Proposal Based Studio Projects: How to Avoid Producing "Cookie Cutter" Software Engineers

The proposal based studio is a method to teach software engineers best practices without developing a "cookie cutter" environment. It teaches students how to get projects done in the fixed time of a degree program without relying on a dogmatic, fixed "recipe" process. This paper discusses how students are provided a template with six general process areas for which they must "propose" solutions. These proposed solutions are unique to each 4 to 5 member Master of Software Engineering team and are continuously reviewed by the faculty throughout the project.