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SOP for MS in Engineering Management [With Free Sample SOP – 2022]

  • Post author: shruti
  • Post published: February 24, 2022
  • Post category: SOP
  • Post comments: 0 Comments

Applying for a master’s program can sometimes be an overwhelming task to tackle, and it would involve several stages of drafting, proofreading, and rectifying different sections of your SOP for MS in Engineering Management.

Your SOP for MS in Engineering Management or personal statement is an essay that you present to the selection board, where you highlight that you tell the board who you are and why you should be chosen for the specific course. This is a decisive section of your SOP that immensely impacts your selection process. You need to write an effective SOP to secure your admission to your dream college.

Being a subjective document, there is no “ideal” SOP that will secure your admission to the course. The SOP should reflect your personality and the unique traits that make you a good candidate for this course. These essential elements should be highlighted in an SOP since this paints your picture to the selection board beyond your academic records, marksheet, and other information. This is what makes an SOP different from a resume.

How to Write SOP for MS in Engineering Management

Engineering management is a popular course to which universities get many applications every year, and this makes the already challenging admission process of the course even more competitive. This is why your SOP is essential to give you an edge over other applicants and help you stand out to the selection committee. 

Writing an SOP for engineering management will require you to be well versed with the format of SOP writing and the specific needs of an SOP for engineering management. Your statement of purpose should answer the questions that the admission board will be having while reading your application. Adhering to some simple rules and tips will help you tackle the task of writing a good and convincing DOP quickly. Here are a few tips and guidelines we have for you.

SOP for Ms in Engineering management

Structure for Engineering Management SOP

To create an effective SOP that will help you secure your admission, your first task would be to rough out an outline of what you will talk about in your SOP. This will also help you adhere to the word limit, follow a chronological order while writing, and efficiently use your paragraphs.

You Can Consider Using the Following Format as The Base for Your SOP Structure-

  • Start with a relevant quote that suits the theme of your SOP. This will positively impact the reader and enhance your initial impression. Go for a simple quote by a historical figure, do not use complicated and flowery quotes.
  • In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and state what course you are applying to.
  • Include a few lines about what sparked your imagination and interest in engineering.
  • Your next paragraph can include a story or incident that inspired you to study engineering for your higher education. Make sure you do not go overboard or too personal, keep your writing brief and concise.
  • Mention your academic background in the next paragraph. This should include the projects you have undertaken during your undergraduate years, what were the essential concepts you familiarised yourself with, and what were the obstacles you overcame while working on these projects. Please also mention the national/international level awards and recognition you have received for your projects/achievements in the field.
  • Write about your professional experiences, projects, firms you have worked at, and leading people in the field you have worked under.
  • Include a paragraph about why you feel this is the right step forward in your higher education. What does a degree from the University mean for you, and what are your aspirations in life? Answering these questions is essential for you to write an informative SOP.
  • Conclude your SOP with your last remarks, stating why you feel your previous education sets the suitable base for pursuing the subject and what makes you a good candidate for the course.

Formatting your SOP can be a painstaking process, especially when you are unfamiliar with the process of writing an SOP. This is why you should consider researching thoroughly beforehand and consulting domain experts who specialize in writing SOPs. You can enquire about  Expert SOP assistance services  here to know more.

Get SOP Quote

5 Tips for Writing an Effective SOP for MS in E ngineering Management

1. steer clear of plagiarism.

Plagiarism will negatively impact your Statement of Purpose and create a wrong impression on the selection board. Therefore, using generalized templates sourced from the internet is a big no. Your best chance at securing admission is by being unique in your SOP and expressing yourself in the best way.

2. Use Active and Positive Voice

You need to maintain an active and positive voice throughout the document. Do not use overtly formal or personal language, and make sure to balance between a confident and humble tone.

3. Use Good Grammar

Make sure to use simple words, sentence structures, and paragraph order. Using fancy vocabulary will make your SOP confusing. The SOP is often read by the non-academic faculty members of the University, so make sure not to go for technical terms while explaining your projects and subject-related matter.

4. Be Honest 

Do not be afraid to mention your weaknesses; however, make sure you use the proper tone while talking about your weakness and sound bold and confident in your writing.

5. Follow a Timeline

You must follow a chronological order while writing your SOP and not go to and fro while writing. Also, make it a point not to throw in random information at places or too much information at one place.

SOP for Ms in Engineering management

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I was 14 when my life changed drastically and shaped the course of events that made me who I am today. Overnight I found myself in the Intensive Care Unit and woke up an amputee—I had lost my hand, had a titanium rod in my leg, and a few fractured bones. Though I remember my time in the hospital being dreary, I also recall what got me through that incredibly challenging period. Tied to my hospital bed for two weeks, I would spend hours observing the smooth transition of doctors’ and nurses’ shifts and how they brilliantly took over tasks without an inch of delay, the machines that surrounded my bed, and how their optimal working and availability ensured care, the system of paperwork used to track my progress, note my medical history and treatment, utterly fascinated by flawless management of all the elements of providing medical care. As an early adolescent, I couldn’t wrap my brain around how intricately each function was woven to offer the best assistance possible. In the years that passed, my fascination grew more robust, and I discovered that my true calling lay in the pursuit of a combination of acquiring both engineering and managerial acumen, the very two aspects that saved my life. 

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering from CMR University in Bangalore, India. The program extensively dove into the principles of hardware and software computing systems, imparting pivotal aspects of networking, programming, software development, and testing, and other domains of Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Data Analytics, and Big Data. During the course of my education, by virtue of an array of subjects, I developed robust knowledge and skills in the analysis, design, and evaluation of system software, utility programs, and software-hardware architectures. Along with my collegiate education, I pursued independent courses on Six Sigma, Agile, and Financial Management, amongst others, to strengthen my foundation further. 

Throughout my undergraduate study, I undertook several academic projects to implement my theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios. Amongst them, a highly prominent one was a self-driving car that aimed to reduce human exertion and accident rates, prompt a better traffic flow, follow road signs and safety measures, avoid environmental obstacles and efficiently navigate to the desired destination. Using the fundamentals of Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Computer Vision, my team and I devised a model that met our set objectives. I also worked on a project focusing on detecting a criminal’s face based on the human ability to recall minute details using Eclipse IDE, Java, and J2EE.

We built the system using an existing criminal database, where high-resolution images of the convicts were divided into different components and flashed in front of witnesses; each image connected to its respective profile and thus held the potential to serve as a vital clue in challenging investigations. In addition to the mentioned ones, I used Machine Learning and Python to build a music player that studied the emotions on your face and suggested songs accordingly, as well as created ‘Less Phone,’ an application designed to help you battle your smartphone addiction by blocking all the leisure functions of the device, leaving behind Alarm, Calculator, and call facilities, till a specified amount of time.  

Professionally, I commenced my journey under an internship at Azure Skynet. Delving into the domain of cyber security, I predominantly explored network scanning through the NMapSystem, hacking via Metasploit, MITM Attack by means of a better cap, Credential harvesting using SE Toolkit, Exploiting databases by employing the techniques of SQL Map and CrossSite Scripting. Next, I took up the role of a web development intern at Verzeo-Microsoft AEP, where I built websites and webpages before securing a Machine Learning internship at Inventron and creating a movie recommendation system using my knowledge in the field.

My last internship was at ZeroFOX/DXFactor, a cyber security firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, and dealt with the aspects of Information security, Cryptography, and Computer Forensics. Recognizing my dedication and efforts during my internship, the employers at ZeroFox offered me a full-time position as a Platform Operations Specialist. For the past month, I have been consistently fulfilling my numerous responsibilities to provide cloud-based software as a service to the organization and help them detect risks existing on digital channels and social media platforms such as phishing, malware, scams, impersonator accounts, piracy, and counterfeit, amongst others. 

As a student of technology, though I received ample exposure to the concerned facets of the industry, I need to establish a grasp on developing and establishing products in real-time scenarios and the management skills required to carry out the process optimally. I encountered this realization while I was working on a voice-controlled robot for an academic project. Despite my best efforts, I could not finish the model on time, causing a setback in finances and resources and negatively affecting my mental health. The experience impacted me considerably, and I decided to figure out the root cause of my failure.

As I became acquainted with Project Management, Operational Research, and Engineering Economics, along with participating in other projects and undertaking internships, I came across the significance of managerial acumen in the engineering field. Hence, to embark on the journey of being a professionally able individual capable of deriving the best value out of engineering processes, I concluded the pursuit of a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from XXX.

Supported by training in Design Thinking, where I explored my adroitness in designing products, I believe my intended degree would supplement my capabilities and greatly aid in fulfilling my career prospects. Equipped by the same, I aim to secure employment as a Product Manager at a reputed firm and lead my team to meet organizational goals. In the years to come, I plan to establish my own business and assist companies as a Production Lead.

