DNP Capstone Project Implementation Timeline

Overview

This comprehensive timeline spans 15-18 months and covers all phases of a DNP capstone project from initial planning through final presentation and dissemination.

Phase 1: Project Planning & Development (Months 1-3)

Month 1: Topic Selection & Initial Planning

• Week 1-2:
  • Identify clinical problem or gap in practice
  • Conduct preliminary needs assessment
  • Meet with academic advisor and clinical mentor
• Week 3-4:
  • Refine problem statement and PICOT question
  • Begin literature search and review
  • Identify potential clinical sites

Month 2: Literature Review & Framework Development

• Week 1-2:
  • Complete comprehensive literature review
  • Synthesize evidence and identify best practices
  • Select theoretical/conceptual framework
• Week 3-4:
  • Draft project proposal outline
  • Develop preliminary methodology
  • Meet with statistician (if quantitative study)

Month 3: Proposal Finalization

• Week 1-2:
  • Complete project proposal draft
  • Develop evaluation plan and outcome measures
  • Create project timeline and budget
• Week 3-4:
  • Refine proposal based on advisor feedback
  • Prepare IRB/ethics committee submissions
  • Finalize site agreements and approvals

Phase 2: Approvals & Pre-Implementation (Months 4-6)

Month 4: Regulatory Approvals

• Week 1-2:
  • Submit IRB application
  • Obtain organizational approvals
  • Complete required training (CITI, etc.)
• Week 3-4:
  • Address IRB feedback and resubmit if needed
  • Finalize data collection instruments
  • Develop implementation protocols

Month 5: Team Building & Training

• Week 1-2:
  • Recruit and train project team members
  • Conduct stakeholder meetings
  • Develop communication plan
• Week 3-4:
  • Pilot test data collection procedures
  • Refine protocols based on pilot results
  • Prepare implementation materials

Month 6: Final Pre-Implementation

• Week 1-2:
  • Complete all regulatory approvals
  • Finalize implementation schedule
  • Conduct final team training sessions
• Week 3-4:
  • Collect baseline data (if applicable)
  • Set up data management systems
  • Launch communication to stakeholders

Phase 3: Implementation (Months 7-12)

Months 7-9: Early Implementation

• Weekly Activities:
  • Implement evidence-based intervention
  • Collect ongoing data
  • Monitor fidelity to protocol
  • Address implementation barriers
• Monthly Activities:
  • Team meetings and progress reviews
  • Data quality checks
  • Stakeholder updates
  • Protocol adjustments if needed

Months 10-12: Full Implementation & Data Collection

• Weekly Activities:
  • Continue intervention implementation
  • Maintain data collection procedures
  • Monitor participant engagement
  • Document lessons learned
• Monthly Activities:
  • Analyze interim data
  • Prepare progress reports
  • Plan sustainability strategies
  • Prepare for evaluation phase

Phase 4: Evaluation & Analysis (Months 13-15)

Month 13: Data Collection Completion

• Week 1-2:
  • Complete final data collection
  • Conduct post-intervention assessments
  • Close data collection procedures
• Week 3-4:
  • Clean and validate data
  • Prepare datasets for analysis
  • Begin preliminary analysis

Month 14: Data Analysis

• Week 1-2:
  • Conduct statistical analysis
  • Perform qualitative analysis (if applicable)
  • Interpret results in context of literature
• Week 3-4:
  • Review findings with statistical consultant
  • Prepare tables, figures, and charts
  • Begin drafting results section

Month 15: Results Synthesis

• Week 1-2:
  • Complete data analysis
  • Synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings
  • Identify implications for practice
• Week 3-4:
  • Prepare executive summary
  • Plan dissemination strategies
  • Begin final report writing

Phase 5: Reporting & Dissemination (Months 16-18)

Month 16: Final Report Preparation

• Week 1-2:
  • Draft complete final report
  • Prepare presentation materials
  • Schedule defense/presentation date
• Week 3-4:
  • Incorporate advisor feedback
  • Finalize all deliverables
  • Prepare for oral defense

Month 17: Defense & Revisions

• Week 1-2:
  • Conduct oral defense/presentation
  • Incorporate committee feedback
  • Make final revisions to report
• Week 3-4:
  • Submit final approved report
  • Plan celebration and recognition
  • Begin post-project evaluation

Month 18: Dissemination & Sustainability

• Week 1-2:
  • Present at professional conferences
  • Submit manuscripts for publication
  • Share results with stakeholders
• Week 3-4:
  • Implement sustainability plan
  • Evaluate project impact
  • Plan follow-up activities

Key Milestones & Deliverables

Major Milestones:

• Project proposal approved (Month 3)
• IRB approval obtained (Month 4)
• Implementation begins (Month 7)
• Data collection complete (Month 13)
• Data analysis complete (Month 15)
• Final defense successful (Month 17)
• Results disseminated (Month 18)

Key Deliverables:

• Project proposal
• IRB application and approvals
• Implementation protocols
• Data collection instruments
• Progress reports (monthly)
• Final project report
• Presentation materials
• Dissemination products

Critical Success Factors

Project Management:

• Regular advisor meetings (bi-weekly minimum)
• Stakeholder engagement throughout
• Risk management and mitigation planning
• Flexible timeline with buffer periods

Quality Assurance:

• Regular data quality checks
• Protocol fidelity monitoring
• Peer review of analysis
• Multiple rounds of manuscript review

Sustainability Planning:

• Early engagement with organizational leaders
• Development of standard operating procedures
• Training of permanent staff
• Integration with existing workflows

Timeline Considerations

Factors That May Extend Timeline:

• Complex IRB approval process
• Recruitment challenges
• Implementation barriers
• Data collection delays
• Analysis complexities

Acceleration Opportunities:

• Prior relationships with clinical sites
• Existing datasets or infrastructure
• Simple intervention design
• Strong organizational support
• Experienced team members

Buffer Time Recommendations:

• Add 2-4 weeks for IRB approval process
• Include 1-2 month buffer for implementation challenges
• Allow extra time for complex data analysis
• Plan for revision cycles in final reporting phase