DNP 7400 DNP Project I – Planning & Design

Course Overview
DNP 7400 marks the formal initiation of the student's capstone DNP project. Building on foundational coursework in EBP, organizational leadership, and policy, students will identify, define, and plan a practice improvement project that addresses a significant clinical, organizational, or population health problem. Students develop the first sections of a formal DNP project proposal, establish their project team and faculty committee, conduct stakeholder analysis, and complete required institutional approvals including IRB and organizational access agreements. The course emphasizes methodological rigor, feasibility analysis, and the translation of evidence into a specific, actionable implementation plan. Students are expected to complete a project plan ready for implementation by course end.

Learning Outcomes
•Identify and articulate a clinically and organizationally significant practice problem supported by data and evidence.
•Develop a comprehensive DNP project proposal including problem statement, PICOT question, literature review, and conceptual framework.
•Select an appropriate implementation science or quality improvement framework to guide project design and evaluation.
•Complete required institutional approvals including IRB determination and organizational access agreements.
•Conduct a thorough stakeholder and feasibility analysis to ensure project viability.
•Develop a detailed implementation plan with timeline, responsibilities, resources, and risk mitigation strategies.
•Establish a productive working relationship with faculty advisor, project committee, and site mentor.

Weekly Schedule & Assignments
Each week builds sequentially toward course and program competency goals. Complete readings before engaging in assignments.
DNP Project Overview & Expectations Project Vision Statement & Goal Setting
Write a 1-page project vision statement describing the practice problem you intend to address, the population affected, the practice setting, and your proposed type of intervention. Include a 1-page goal-setting document with SMART goals for completing DNP Project I milestones this semester. Share with your faculty advisor for approval.

Refining the Practice Problem & PICOT Problem Statement with Supporting Data
Write a refined 2-page problem statement for your DNP project. Include: a description of the problem, local and national prevalence/incidence data, the impact on patient outcomes or organizational performance, and the gap between current and desired practice. Attach your finalized PICOT question. Cite a minimum of five peer-reviewed sources.

Conceptual & Theoretical Frameworks Framework Selection Paper
Select a conceptual framework and an implementation framework to guide your project (e.g., Donabedian's Structure-Process-Outcome + CFIR). Write a 2-page paper explaining each framework's core concepts, how they will organize your project's intervention and evaluation, and how they are applied in the existing literature on similar projects.

Literature Review Finalization
Finalize and expand your evidence synthesis from DNP 7300 into a complete literature review (5–7 pages) meeting DNP proposal standards. Organize by theme, not by source. Demonstrate clear linkage between the evidence and your proposed intervention. Incorporate all prior faculty feedback. Use APA 7th edition throughout.

Project Design & Methodology Methods Section Draft
Write a 2-page Methods section for your DNP project proposal. Include: project design type (QI, EBP implementation, program development), setting description, population and eligibility criteria, intervention description, implementation timeline overview, and measurement approach. Align your methods with your conceptual framework.

Stakeholder Analysis & Engagement Plan Stakeholder Analysis & Communication Plan
Identify all internal and external stakeholders for your DNP project. Complete a stakeholder analysis matrix (role, interest, influence, support level, engagement strategy). Write a 2-page stakeholder communication and engagement plan describing how you will build buy-in and manage resistance throughout implementation.

IRB Review Process & Research Ethics IRB Application or QI Exemption Documentation
Determine whether your project requires IRB review or qualifies for QI/program evaluation exemption. Complete and submit the appropriate documentation to your institution's IRB (or obtain an exemption determination letter). Submit the completed application or exemption letter to your faculty advisor with a 1-page explanation of your determination.

Organizational Access & Site Agreements
Site Agreement & Organizational Access Documentation
Draft or obtain a formal organizational access agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from your project site. If required, obtain a letter of support from an organizational champion (e.g., CNO, department director). Submit all access documentation with a 1-page summary of site readiness and any organizational access challenges.

Intervention Design & Operationalization Intervention Protocol Document
Develop a detailed intervention protocol (2–3 pages) specifying: the exact steps of the intervention, who delivers it, how it is delivered, in what setting and timeframe, with what resources and materials, and how fidelity will be monitored. Attach any tools, scripts, or materials to be used in the intervention.

Measurement & Evaluation Planning Evaluation Plan with Data Collection Tools
Write a 2-page evaluation plan for your project. For each outcome measure, specify: instrument name, validity/reliability evidence, data source, collection method, collection frequency, and analysis approach. Attach all data collection instruments (surveys, audit tools, checklists). Ensure IRB-compliant data handling is addressed.

Timeline & Gantt Chart Development Project Gantt Chart & Implementation Timeline
Develop a comprehensive Gantt chart (using Excel, MS Project, or similar) covering all DNP Project I–III phases including: planning, IRB, stakeholder engagement, intervention delivery, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Ensure the chart extends through your program completion date. Submit with a 1-page narrative timeline explanation.

Budget & Resource Planning Project Budget Justification
Develop a projected budget for your DNP project covering all costs: personnel time, materials, training, technology, printing, and dissemination. Identify funding sources (institutional support, professional organization grants, personal funds). Write a 1-page budget justification memo aligning expenditures with project goals.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation Planning Project Risk Register
Identify at least 10 risks to your project (e.g., stakeholder resistance, IRB delays, participant recruitment, data collection failures, staff turnover). For each risk, rate probability and impact and identify a mitigation strategy. Submit as a formal risk register with a 1-page risk management narrative.

DNP Project Proposal Compilation Full Proposal Draft Submission
Compile all completed sections into a full DNP project proposal draft. The proposal should include: title page, abstract, problem statement, PICOT, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, evaluation plan, timeline, budget, and references. Submit to your faculty advisor and committee members for review. Minimum 15 pages (excluding appendices).

Proposal Defense Preparation Proposal Defense Presentation
Develop a 20-slide PowerPoint presentation summarizing your DNP project proposal. Present to your faculty committee (recorded or live). Address all committee feedback in a written response document (1–2 pages). Incorporate approved revisions into your final proposal before beginning implementation in DNP 7500.