My determination and strong willpower motivate me to serve as an example to people with disabilities across the world and help them recognize their potential and fight the notion that we are any less capable. To conclude, I hope that the admissions committee recognizes my passion and grants me the opportunity to actualize my aspirations. 

Download Sample SOP for MS in Engineering Management

Sample sop for ms in engineering management pdf.

Writing an SOP for your Master’s in Engineering Management can be challenging to conquer. However, you must stay focused, research extensively, and brainstorm well before writing your SOP.

And if you are looking for professional SOP writers, then you must check out our list of Top 5 Best & Professional SOP Writers in India in 2022.

Consider going through more  blogs related to SOP writing . You can also go through this detailed,  in-depth guide to writing your SOP for MS,  which will provide you with answers to further doubts you might have about SOP writing.

Get Professional SOP help today ?

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engineering business management personal statement

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  • Business Management Personal Statement Examples

Applying to business management school? You will need a strong personal statement to support your university application. Use our business management personal statement examples as a guidance to write your own. Also, make sure to check other personal statement examples for more inspiration.

Business Management Personal Statement Example

The key to any successful business is good management. In order to adapt to the constant shifts of the global economy, businesses must apply methodical reasoning to people, processes, and technology. I have demonstrated a similarly flexible, adaptable approach to achieving my goals as a mature student with strong academic achievement in Administration and IT and extensive employment experience.

As soon as I graduated from school, I began working. However, as my desire to return to study grew, I combined my work experience with study to earn HNC and HND qualifications in Administration and IT. The IT component of this course has particularly intrigued me because of my interest in how technological processes impact business. It has also been fascinating to learn the theory behind the administrative and organizational practices I have implemented and observed throughout the years.

My experience as a news agent’s kid has given me hands-on experience in both financial and personnel management, including customer service, stock management, and liaising with suppliers. Having always been involved with business and management within the industry, it was perhaps not surprising when I decided to gain more experience in retail. In order to allow my passions for both the technological and financial aspects of these roles to flourish, I sought out experiences that allowed these passions to flourish. I used my expertise in providing excellent customer service while working as a Telephone Banking Advisor for Porta Wealth Management to counsel clients on the best services, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of various products in relation to their needs. Additionally, I was in charge of looking after databases, working on banking policies, and implementing rules set forth by the FSA. Moving between small, local firms and multinationals has allowed me to study the differences in administration and management, as well as how technology affects these.

As an ambitious student with a keen interest in business and management, I am constantly seeking out new ways to further my understanding and skill set. In my spare time, I delve into a diverse array of management techniques and put them into practice in both my personal and professional life, allowing me to achieve my goals and aspirations. One of the most prominent examples of this is my leadership experience as the Treasurer, and later the Chairperson, of my local Women’s Power Business Group. In this role, I have been actively involved in a variety of volunteer and fundraising initiatives, as well as organizing workshops to support isolated or vulnerable women and their children in my community. Not only has this role given me the fulfilment of making a difference, but it has also provided me with invaluable experience in implementing leadership, teamwork and administration skills in a real-world setting. I have also been able to infuse my other passions, such as my love for walking, by initiating annual sponsored events like a 5K walk for Breast Cancer Research. This unique blend of my interests and skills has allowed me to develop a well-rounded perspective and provided me with a valuable learning experience.

Having a natural inclination toward the management of people and processes as a persistent self-starter with a drive for improvement. As a result of consistently reflecting on myself in my studies and work, I have been able to identify areas for improvement and think critically about my own performance. In my undergraduate studies, I have not only honed this natural tendency but also gained knowledge on technology integration, which I believe will be crucial in the business world of the future. After graduation, I hope to utilize this knowledge and ability to make a significant impact. I’m determined to make a real impact in the business world, whether I start my own company or take on a key role within a larger organization.

Management Personal Statement Example

Being a very determined and studious individual academically, I knew a university degree was an obvious next step. In spite of my broad interests, I am drawn toward a law or business management degree. As far as Business is concerned, I chose it because of its complexity and intrigue. Management blends so seamlessly with everyday issues that I particularly enjoy. In taking the subject at A-Level, my interest has grown and matured, and I can view many businesses analytically and make suggestions regarding improvements. Law is an area which has interested me from an early age. I am an avid reader and believe that this habit is crucial when it comes to pursuing a career in law. I feel that my attributes make me an ideal candidate for the field as I possess a keen attention to detail and am intrigued by work that deals with contemporary social issues and the need to analyze and present evidence effectively. Additionally, I believe that the psychology coursework I have completed has helped me understand how people’s perspectives and recollections can be influenced by various factors. This type of work demands a certain level of self-assurance, which I am confident that I possess and can leverage to excel in the competitive sphere of law.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a diverse range of roles and environments, and this has helped me develop a broad range of skills. However, among all the experiences, I’ve had the privilege to work for Royal Worcester in the Debenhams store which I believe has been the most formative of all. Being a sales advisor in such a high-end company has taught me to have a self-assured demeanour, and I have also had to cultivate a good memory to be able to provide customers with accurate product knowledge.

Additionally, I was assigned the duty of training a new employee, demonstrating the great level of confidence my employers have in me.

From holding the role of form captain in secondary school to helping with the planning of large-scale festivities in college, my educational experiences have been quite useful to me. These kinds of responsibilities have enabled me to grow up and take my roles seriously, earning the respect of my coworkers. As English Prefect in Year 11, I was responsible for supporting the entire English department, which took up a significant amount of my time. I also had a piece I wrote against the mistreatment of women on French television published in the daily “Paris Local News” as a result of my interest in the French language. I was pleased to have my opinions represented.

I have always been passionate about languages and during secondary school, I took evening French classes. My dedication and hard work were recognized when I received the ‘The Best Student of the Year’ award for my outstanding performance. These classes required me to manage my time effectively, so my schoolwork did not suffer. Furthermore, being raised by German and French parents has helped me to achieve fluency in the language.

Aside from languages, sports and leisure activities have always been an interest of mine. In college, I used this passion to do charity work and raise money for ZBIN. One of my accomplishments includes raising £1050 and abseiling 120ft down London University. 

Additionally, I played netball for the local Netball Team and competed in the OGI UK Games for the Wembley Stallions AFC team. My performance was recognized with several trophies, as well as a gold and bronze medal in the long jump and javelin respectively.

How to write specific paragraphs of your statement:

I have always been fascinated by business and the way that companies and large organisations work. From my first steps, I have been an entrepreneur at heart, always finding ways to make a little extra money selling lemonade at the promenade or starting school projects. With my personal development, my interest in business has only intensified, and I have come to realise that business management is something I want to study at school. Read more in management personal statement examples .

I believe that a business management degree will open many doors for me and provide me with the flexibility to pursue a wide range of career paths. Whether I decide to start my own business or join an established company, I know that the skills and knowledge I gain will be invaluable. 

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  • FindAMasters
  • Business Management Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Hannah Slack

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Business Management. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

Businesses have been instrumental in building our modern way of living. The versatility and innovation of business quickly captured my attention when I started my first job, and my interest has only continued to grow. Having undertaken various work experience roles and achieved a 2.1 in my undergraduate degree, I intend to further my education through a Masters. My main interests lie in strategic management and marketing as I enjoy learning new methods for existing and succeeding in an increasingly globalised market.

I have always been a self-motivated worker who is not afraid of a challenge. I am particularly drawn to management and marketing roles as they are often fast paced environments, involving different tasks and decisions each day. They also allow for a healthy balance between both independent and group work, which I believe is vital to running a successful business with engaged staff. My undergraduate work placement in an international marketing company enabled me to first-hand experience the fast-paced and efficient work style of successfully competing companies. I was also able to understand more about how to plan and manage a large staff force to make sure the business can perform and compete at optimum levels. Furthermore, last year I had a part-time job in a small local business which enabled me to learn and develop valuable skills in growth and future planning which are vital during the early stages of a young business.

In addition to my qualifications and work experience, I am a keen basketball player and often represent my club at the local leagues. Both my successes and failures in sporting competitions demonstrate my constant desire to improve and my determination to continue even in times of failure. I have also had the opportunity of being a team captain and coaching younger league games. Both roles allowed me to develop my leadership and strategy planning skills.

I am applying to your university because it offered the best array of modules for me to both improve my knowledge in my current interests and explore new areas of Business Management I am less familiar with. I was also particularly impressed by the wide array of connections the department has that will guarantee each student an invaluable work experience opportunity. I believe that your university will be the best institution to take my education to the next level and enable me to compete effectively as a strong candidate after graduation.

I think that I will be an excellent fit for your department as I enjoy involving myself in extracurricular activities. I am therefore excited to apply for leadership roles in the some of the postgraduate clubs and organisations the department offers. And, if the opportunity presents itself, I would be interested in creating and running my own project with my fellow peers.

Master Business Management - Digital Business Management

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If you're interested in a studying Business, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Business Management Masters courses .

