The curriculum is used merely as a guide, allowing teams to adapt to local needs. Along with the project, we must develop the criteria by which the product will be judged. Instead of a traditional mindset in which assessment is the last step, planning must begin with the assessment and work backwards. As in industry, standards must be set, as well as a plan for dealing with products that do not meet the standards. The multidisciplinary team approach, as well as the work component, helped us to answer this question.
Flexibility is the other key element.
Most teachers overplan, a result of years of habit. Project learning not only takes away the burden of being the major resource in the classroom, it also allows plans to develop even as they are being implemented. Variations may occur as students begin their projects, and some means must be incorporated to deal with these changes. One of the hardest changes to incorporate is the involvement of students in planning. Teacher guidance is critical, but student input is also necessary.