Project champions

Lacking at least one full-time HKUST faculty or staff to take ownership and lead the project.

Single HKUST faculty or staff as the  lead / point of contact.

Small dedicated team within one specialized unit, with one dedicated team leader and others committed to support.

An interdisciplinary team with a diverse member set, preferably with student and/or alumni involvement; with one dedicated team leader and others committed to support.

Stage of development

Requests for seed grant, basic research, entrepreneurship.

Project ideas with reasonable opportunity for campus, but lack definition or concrete steps for implementation.

Idea is further developed with a general budget, rough outline, and implementation timeline. Shared idea with campus operations staff (FMO, etc).  A demonstrable prototype or pilot has been developed.

Idea has well-defined project scope of work, line-level budget, timeline, and locations for implementation. Incorporated feedback from campus operations staff (FMO, etc). A demonstrable prototype or pilot has been developed.

Visibility and Educational Potential

Projects with zero potential for broad educational outcomes for the community; or no potential for follow-on research or knowledge transfer.

Projects that appeal only to people who specialize in the field; limited ability to showcase the technology or approach.  Some data or information generated with potential for follow-on work.

Internal or external projects that appeal to more than one stakeholder group, with some visible learning opportunities identified. Identification of KPIs and data potential for future follow-on projects.

"Home-grown” projects that are designed to engage multiple stakeholder groups and have potential for high visibility within the campus. Identification of KPIs and data potential for future follow-on projects, with specifics carved-out for student hands-on projects like UROP/USEL or service learning experiences.

Sustainable and Smart

Projects that cannot satisfy definitions.

Projects that have marginal smart or sustainable benefits, but not combined.

Projects that can demonstrate positive sustainable and smart elements.

Projects that satisfy the definitions in ways that provide a clear demonstration of how the approach is a model for the vision, and would be a clear source of inspiration and pride for the HKUST community 

Value for money

Projects that cannot demonstrate a positive value for money proposition; are lacking life-cycle cost/benefit description, and no end-of life plan.

Value for money as defined through a life-cycle cost benefit analysis.  Includes some end of life considerations; acknowledgement of staff expectations.

Positive value for money in life-cycle CBA, clearly defined end-of-life strategy; identification of specific operations staff and plan for hand-over.

Positive value for money in life-cycle CBA, clearly defined end-of-life strategy with salvage / recycling plan; clear and accepted roles for admin staff for hand-over.