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Hannah Slack

Hannah worked at FindAMasters as a Content Writer from 2020 to 2023. She started with us part-time whilst studying for her PhD, giving her personal experience with balancing work responsibilities with academia. Hannah has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of East Anglia, and both a Masters in Early Modern History and a PhD on Early Modern English seafarers from the University of Sheffield.

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Personal Statement for Engineering: Examples and Advice

In this article, we look at how to write a personal statement for engineering courses with examples and advice.

A roller coaster helped one student to decide to specialise in engineering, and her experience in coaching younger students helped her application.

Why did a student volunteering in Mississippi decide to study structural engineering? How much of your family history should you add in? Keep reading for useful tips and great examples.

Table of Contents

What is a personal statement for engineering, how to write an engineering personal statement, engineering personal statement example 1 – structural engineering, engineering personal statement example 2 – general engineering, engineering personal statement example 3 – marine engineering, faq (frequently asked questions), more personal statement tutorials.

It’s an important document used by universities to evaluate a student’s strengths, skills, experience and ambitions.

It is also used to show a student’s enthusiasm for engineering (either in general, or for a specific type such as civil or aeronautical), and what aspects of the subject they enjoy and why.

It is essential for an applicant to craft a 100% unique, yet effective personal statement as it allows universities to make an informed decision on who to admit to their engineering course.

Step 1: Start with your proudest achievement

Volunteering to help construct houses in Mississippi through Habitat for Humanity was a life-changing experience that made me want to become a structural engineer.

Starting with your proudest achievement in your engineering personal statement can help make your application stand out.

By mentioning your most impressive achievements first, the admissions committee will be able to quickly recognize your capabilities, dedication, and skills.

Step 2: Describe your ambitions and experience

In an engineering personal statement, it is important to clearly explain your ambitions and experiences that demonstrate your skills and passion for the field.

A good framework to follow is to first explain your motivation and enthusiasm for the course, and provide examples of any specific knowledge you already have.

Then, outline any relevant experience, insights, interests or achievements you have that relate to engineering, starting with the most impressive.

Step 3: Show evidence of being capable, by describing a project in depth

When writing a personal statement for engineering, it’s important to showcase your capabilities (skills) and qualifications to potential admissions committees or employers. Here are a few tips to help you demonstrate your capabilities in your personal statement:

  • Highlight your technical skills: As an engineer, you will need to have a strong foundation in technical skills. Make sure to list the technical skills you possess and provide examples of how you have used them in your past experiences.
  • Showcase your academic achievements: Highlight your academic achievements, including your GPA and any awards or honours you have received. This demonstrates that you have a strong academic foundation and are capable of handling challenging coursework.
  • Discuss relevant work experience: If you have relevant work experience in engineering, make sure to discuss it in your personal statement. Highlight any projects you have worked on, problems you have solved, or skills you have developed in your previous roles.
  • Emphasize your problem-solving skills: Engineers are problem solvers, so make sure to emphasize your ability to analyze and solve problems. Provide examples of how you have approached problems in the past and the steps you took to solve them. These can include time management, teamwork, or leadership

By focusing on one project and exploring it in depth, you can demonstrate your understanding of the subject and show that you are ready and committed to study engineering.

Step 4: Leave out (most of) your family history

Growing up, it was my job to fix anything that broke around the house. My father, a third-generation oil rig supervisor, was often away for months at a time and he taught me resilience and problem-solving along with practical DIY.

Why is it important to leave out (most of) your family history in an engineering personal statement?

The personal statement is an opportunity to tell a university or college about yourself and why you are a suitable candidate for the program.

Every word you spend writing about your family’s history and experiences is a word that you’re not using to tell the university about your own achievements, plans and passions.

Your family’s history and experiences may be influential on your choice of course, but keep it very brief – less than a sentence, to give a bit more context to your achievements, plans and aspirations.

By doing so, you can demonstrate to the university that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed in their program.

Step 5: Include your hobbies

While hobbies may not be directly related to engineering, they can still be included in your personal statement to showcase your personality, interests, and skills.

Here are some tips on how to effectively include hobbies in your engineering personal statement:

  • Choose relevant hobbies: Make sure to choose those that are relevant to your engineering career or showcase your technical or problem-solving skills. For example, if you enjoy building and programming robots as a hobby, you could mention this as evidence of your technical skills.
  • Explain how your hobbies relate to your engineering goals: For example, if you enjoy designing and building furniture as a hobby, you could mention how this has honed your ability to create complex designs, which could be applicable to engineering projects.
  • Showcase your teamwork and leadership skills: If you participate in team sports or volunteer in leadership roles, make sure to mention this in your personal statement.
  • Avoid irrelevant or controversial hobbies: I f you enjoy partying or binge-watching TV shows, these hobbies may not be seen as relevant or professional.

Overall, including hobbies in your engineering personal statement can help the panel to get to know you a bit better and showcase your skills and interests beyond your academic achievements and work experience.

Step 6: Edit and proofread your statement

Editing and proofreading your engineering personal statement is an important part of the application process. To ensure your statement is professional and free of errors, follow these tips:

  • Read your statement aloud slowly to catch any minor spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Ask a friend or colleague to read it for you and provide feedback.
  • Analyze your document with an online application to provide suggestions for improvement.
  • Have a mentor, professor, or trusted friend look it over before you submit it.
  • Make sure you dedicate enough time to the process by planning ahead and leaving time for editing and proofreading.
  • Be truthful and concise, and ensure it is 100% unique.
  • Avoid including unrelated information, maintain your professionalism, and make it a reflection of yourself.

By following these tips, you can make sure your engineering personal statement is as polished and professional as possible.

Growing up, it was my job to fix anything that broke around the house. My father, a third-generation oil-rig supervisor, was often away for months at a time and he taught me resilience and problem-solving along with practical DIY.

Volunteering to help construct houses in Mississippi through Habitat for Humanity was a life-changing experience. I worked with a group that included veterans being trained in construction skills and volunteers from all over the country. I saw first-hand how important it is to have a safe, well-run construction site and communicate clear expectations to the whole team.

As a result of an incredible team effort, families are able to transition from temporary, unsafe accommodation to having their own homes. I want to combine my love of construction, design and problem-solving in a career that makes a positive difference to people.

Already drawn to civil engineering, my fascination with designing made me want to become a structural engineer, specifically to design buildings. Majoring in structural engineering will allow me to further develop my IT skills by using computer-aided design technology, which I have been fortunate enough to learn to use during an internship with a local company this summer. I am already confident with using the AutoCAD program.

My time-management skills have been honed this year as I have combined volunteering, my internship and working 16 hours a week on a local construction crew to save for college while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. I am confident that I am well able to handle any workload asked of me.

I am highly analytical and can approach a problem from several angles. I am particularly drawn to your structural engineering program because of its reputation for hands-on, practical experience. I am confident that I will be a positive addition to the team and your program will provide me with the skills and experience I need to achieve my dream of becoming an outstanding structural engineer.

I am excited by the prospect of applying fundamental principles to real-world design challenges. Of all things, it was the mechanics of roller coasters, which I learned about in a lecture, that highlighted the practical applications of engineering principles and sparked my interest in pursuing a career in this field.

Studying engineering has always appealed to me because of its heavy reliance on problem-solving and its integration of two of my favourite subjects, Math and Science. The ability to apply logical reasoning to create solutions to complex problems is what attracts me to engineering as well as the huge range of specialisms to choose from further down the road.

My academic background has prepared me well for a degree in engineering. I have excelled in my Math and Science coursework, receiving high grades in all of my relevant subjects. I have also participated in extracurricular activities, such as robotics competitions and science fairs, where I have had the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills in practical settings while mentoring and coaching younger students.

I am eager to pursue a degree in engineering to further develop my problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of the principles and concepts that underpin this field. I believe that a degree in engineering will enable me to make a positive impact on society by contributing to the design and development of innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, in a field in which women are still under-represented.

In addition to my academic and extracurricular experiences, I bring a strong work ethic, determination, and a passion for learning to my studies. I am confident that my skills, combined with the resources and opportunities provided by your engineering program, will enable me to excel in my studies and make meaningful contributions to the field.

I look forward to the opportunity to pursue a degree in engineering and whether I will be designing roller coasters or factory equipment, I will be making a positive difference in the future and hopefully, inspiring other young women to become engineers.

As an aspiring engineer, I am driven by the opportunity to apply fundamental principles to the design of complex systems. With a fascination for engineering plants and an interest in the sea, I have been drawn to the marine industry as a way to combine my passions with the challenge of problem-solving.

I have chosen a major in marine engineering because it will allow me to further explore the fascinating findings of physics and put my mathematical knowledge into practical application. It is my ambition to work in the submarine design industry and gain Chartered Engineer status, and I believe that pursuing a graduate degree in marine engineering will help me achieve these goals.

Throughout my academic and professional career, I have demonstrated a strong work ethic, determination, and a passion for learning. I have excelled in my coursework and participated in research projects, internships, and other extracurricular activities that have allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills in practical settings.

