Welcome
A good idea is useless if you cannot find the file that holds it. Today you will learn how folders, clear names, and a simple layout keep your Something Real project under control for the full course, not just this week.
By the end of the lesson your Project Portfolio will have eight numbered sub-folders ready for every Key Assignment artifact you will build.
{{img:img_folder_structure_concept}}
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Create folders and name files so they still make sense a week later
- Apply sensible file naming conventions using number, topic and optional version cues
- Move files between folders and recognise what a file path shows
- Restructure the Project Portfolio into the standard 01_ to 08_ sub-folder layout
Warm-up
Think of the last time you hunted for a file called something like {{code:document1}} or {{code:untitled}}. How long did it take, and what would have made it easy to find in five seconds?
Folders and file names are how you leave a trail for your future self. Study the diagram and the short worked example, then you will build the same tidy layout in your own portfolio.
{{img:img_folder_structure_concept}}
Quick glance — what each folder is for (keep this open while you create folders):
- {{code:01_brief}} — brief and early setup notes
- {{code:02_research}} — sources and research notes
- {{code:03_documents}} — letters and general drafts
- {{code:04_research_report}} — finished research write-up
- {{code:05_budget}} — cost sheets
- {{code:06_charts}} — charts and visual data
- {{code:07_pitch}} — presentation slides
- {{code:08_promo}} — flyers and promo material
| Concept | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Folder — a labelled container that holds related files (and sometimes other folders) | One Project Portfolio with clear sub-folders beats a Downloads pile when a teacher asks for Key Assignment evidence | A {{code:05_budget}} folder holds every cost sheet for a Centra stocktake log or a small enterprise side hustle |
| File naming convention — a short, repeated pattern so every name is readable later | Names with a number and topic beat {{code:document1}} when you reopen work after a placement week | {{code:01_project_brief}} or {{code:03_proposal_draft}} still make sense months later; {{code:stuff_final_FINAL2}} does not |
| File path — the trail of folders that leads to a file, often shown as breadcrumbs at the top of the window | The path tells you exactly where a file lives, so you can open the same place on another school machine | {{code:Project_Portfolio / 03_documents / 03_letter}} points straight to a stakeholder letter |
You will also move a file in the demo: relocating it into the right folder keeps one master copy instead of duplicates.
Worked example: messy to clear
Imagine Aoife is logging a Work Experience placement at a local garage. