Proposal Defense
Self-score your readiness, sample the committee question bank, and track feedback until it is resolved.
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Rubric items
0/8
Defense readiness rubric (self-assessment)
Score yourself honestly on each weighted item, 0 (missing) to 4 (exemplary). This is your own gauge — the committee will score you independently.
Problem definition and significance (15% weight)
I can state the problem, stakeholder, and consequence in one breath.
Literature review and gap (15% weight)
I can name the studies that support my gap and defend why it is unresolved.
Objectives and research questions (10% weight)
Each objective has a measurable acceptance criterion I can recite.
Methodology and design approach (20% weight)
I can justify every method choice against at least one alternative.
Technical rigor (15% weight)
I can walk through my governing calculation from assumption to result.
Feasibility and planning (10% weight)
I can defend my schedule, budget and risk plan under pressure.
Delivery and composure (10% weight)
I can answer a hostile question without reading from notes.
Timing and pacing (5% weight)
I have rehearsed within 30 seconds of my target time per slide.
Mock committee questions
Dr. Alvarez — Technical expert
In one sentence, what problem does your project solve and for whom?
Eng. Whitfield, P.E. — Practicing engineer
What specifically is missing in the existing literature?
Dr. Osei — Methodology reviewer
How will you know your objectives were achieved?
Ms. Tran — Constructability reviewer
What is explicitly out of scope, and why?
Dr. Bello — Sustainability reviewer
Can you complete this in one semester with your resources?
Dr. Alvarez — Technical expert
Which assumption, if wrong, breaks your project?
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