My own experience in the marine industry has given me a unique perspective on engineering and the challenges of designing complex systems in a dynamic environment. As a mature student, I am excited by the opportunity to further develop my skills and knowledge in a graduate engineering program and to apply these to real-world challenges in my chosen field.

I am particularly drawn to your graduate engineering program because of its reputation for academic excellence and its focus on hands-on, practical experience as well as strong links with the outstanding teams at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyards. I am confident that your program will provide me with the resources and opportunities I need to achieve my goals and make meaningful contributions to the engineering industry.

In conclusion, I am passionate about engineering and am committed to pursuing a career in this field. I am excited about the prospect of joining your graduate engineering program and am eager to continue developing my skills and knowledge in this dynamic and challenging field. Thank you for considering my application.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version

What are the key components of a personal statement for engineering?

The key components of a personal statement for engineering include:

  • expressing your enthusiasm for engineering
  • conveying your strengths, skills, experience and ambitions
  • being truthful, concise, and authentic
  • providing specific examples of your interests, goals, and strengths.

Additionally, you should explain why you want to study engineering at the university level, back up everything with examples, and have a good introduction, middle, and conclusion. Finally, be sure to save time for editing and proofreading the statement.

What qualifications should I include in my personal statement for engineering?

In your engineering personal statement, you should include qualifications that are related to engineering as well as other academic or practical qualifications, such as project management.

What skills should I demonstrate in my personal statement for engineering?

In your personal statement for engineering, you should aim to demonstrate a range of skills that are important for success in this field. Some of the key skills that you may want to highlight include:

  • Problem-solving: Engineering is all about solving problems and coming up with creative solutions to complex challenges.
  • Technical knowledge: Engineering is a technical field, and it is important to demonstrate that you have a strong foundation in math, science, and other related subjects.
  • Communication: Engineering often involves working in teams and communicating complex ideas clearly to a range of stakeholders.
  • Creativity: While engineering is a technical field, it also requires a certain level of creativity and innovation. Highlight any projects or activities that have allowed you to demonstrate your creativity or come up with innovative solutions to problems.
  • Leadership: As you progress in your engineering career, you may be called upon to lead teams or manage projects. Show that you have leadership potential and are able to work effectively with others.
  • Adaptability : Engineering is a dynamic and ever-changing field, and it is important to demonstrate that you are adaptable and can handle uncertainty and change calmly and flexibly.

How should I structure my personal statement for engineering?

Writing a successful engineering personal statement can seem like a daunting task. But by breaking it down into smaller steps, you can make the process much easier. To get started, here are some steps you can take to structure your engineering personal statement:

  • Start with an introduction: This should take up about 15-20% of your statement and answer the question “Why do you want to study engineering?” Talk about the experiences that shaped your love of the subject and the things about it that you find interesting.
  • Add in body paragraphs: In these paragraphs, address questions such as “What have you done that has prepared you for this course?” “How have you cultivated the knowledge you need to succeed in this field?,” and “Did you receive high marks in the classes relevant to an engineering course?”
  • End with a conclusion: Here you’ll sum up your personal statement and bring it to a close. Include any other extracurricular activities that might not be directly related to engineering, but are impressive enough that you want the admissions team to know about them.

What should I do to make my personal statement for engineering stand out?

To make your engineering personal statement stand out, follow these steps:

  • Be truthful, concise, and authentic. Avoid plagiarism and cheating.
  • Start your statement by explaining why you want to study engineering and which aspects of the field you enjoy.
  • Back up everything with examples.
  • Write your statement clearly and concisely, with a good introduction, middle, and conclusion.
  • Take inspiration from engineering personal statement examples, but make sure yours is unique.

How do I avoid plagiarism in my personal statement for engineering?

In order to ensure that your engineering personal statement is completely original, here are some steps to take to avoid plagiarism:

  • Research: Spend some time researching engineering topics and schools before writing your statement. This will help you to get a better understanding of the field and come up with unique points and ideas.
  • Brainstorm: Take the time to brainstorm some ideas for your statement before putting your pen to paper. This will help you to come up with unique ideas, rather than using someone else’s.
  • Outline: Create an outline for your statement that includes all of the points that you want to make. This will help you to stay organized and make sure that your statement flows naturally.
  • Write: Once you have your outline and research, start writing your engineering personal statement. Be sure to use your own words and phrase each sentence the way you would say it.
  • Check: Once you have finished your statement, it is important to double-check that all of your words and phrases are unique. Use a plagiarism checker (such as this one) to make sure that there are no similarities to any other statement.
  • Proofread: Finally, make sure to dedicate enough time to the editing and proofreading stages after you have finished your first draft. This will help to ensure that there are no errors or mistakes in your statement.

By following these steps, you can be sure that your engineering personal statement is unique and free from plagiarism. Remember to be truthful, concise, authentic, and professional when writing your statement. Good luck!

What should I research when writing my personal statement for engineering?

When writing your personal statement for engineering, it is important to conduct thorough research to ensure that you are able to tailor your statement to the specific program or institution you are applying to. Some areas to research include:

  • Curriculum: Look into the specific courses and areas of focus within the engineering program. This can help you highlight relevant coursework or projects you have completed that align with the program’s focus.
  • Faculty and research: Look into the faculty members within the engineering program and their areas of expertise. This can help you tailor your personal statement to align with specific research areas or interests within the program.
  • Industry partnerships and internships: Look into any partnerships the program may have with industry organizations or companies, as well as any internship or co-op opportunities offered through the program. This can help you highlight any relevant industry experience you may have and demonstrate your interest in pursuing practical experience in the field.
  • University values and culture: Research the university’s overall mission and values, as well as the culture of the campus community. This can help you tailor your personal statement to demonstrate your fit with the university and program culture.

By conducting thorough research on these areas, you can tailor your personal statement to align with the specific program and institution you are applying to, demonstrating your interest and fit for the program.

How can I check my personal statement for engineering for errors?

Checking your engineering personal statement for errors is an important step in the application process. You should:

  • Read your statement aloud to catch any minor spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Ask a friend, colleague, or mentor to read your statement and provide feedback.
  • Use online applications to analyze the document and suggest improvements.
  • Seek advice from a careers centre or advisor to help polish the statement.
  • mxddasasProofread and edit the statement multiple times.

By following these steps, you can ensure your engineering personal statement is professional and error-free before submitting your application materials.

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University of Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement Writing Tips

Engineering Oxbridge Personal Statement

Last updated: 13 October 2023

Your University of Cambridge engineering personal statement is your chance to shine, to show your passion for engineering, and to demonstrate why you're the ideal candidate. In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide, offering more in-depth insights into creating a standout Cambridge Engineering personal statement.

Before you apply

To get into Cambridge's engineering MEng programme, you should be a candidate with a solid foundation in engineering principles who can showcase their abilities both academically and passionately. Research Cambridge's achievements in engineering and mention them to show your interest. Learn more about key dos and don't and contact SI-UK today to begin your application.

Contact SI-UK about your application

Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

Five recommendations, 1. reflect on experiences.

Listing your experiences is just the beginning; you must also reflect on them. Explain how each experience nurtured your interest in engineering or equipped you with valuable skills.

Let's say you were part of a high school engineering club where you built a working model of a renewable energy system. Don't stop at merely stating the achievement. Reflect on how this experience deepened your passion for engineering, what challenges you encountered during the project, and how you overcame them.

2. Emphasise your passion

Your personal statement should exude your passion for engineering. It's not enough to say you're interested; you must explain why. Start by reflecting on what specifically draws you to engineering. Is it the prospect of designing innovative solutions to real-world problems? Is it the fascination with how technology shapes our lives? Is there a particular aspect of engineering, such as civil, electrical, or mechanical, that enthrals you?

Share personal experiences or moments that ignited your interest. Maybe you participated in a robotics competition that opened your eyes to the endless possibilities of automation. A visit to an engineering firm inspired you with its cutting-edge projects.

3. Showcase relevant qualities

Cambridge seeks students who are a perfect fit for their engineering course. To stand out, you must demonstrate that you possess qualities, skills, or traits that align with this ideal.

For instance, engineering demands strong analytical skills. To prove you possess these skills, mention creative problem-solving competitions you've participated in and won. Share anecdotes of how your analytical thinking helped you tackle complex challenges.

Another valuable trait in engineering is perseverance. Research projects often involve facing setbacks and challenges. If you've been part of such a project, talk about how you persevered and remained committed despite difficulties. Provide concrete examples of how this experience enhanced your resilience.

4. Demonstrate depth of knowledge

Engineering is a field that demands a strong intellectual foundation. While you don't need to be an expert, your personal statement should convey that you're well-read and intellectually curious about engineering. This demonstrates your readiness for the academic challenges ahead.

