal, a research question, or any kind of reasonably clear objectives, you can use them here to highlight how what you propose to accomplish is different from everything else out there.

=Team: bio, expertise, and role(s) in the group=

Member 1
I do... We do... The main objects of concern are... In the end it's all about...

Member 2
I do... We do... The main objects of concern are... In the end it's all about...

Member 3
I do... We do... The main objects of concern are... In the end it's all about...

(Etc., add or delete personnel as needed.)

Recruitment policy
=Stage of the venture=

(Has this idea been tried before in any form?)

Milestones yet to be achieved
Add concrete detail on just how you plan to achieve your objectives. Include a link to your project's roadmap.

=Support arrangement=

(What do we miss if we don't support this project? Also, say a little bit about who are working with -- or inspired by.  Who are the main stakeholders and how involved are they.)

Who else do you need on your team to make the project a success? What other resources do you need?
(What does success look like? What assumptions will you test? How will you know if the project worked or not?)

What in general would you do with funding or volunteer support?
Maybe it's obvious, but you should use money to do stuff that's relevant and that won't happen otherwise.

What can your project offer to the Guild?
(And, more broadly, what are your contributions to (a) society, (b) knowledge? ... Just a high level sketch, any details can be added in the final section.)

=Market and Competitors=

What does success look like? What assumptions will you test? How will you know if the project worked or not?

Quantify the market (if possible).
What parts work well already? What parts are missing?

Specify your target niche (my target is "any Internet user" is not an answer)
Do not, in any case and under any condition, say that you don’t have competitors. Seriously, don't.

=A few numbers=

FTG Resources required and forecast are welcome. If you don’t know how to put it together, just try: we'll work on it together.

How do you plan to keep yourself accountable in this project?

=Any questions?=

If there are any questions you'd like us to help you address, please flag them up here. You can also use this section to record any questions you yourself would like to address later.