This challenge is designed to introduce learners to the dynamic world of business and its technological aspects. Learners will engage in a real-world project, building a network for a small business. This will incorporate technical learning, where they will gain knowledge about network infrastructure, and project learning, where they will understand how to manage and execute a project from start to finish.

In this challenge, learners will be divided into teams and tasked with a real-world project: Building a Network for a Small Business. Teams will engage directly with a small business, conducting interviews and audits to understand the client’s needs. Based on the information gathered, teams will then develop and present a comprehensive network model tailored to the client’s requirements.

High level overview of tasks include:

• Interviewing with client, auditing their network & security system, and documenting needs
• Communicating business needs to the project team incl. developing project charter, timeline & milestones, SOW, outlining deliverables

• Conducting research & User Acceptance Testing
• Developing high level network model

• Provide feedback on vulnerabilities discovered to IT/Development Personnel. 
• Work with IT/Development team on ideas to fix/close (remediate) vulnerabilities.

Facilitation of Deliverables

• Statement of Work (SOW) – description of what is being build, what is needed, current state system documents, client needs (requirements), and project plan.
• Network or System Design
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) documentation – describes how the user will test & know the system is working for them based on the needs or requirements that they provided.  
• Outcomes & remediation documentation for vulnerabilities discovered.

Our team will support by providing:

• Documentation templates to the teams
• Building weekly reflection periods
• Implementing office hours between employers or educators with learners.