One way to do this is by exploring Cambridge Engineering reading lists. These lists are curated by experts and provide valuable insights into the recommended literature for aspiring engineers. They are a goldmine of information and can help you discover key texts that can enhance your understanding of the subject.

Moreover, don't limit yourself to books. Engage with various media formats, such as magazine columns, news articles, podcasts, and documentaries related to engineering. This broadens your knowledge and shows you are comfortable absorbing information from diverse sources.

5. Start early and proofread

A rushed personal statement is unlikely to do justice to your qualifications and aspirations. Begin the process early, allowing ample time for revisions and improvements.

As you revise your statement, consider seeking feedback from seniors, teachers, or friends. They can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement. Their fresh perspectives can highlight aspects of your personal statement that need clarification or expansion. When enlisting others to review your statement, exercise caution to avoid potential plagiarism issues. It's advisable not to share your statement to prevent any complications widely.

Five things to avoid

1. lack of structure.

Your personal statement should have a clear and organised structure. Begin with an engaging introduction that briefly conveys your interest in engineering. This introduction should serve as a hook to capture the reader's attention.

Follow up with well-structured body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your interest in engineering or a particular quality or skill you possess. Keep each paragraph focused on one major theme to maintain clarity and coherence. Conclude your personal statement by summarising the key takeaways you want the admissions tutors to remember. This final section should leave a lasting impression and reinforce your passion and qualifications.

2. Misguided understanding

Conduct thorough research into Cambridge's engineering course; delve into the curriculum, faculty expertise, and unique aspects of the programme. Mention specific aspects of the course that intrigue you. This demonstrates that you've invested time and effort into understanding what Cambridge offers and why it's your top choice for engineering.

3. Complex language

While a rich vocabulary can enhance your writing, avoid excessive use of complex language. Prioritise clarity and readability above all else. If you encounter an unfamiliar word, opt for a simpler, more accessible explanation. The main goal of your personal statement is to convey your thoughts and ideas to the admissions tutors effectively.

Cambridge itself emphasises the use of clear, plain English in personal statements. This means that clarity and coherence are highly valued.

4. Sweeping statements

Steer clear of vague, sweeping statements that lack substance. For example, stating that you're a great analytical thinker sounds promising but adds zero value if you don't provide evidence or context. Instead of making broad claims, focus on specific instances where you've demonstrated these qualities. Share concrete examples, such as your participation in analytical competitions or real-world scenarios where your analytical thinking made a difference.

5. Unrealistic reflections

Reflection is key to a great personal statement, but it should be authentic and realistic. Avoid attempting to convey too many ideas from a single experience. Each experience should emphasise one key quality or lesson learned.

For instance, if you discuss your participation in a national debate competition, focus on how it improved your public speaking and critical thinking skills. Attributing multiple qualities to a single experience can dilute your message and make your personal statement less effective.

Crafting Your Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

Crafting a compelling Cambridge engineering personal statement is no small feat, but it's vital in securing a place at one of the world's most renowned engineering programmes. Keep these tips in mind as you write and revise your statement, and remember that your personal story and passion for engineering are what will set you apart from the rest of the applicants.

Cambridge Engineering FAQ

Can i send the same personal statement to multiple universities.

Yes, you can use the same personal statement for different universities when applying through UCAS, but it's a good idea to tailor parts of it to each university's course or requirements to make it more relevant.

What A-level is best for engineering at Cambridge?

Taking A-levels in subjects like mathematics and physics is often recommended for engineering at Cambridge. These subjects provide a strong foundation for engineering studies.

Why do people want to study at Cambridge?

People want to study at Cambridge because it's one of the world's top universities known for its high-quality education, expert professors, and access to cutting-edge research. It offers a prestigious learning environment and great opportunities.

Is Cambridge a good engineering school?

Cambridge is considered one of the best engineering schools globally. It has a strong reputation for its engineering programmes, excellent faculty, and research facilities, making it a top choice for engineering students.

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Last Updated: 13 October 2023

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How to provide evidence

You will need to be enthusiastic about engineering and show evidence of this in the personal statement is the simple advice from University of Dundee. So, here are some ideas on how to do this:

  • Work or extracurricular experiences: This doesn't necessarily have to be directly in an engineering field. Try and give examples of things you've done that highlight your technical aptitude, teamwork skills, leadership, or problem-solving abilities. Similarly, reflect on any extracurricular achievements that demonstrate good time management and self-organisation.
  • Relevant skills: Admissions tutors are looking for creative people with initiative, curiosity, and a bit of originality. So, if you’re interested in how things work, sketching new ideas, or taking things apart and repairing them, include this here. Perhaps you’ve taught yourself to code or made your own burglar alarm? Reflect on what you learned or the skills you developed.
  • Extra reading: Include any examples of things you've read that have influenced your interest in engineering. Don't just list them though – elaborate on one or two specific issues you read about recently and the impact it made on you.
  • Your future plans: If you have a particular goal in mind, then mention what you plan to do with your engineering degree, whether it’s your long-term career aspirations or just your ambition to make the world a better place.
  • Course suitability: Engineering is a challenging discipline, so demonstrate that you have the ability and motivation to complete the course.

What not to do

  • Don’t be irrelevant: The University of Bath says, 'The best engineers have a wide range of interests… but don’t let important information about yourself be buried in irrelevant detail'.
  • Don’t say ‘when I was a child’: An admissions tutor doesn't want to know that the first word you ever uttered was 'hydraulics', or that you played with lego as a child. What you did recently is much more relevant than what you did when you were six.
  • Don’t list interests or experiences without reflecting on them: It’s not enough just to say 'I have always been interested in X, Y and Z...'. Instead, describe a work experience placement, project or piece of coursework you did and explain what you found interesting or challenging about it (and why).
  • Don’t ignore key advice: Check out the department websites of the universities you're applying to, as some explain what they're looking for in an engineering personal statement. Each engineering degree course at the University of Bristol, for instance, has its own list of requirements - starting with leadership for its engineering design degree.

Structuring your statement

As well as relevant detail, Dr Will Whittow from the The Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University wants to see a statement that is properly structured. This way you’ll clearly promote your skills and showcase your technical experience.

There are no cast-iron rules about the structure, but we’ve taken some tips from Dr Whittow to draw up a framework you could use:

  • Your motivation: In your first paragraph, explain your motivation and why you’re enthusiastic about the course, giving specific examples of what interests you and a glimpse of any specific knowledge you already have.
  • Mention your career ambitions too:  Just don’t waste space listing your A level subjects, telling them what an engineer does, or starting with a quote ‘Ever since I was a child…’.
  • Your relevant insights or experience: In your second and third paragraphs, show your passion by providing evidence of what you’ve learned from any relevant experience, insights, interests or achievements, starting with your strongest point. This will be all the more impressive if it was outside of school or college, like relevant work experience, engineering taster days or CREST Awards. Commenting on what you’ve learned from your EPQ or a similar school or college project would fit well here too, but it really needs to be relevant.
  • Your transferrable skills: In your final paragraph mention anything else that takes up a lot of your time, like a part-time job, caring for a family member, or other interests, responsibilities or extracurricular activities. But draw out the transferable skills you’ve learned from them, like time management, teamwork or leadership. And be specific. Just saying you play badminton or took the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award means nothing – either say something interesting about it that provides relevant evidence or, better still, choose something that not so many people do.

Just like Southampton's Admissions Tutor advised in the quote, try to show a bit of spark and talk about something a bit different from everyone else.

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Chapter 10: MoSCoW Prioritisation

Previous  chapter: 9  Workshops

10.1 Introduction

In a DSDM project where time has been fixed, it is vital to understand the relative importance of the work to be done in order to make progress and keep to deadlines. Prioritisation can be applied to requirements/User Stories, tasks, products, use cases, acceptance criteria and tests, although it is most commonly applied to requirements/ User Stories. (User Stories are a very effective way of defining requirements in an Agile style; see later chapter on Requirements and User Stories for more information.) MoSCoW is a prioritisation technique for helping to understand and manage priorities. The letters stand for:

  • S hould Have
  • C ould Have
  • W on’t Have this time

The use of MoSCoW works particularly well on projects. It also overcomes the problems associated with simpler prioritisation approaches which are based on relative priorities:

  • The use of a simple high, medium or low classification is weaker because definitions of these priorities are missing or need to be defined. Nor does this categorization provide the business with a clear promise of what to expect. A categorisation with a single middle option, such as medium, also allows for indecision
  • The use of a simple sequential 1,2,3,4… priority is weaker because it deals less effectively with items of similar importance. There may be prolonged and heated discussions over whether an item should be one place higher or lower

The specific use of Must Have, Should Have, Could Have or Won’t Have this time provides a clear indication of that item and the expectations for its completion.  

