I think the work that our group has accomplished this semester has thoroughly prepared us for the project development proper set to take place next year. Besides having already partially set up the project, we have also learned a great deal of both hard and soft skills that will surely be beneficial going forward with this project.

The first thing that will come in handy is obviously the material that we've prepared: the Gantt charts, timetables, Trello boards, and team charters have all been completed, and are awaiting our use. Besides the clear benefit of not having to produce these next year, we have also learned the hard skills required to make modifications to these schedules as needed. 

Another important factor for success is the acquisition of soft skills in game development, especially those regarding interpersonal communication and teamwork. These were learned while writing the team value charter, and participating in various group building exercises throughout the semester. Using these skills, the group has learned how to be more empathetic towards each other, and how to make reasonable concessions made for other team members in scheduling and responsibilities, among other skills. The development of these skills will certainly aid us in keeping the group together and running smoothly while developing the project proper.

An issue for me starting out was how hard it was to conceptualize the scope for a project that was still so far away; how much time that's expected for each task, and the difficulties of each task. After spending some time to work this out, the group is generally more confident that we are able to develop the game in a reasonable amount of time with our current skills.

Overall, the biggest preparation I felt we made was in risk analysis and mitigation. By brainstorming everything that could possibly go wrong with the project, and developing various contingencies depending on the severity of the risk, it allowed us to feel a lot more comfortable with the direction of the project. It was very comforting to know the group will be capable of tackling risks of nearly all degrees, and ensure the completion of the project.

Overall, I'm Looking forward to working with the group further, and hope we can develop a strong piece to use for our respective portfolios.