10.2 The MoSCoW Rules

10.2.1 Must Have

These provide the Minimum Usable SubseT (MUST) of requirements which the project guarantees to deliver. These may be defined using some of the following:

  • No point in delivering on target date without this; if it were not delivered, there would be no point deploying the solution on the intended date
  • Not legal without it
  • Unsafe without it
  • Cannot deliver a viable solution without it

Ask the question ‘what happens if this requirement is not met?’ If the answer is ‘cancel the project – there is no point in implementing a solution that does not meet this requirement’, then it is a Must Have requirement. If there is some way around it, even if it is a manual and painful workaround, then it is a Should Have or a Could Have requirement. Categorising a requirement as a Should Have or Could Have does not mean it won’t be delivered; simply that delivery is not guaranteed.  

10.2.2 Should Have

Should Have requirements are defined as:

  • Important but not vital
  • May be painful to leave out, but the solution is still viable
  • May need some kind of workaround, e.g. management of expectations, some inefficiency, an existing solution, paperwork etc. The workaround may be just a temporary one

One way of differentiating a Should Have requirement from a Could Have is by reviewing the degree of pain caused by the requirement not being met, measured in terms of business value or numbers of people affected.  

10.2.3 Could Have

Could Have requirements are defined as:

  • Wanted or desirable but less important
  • Less impact if left out (compared with a Should Have)

These are the requirements that provide the main pool of contingency, since they would only be delivered in their entirety in a best case scenario. When a problem occurs and the deadline is at risk, one or more of the Could haves provide the first choice of what is to be dropped from this timeframe.  

10.2.4 Won’t Have this time

These are requirements which the project team has agreed will not be delivered (as part of this timeframe). They are recorded in the Prioritised Requirements List where they help clarify the scope of the project. This avoids them being informally reintroduced at a later date. This also helps to manage expectations that some requirements will simply not make it into the Deployed Solution, at least not this time around. Won’t Haves can be very powerful in keeping the focus at this point in time on the more important Could Haves, Should Haves and particularly the Must Haves.

10.3 MoSCoW Relating to a Specific Timeframe

In a traditional project, all requirements are treated as Must Have, since the expectation is set from the start that everything will be delivered and that typically time (the end date) will slip if problems are encountered. DSDM projects have a very different approach; fixing time, cost and quality and negotiating features. By the end of Foundations, the end dates for the project and for the first Project Increment are confirmed. In order to meet this commitment to the deadline, DSDM projects need to create contingency within the prioritised requirements. Therefore the primary focus initially is to create MoSCoW priorities for the project. However, when deciding what to deliver as part of the Project Increment, the next focus will be to agree MoSCoW priorities for that Increment. So at this point, a requirement may have two priorities; MoSCoW for the project and MoSCoW for the Increment. Finally, when planning a specific Timebox (at the start of each Timebox) the Solution Development Team will allocate a specific priority for the requirements for this Timebox. At this point, the majority of requirements are Won’t Have (for this Timebox). Only requirements that the Solution Development Team plan to work on in the development timebox are allocated a Must Have, Should Have or Could Have priority. Therefore requirements may have three levels of priority:

  • MoSCoW for the project
  • MoSCoW for the Project Increment
  • MoSCoW for this Timebox

For example:

Even if a Must Have requirement for an IT solution is the facility to archive old data, it is very likely that the solution could be used effectively for a few months without this facility being in place. In this case, it is sensible to make the archive facility a Should Have or a Could Have for the first Project Increment even though delivery of this facility is a Must Have before the end of the project. Similarly, a Must Have requirement for a Project Increment may be included as a Should Have or a Could Have (or a Won't Have) for an early Timebox.

It is important that the bigger picture objectives (completion of the Project Increment and delivery of the project) are not forgotten when working at the Timebox level. One simple way to deal with this is to create a separate Timebox PRL, a subset of the project PRL that is specifically associated with an individual Timebox and leave the priorities unchanged on the main PRL for the project.  

10.4 Ensuring effective prioritisation

10.4.1 Balancing the priorities

When deciding the effort allocated for Must Have requirements, remember that anything other than a Must Have is, to some degree, contingency, since the Must Haves define the Minimum Usable SubseT which is guaranteed to be delivered.

DSDM recommends:

  • Getting the percentage of project/Project Increment Must Haves (in terms of effort to deliver) to a level where the team’s confidence to deliver them is high – typically no more than 60% Must Have effort
  • Agreeing a pool of Could Haves for the project/Project Increment that reflects a sensible level of contingency - typically around 20% Could Have effort. Creating a sensible pool of Could Haves sets the correct expectations for the business from the start – that these requirements/User Stories may be delivered in their entirety in a best case scenario, but the primary project/Project Increment focus will always be on protecting the Must Haves and Should Haves

This spread of priorities provides enough contingency to ensure confidence in a successful project outcome. NB When calculating effort for a timeframe, Won’t Haves (for this timeframe) are excluded. DSDM’s recommendations reflect a typical project scenario. The important thing to make MoSCoW work is to have some visible flexibility in the level of requirements which must be delivered. The safe percentage of Must Have requirements, in order to be confident of project success, is not to exceed 60% Must Have effort.

10a_-_moscow_-balancing_prio 1.png

Figure 10a: MoSCoW – balancing priorities

Levels of Must Have effort above 60% introduce a risk of failure, unless the team are working in a project where all of these criteria are true:

  • Estimates are known to be accurate
  • The approach is very well understood
  • The team are “performing” (based on the Tuckman model)
  • The environment is understood and low-risk in terms of the potential for external factors to introduce delays

In some circumstances the percentage of Must Have effort may be significantly less than 60%. However this can be used to the benefit of the business, by providing the greatest possible flexibility to optimise value delivered across a larger proportion of Should Haves. The exact split of effort between Musts, Shoulds, and Coulds is down to each project team to agree, although DSDM also recommends creating a sensible pool of Could Haves, typically around 20% of the total effort. Effective MoSCoW prioritisation is all about balancing risk and predictability for each project.  

10.4.2 Agreeing up front how priorities will work

DSDM defines what the different priorities mean – the MoSCoW Rules. But whereas the definition of a Must Have is not negotiable, the difference between a Should Have and a Could Have can be quite subjective. It is very helpful if the team agree, at the start of their project, how these lower level priorities will be applied. Understanding in advance some objective criteria that separate a Should Have from a Could Have and ensuring that all roles on the project buy into what has been agreed can avoid much heated discussion later. Look for defined boundaries that decide whether a requirement is a Should Have or a Could Have?

For example:

At what point does the number of people impacted raise a Could Have to a Should Have? Or, what value of benefits would justify dropping this requirement from a Should Have to a Could Have?

Ideally this agreement is reached before the requirements are captured.   

10.4.3 When to prioritise

very item of work has a priority. Priorities are set before work commences and the majority of this prioritisation activity happens during Foundations. However, priorities should be kept under continual review as work is completed. As new work arises, either through introduction of a new requirement or through the exposure of unexpected work associated with existing requirements, the decision must be made as to how critical it is to the success of the current work using the MoSCoW rules. When introducing new requirements, care needs to be taken not to increase the percentage of Must Have requirement effort beyond the agreed project level. The priorities of uncompleted requirements should be reviewed throughout the project to ensure that they are still valid. As a minimum, they should be reviewed at the end of each Timebox and each Project Increment.  

10.4.4 Discussing and reviewing priorities

Any requirement defined as a Must Have will, by definition, have a critical impact on the success of the project. The Project Manager, Business Analyst and any other member of the Solution Development Team should openly discuss requirements prioritised as Must Have where they are not obvious Must Haves (“Without this would we cancel the project/increment?”); it is up to the Business Visionary or their empowered Business Ambassador to explain why a requirement is a Must Have. The escalation of decision-making processes should be agreed early on, e.g. Business Ambassador and Business Analyst to Business Visionary to Business Sponsor, and the level of empowerment agreed around decision-making at each level. At the end of a Project Increment, all requirements that have not been met are re-prioritised in the light of the needs of the next Increment. This means that, for instance, a Could Have that is not met in one Increment may be reclassified subsequently as a Won’t Have for the next Increment, because it does not contribute enough towards the business needs to justify its inclusion. However, it could just as easily become a Must Have for the next Increment, if its low priority in the first Increment was based on the fact it was simply not needed in the first Solution Increment.  

10.5 Using MoSCoW to Manage Business Expectations

The MoSCoW rules have been defined in a way that allows the delivery of the Minimum Usable SubseT of requirements to be guaranteed. Both the Solution Development Team and those to whom they are delivering share this confidence because the high percentage effort of Shoulds and Coulds provides optimum contingency to ensure delivery of the Must Haves. The business roles can certainly expect more than delivery of only the Must Haves. The Must Haves are guaranteed but it is perfectly reasonable for the business to expect delivery of more than the Minimum Usable SubseT in the timeframe, except under the most challenging of circumstances. DSDM’s recommendation to create a sensible pool of Could Have contingency – typically around 20% of the total project/increment effort - identifies requirements that are less important or which have less impact if not delivered, in order to protect the more important requirements. This approach implies that the business can reasonably expect the Should Have requirements to be met, in addition to all of the Must Haves. It also implies that in a best case scenario, the Could Have requirements would also be delivered. The Solution Development Team cannot have the confidence to guarantee delivery of all the Must Have, Should Have and Could Have requirements, even though these have all been estimated and are included in the plan. This is because the plan is based on early estimates and on requirements which have not yet been analysed in low-level detail. Applying pressure to a team to guarantee delivery of Musts, Shoulds and Coulds is counter-productive. It usually results in padded estimates which give a false perception of success. “We always achieve 100% (because we added significant contingency to our figures”). So, combining sensible prioritisation with timeboxing leads to predictability of delivery and therefore greater confidence. This also protects the quality of the solution being delivered. Keeping project metrics to show the percentage of Should Haves and Could Haves delivered on each Project Increment or Timebox will either re-enforce this confidence, if things are going well, or provide an early warning of problems, highlighting that some important (but not critical) requirements may not be met at the project level.  

10.6 How does MoSCoW Relate to the Business Vision

10.6.1 The Business Sponsor’s perspective

The starting point for all projects is the business vision. Associated with the business vision are a set of prioritised requirements that contribute to delivery of the vision. Also associated with the business vision is a Business Case that describes the project in terms of what value it will deliver back to the business. Depending on the organization, this Business Case may be an informal understanding or it may be defined formally, showing what Return On Investment (ROI) is expected in order to justify the cost of the project. The MoSCoW priorities are necessary to understand the Minimum Usable SubseT and the importance of individual requirements. The Business Visionary must ensure that the requirements are prioritised, evaluated in business terms, and delivered to provide the ROI required by the Business Case, in line with the business vision.  

10.7 Making MoSCoW Work

Requirements are identified at various levels of detail, from a high-level strategic viewpoint (typically during Feasibility) through to a more detailed, implementable level (typically during Evolutionary Development). Highlevel requirements can usually be decomposed to yield a mix of sub-requirements, which can then be prioritised individually. This ensures the flexibility is maintained, so that if necessary, some of the detailed less important functionality can be dropped from the delivered solution to protect the project deadline. It is this decomposition that can help resolve one of the problems that often confront teams: that all requirements appear to be Must Haves. If all requirements were genuinely Must Haves, then the flexibility derived from the MoSCoW prioritisation would no longer work. There would be no lower priority requirements to be dropped from the deliverables to keep a project on time and budget. This goes against the DSDM ethos of fixing time and cost and flexing features (the triangles diagram in the Philosophy and Fundamentals chapter). Believing everything is a Must Have is often symptomatic of insufficient decomposition of requirements. Remember that team members may cause scope creep by working on ”interesting” things rather than the important things. MoSCoW can help avoid this.  

10.8 Tips for Assigning Priorities

1. Ensure that the business roles, in particular the Business Visionary and the Business Analyst, are fully up to speed as to why and how DSDM prioritises requirements.

2. Consider starting with all requirements as Won’t Haves, and then justify why they need to be given a higher priority.

3. For each requirement that is proposed as a Must Have, ask: ‘what happens if this requirement is not met?’ If the answer is ‘cancel the project; there is no point in implementing a solution that does not meet this requirement’, then it really is a Must Have. If not, then decide whether it is Should Have or a Could Have (or even a Won’t Have this time)

4. Ask: ‘if I come to you the night before Deployment and tell you there is a problem with a Must Have requirement and that we can’t deliver it – will you stop the Deployment?’ If the answer is ‘yes’ then this is a Must Have requirement. If not, decide whether it is Should Have or a Could Have.

5. Is there a workaround, even if it is a manual one? If a workaround exists, then it is not a Must Have requirement. When determining whether this is a Should Have or a Could Have requirement, compare the cost of the workaround with the cost of delivering the requirement, including the cost of any associated delays and any additional cost to implement it later, rather than now.

6. Ask why the requirement is needed – for this project and this Project Increment.

7. Is this requirement dependent on any others being fulfilled? A Must Have cannot depend on the delivery of anything other than a Must Have because of the risk of a Should Have or Could Have not being delivered.

8. Allow different priorities for acceptance criteria of a requirement.

For example:

'The current back-up procedures need to ensure that the service can be restored as quickly as possible.' How quick is that? Given enough time and money, that could be within seconds. A smarter definition would be to say it Should happen within four hours, but it Must happen within 24 hours.

9. Can this requirement be decomposed? Is it necessary to deliver each of these elements to fulfil the requirement? Are the decomposed elements of the same priority as each other? 10. Tie the requirement to a project objective. If the objective is not a Must Have, then probably neither is the requirement relating to it. 11. Does the priority change with time? For example, for an initial release a requirement is a Should Have, but it will become a Must Have for a later release. 12. Prioritise testing, using MoSCoW. 13. Use MoSCoW to prioritise your To Do list. It can be used for activities as well as requirements.   

10.9 Summary

MoSCoW (Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, Won’t Have this time) is primarily used to prioritise requirements, although the practice is also useful in many other areas. On a typical project, DSDM recommends no more than 60% effort for Must Have requirements on a project, and a sensible pool of Could Haves, usually around 20% effort. Anything higher than 60% Must Have effort poses a risk to the success and predictability of the project, unless the environment and any technology is well understood, the team is well established and the external risks minimal.

Next chapter: 11 Iterative Development

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The MoSCoW method for prioritization: A guide for agile teams

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In the messy world of technology, there is an immeasurable demand for the resources from product and development teams. This is where prioritization comes into play.

The MoSCoW Method For Prioritization: A Guide For Agile Teams

Prioritization is one of the core responsibilities of the product manager. With the proper prioritization framework and/or criteria, the product manager can save their team resources while moving closer to the business goals.

In this article, we will dive deep into one of the most widely used prioritization techniques, the MoSCoW method.

What is the MoSCoW method?

The MoSCoW method (also known as MoSCoW analysis) is one of many qualitative prioritization techniques used to prioritize features, user stories, and requirements.

The MoSCoW method groups the features into four groups:

  • Should-have
  • Could-have (or nice-to-have)

1. Must-have

Features or stories are critical for the product’s success. These features represent the non-negotiables which, if not implemented successfully, might put the product at risk of failing.

For example, let’s say you are the PM of a university’s e-learning system. A must-have feature might be the assignment submission feature because it serves a primary and essential need for both ideal customer profiles.

2. Should-have

This classification represents the features that are important, but not as crucial as the must-haves. These features, if not implemented, can cause a severe risk to the product’s success, but their risk is lower than the must-haves.

Typically, product teams use this classification for minor bug fixes and/or performance improvement initiatives.

Returning to our example, a should-have feature for our e-learning system might be an integrated plagiarism tool for teachers to use. This can be a should-have because it would not stop the teachers from doing their work, but not implementing it might lead them to churn and move to other platforms that save them time.

3. Could-have (or nice-to-have)

This classification represents desirable features that are not important to the core function of the product. Not implementing this feature will not cause any risk or failure.

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Could-have features might help your product or do nothing at all. Features that are tagged with the could-have classification end up deprioritized and treated as a sprint filler.

For our e-learning, one feature could be the ability for the teachers to message other students through the platform. This is nice-to-have because this problem is typically dealt with through email and other platforms.

4. Won’t-have

This classification represents features that are not aligned with the vision and the strategy of the product. These are the features requested by other departments or stakeholders, but are entirely irrelevant.

If we were to reflect this in our e-learning example, this might be a feature that enables teachers to develop a curriculum collaboratively on the platform. This feature is a won’t-have because it doesn’t align with the vision of the product because the product is intended to mainly serve the students.

MoSCoW prioritization template

The MoSCoW prioritization method can be used to prioritize both the product backlog and the sprint backlog . This tells engineers what they need to deliver first and gives them an idea of what task could potentially spill over into the next sprint.

Below is a simple template that can get you up and running with the MoSCoW prioritization technique:

MoSCoW Prioritization Technique

History of the MoSCoW method

The MoSCoW method was introduced first in 1994 by Dai Clegg , a British business consultant and software engineer.

Clegg was working on a software project with the British government and was looking for a method to prioritize the system requirements based on their urgency and criticality. He came up with the MoSCoW method to rank and prioritize the features and ensure the right investments were put into the top features.

How to use the MoSCoW prioritization method (5 steps)

Using the MoSCoW in the real world is more than tagging features with four different tags. It requires additional steps to ensure the proper prioritization is put into place and that features align with your stakeholders.

To apply the MoSCoW prioritization method in product management, take the following steps:

1. Groom your features

It is always a best practice to start by listing your features in your product backlog. Add some details to them like the basic idea of the feature, some simple user flows, and wireframes, and meet with your engineers/technical navigators, or system analysts to check on the technical feasibility and the edge cases.

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2. Prioritize initially

After you have all of your features groomed, start prioritizing them. Classify them into must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have. Prioritize based on the available resources and insights gathered from any user research and product analytics.

3. Align with your stakeholders

Present your initial priority to your stakeholders. Gather their input and try to persuade them of your priority based on the insights and the data you have.

Don’t leave the meeting without alignment on the priority of each feature. The outcome of the meeting should be a prioritized list agreed on by each and every stakeholder.

4. Adjust your roadmap and announce

After finalizing the backlog, make sure to give it a final review and announce it publicly using your internal roadmap and any communication channel that includes all the stakeholders.

5. Communicate continuously

We are in the agile era . That means we should embrace change and understand that changes happen all the time.

A feature that is a could-have in this quarter might be a must-have in the next one. So make sure to communicate changes in the business and feature priorities continuously with your stakeholders.

Ensure all the related documents, like the roadmap and the backlog , are updated accordingly and on a timely basis to avoid any miscommunication and to make sure that everyone is aligned on the timeline and the priorities.

Final thoughts

The MoSCoW method is one of the most powerful and widely used prioritization techniques worldwide. It helps classify features and initiatives into four groups.

For the MoSCoW method to be applied effectively and deliver the intended value, it should include a lot of stakeholder alignment and involvement. The product manager should dedicate more time to the must-have features to come up with a killer solution that helps solve the major problem for the users.

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MoSCoW Prioritization

What is moscow prioritization.

MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements. 

  The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the “W” in MoSCoW to mean “wish.”

What is the History of the MoSCoW Method?

Software development expert Dai Clegg created the MoSCoW method while working at Oracle. He designed the framework to help his team prioritize tasks during development work on product releases.

You can find a detailed account of using MoSCoW prioritization in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook . But because MoSCoW can prioritize tasks within any time-boxed project, teams have adapted the method for a broad range of uses.

How Does MoSCoW Prioritization Work?

Before running a MoSCoW analysis, a few things need to happen. First, key stakeholders and the product team need to get aligned on objectives and prioritization factors. Then, all participants must agree on which initiatives to prioritize.

At this point, your team should also discuss how they will settle any disagreements in prioritization. If you can establish how to resolve disputes before they come up, you can help prevent those disagreements from holding up progress.

Finally, you’ll also want to reach a consensus on what percentage of resources you’d like to allocate to each category.

With the groundwork complete, you may begin determining which category is most appropriate for each initiative. But, first, let’s further break down each category in the MoSCoW method.

Start prioritizing your roadmap

Moscow prioritization categories.

Moscow

1. Must-have initiatives

As the name suggests, this category consists of initiatives that are “musts” for your team. They represent non-negotiable needs for the project, product, or release in question. For example, if you’re releasing a healthcare application, a must-have initiative may be security functionalities that help maintain compliance.

The “must-have” category requires the team to complete a mandatory task. If you’re unsure about whether something belongs in this category, ask yourself the following.

moscow-initiatives

If the product won’t work without an initiative, or the release becomes useless without it, the initiative is most likely a “must-have.”

2. Should-have initiatives

Should-have initiatives are just a step below must-haves. They are essential to the product, project, or release, but they are not vital. If left out, the product or project still functions. However, the initiatives may add significant value.

“Should-have” initiatives are different from “must-have” initiatives in that they can get scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one. For example, performance improvements, minor bug fixes, or new functionality may be “should-have” initiatives. Without them, the product still works.

3. Could-have initiatives

Another way of describing “could-have” initiatives is nice-to-haves. “Could-have” initiatives are not necessary to the core function of the product. However, compared with “should-have” initiatives, they have a much smaller impact on the outcome if left out.

So, initiatives placed in the “could-have” category are often the first to be deprioritized if a project in the “should-have” or “must-have” category ends up larger than expected.

4. Will not have (this time)

One benefit of the MoSCoW method is that it places several initiatives in the “will-not-have” category. The category can manage expectations about what the team will not include in a specific release (or another timeframe you’re prioritizing).

Placing initiatives in the “will-not-have” category is one way to help prevent scope creep . If initiatives are in this category, the team knows they are not a priority for this specific time frame. 

Some initiatives in the “will-not-have” group will be prioritized in the future, while others are not likely to happen. Some teams decide to differentiate between those by creating a subcategory within this group.

How Can Development Teams Use MoSCoW?

  Although Dai Clegg developed the approach to help prioritize tasks around his team’s limited time, the MoSCoW method also works when a development team faces limitations other than time. For example: 

Prioritize based on budgetary constraints.

What if a development team’s limiting factor is not a deadline but a tight budget imposed by the company? Working with the product managers, the team can use MoSCoW first to decide on the initiatives that represent must-haves and the should-haves. Then, using the development department’s budget as the guide, the team can figure out which items they can complete. 

Prioritize based on the team’s skillsets.

A cross-functional product team might also find itself constrained by the experience and expertise of its developers. If the product roadmap calls for functionality the team does not have the skills to build, this limiting factor will play into scoring those items in their MoSCoW analysis.

Prioritize based on competing needs at the company.

Cross-functional teams can also find themselves constrained by other company priorities. The team wants to make progress on a new product release, but the executive staff has created tight deadlines for further releases in the same timeframe. In this case, the team can use MoSCoW to determine which aspects of their desired release represent must-haves and temporarily backlog everything else.

What Are the Drawbacks of MoSCoW Prioritization?

  Although many product and development teams have prioritized MoSCoW, the approach has potential pitfalls. Here are a few examples.

1. An inconsistent scoring process can lead to tasks placed in the wrong categories.

  One common criticism against MoSCoW is that it does not include an objective methodology for ranking initiatives against each other. Your team will need to bring this methodology to your analysis. The MoSCoW approach works only to ensure that your team applies a consistent scoring system for all initiatives.

Pro tip: One proven method is weighted scoring, where your team measures each initiative on your backlog against a standard set of cost and benefit criteria. You can use the weighted scoring approach in ProductPlan’s roadmap app .

2. Not including all relevant stakeholders can lead to items placed in the wrong categories.

To know which of your team’s initiatives represent must-haves for your product and which are merely should-haves, you will need as much context as possible.

For example, you might need someone from your sales team to let you know how important (or unimportant) prospective buyers view a proposed new feature.

One pitfall of the MoSCoW method is that you could make poor decisions about where to slot each initiative unless your team receives input from all relevant stakeholders. 

3. Team bias for (or against) initiatives can undermine MoSCoW’s effectiveness.

Because MoSCoW does not include an objective scoring method, your team members can fall victim to their own opinions about certain initiatives. 

One risk of using MoSCoW prioritization is that a team can mistakenly think MoSCoW itself represents an objective way of measuring the items on their list. They discuss an initiative, agree that it is a “should have,” and move on to the next.

But your team will also need an objective and consistent framework for ranking all initiatives. That is the only way to minimize your team’s biases in favor of items or against them.

When Do You Use the MoSCoW Method for Prioritization?

MoSCoW prioritization is effective for teams that want to include representatives from the whole organization in their process. You can capture a broader perspective by involving participants from various functional departments.

Another reason you may want to use MoSCoW prioritization is it allows your team to determine how much effort goes into each category. Therefore, you can ensure you’re delivering a good variety of initiatives in each release.

What Are Best Practices for Using MoSCoW Prioritization?

If you’re considering giving MoSCoW prioritization a try, here are a few steps to keep in mind. Incorporating these into your process will help your team gain more value from the MoSCoW method.

1. Choose an objective ranking or scoring system.

Remember, MoSCoW helps your team group items into the appropriate buckets—from must-have items down to your longer-term wish list. But MoSCoW itself doesn’t help you determine which item belongs in which category.

You will need a separate ranking methodology. You can choose from many, such as:

  • Weighted scoring
  • Value vs. complexity
  • Buy-a-feature
  • Opportunity scoring

For help finding the best scoring methodology for your team, check out ProductPlan’s article: 7 strategies to choose the best features for your product .

2. Seek input from all key stakeholders.

To make sure you’re placing each initiative into the right bucket—must-have, should-have, could-have, or won’t-have—your team needs context. 

At the beginning of your MoSCoW method, your team should consider which stakeholders can provide valuable context and insights. Sales? Customer success? The executive staff? Product managers in another area of your business? Include them in your initiative scoring process if you think they can help you see opportunities or threats your team might miss. 

3. Share your MoSCoW process across your organization.

MoSCoW gives your team a tangible way to show your organization prioritizing initiatives for your products or projects. 

The method can help you build company-wide consensus for your work, or at least help you show stakeholders why you made the decisions you did.

Communicating your team’s prioritization strategy also helps you set expectations across the business. When they see your methodology for choosing one initiative over another, stakeholders in other departments will understand that your team has thought through and weighed all decisions you’ve made. 

If any stakeholders have an issue with one of your decisions, they will understand that they can’t simply complain—they’ll need to present you with evidence to alter your course of action.  

Related Terms

2×2 prioritization matrix / Eisenhower matrix / DACI decision-making framework / ICE scoring model / RICE scoring model

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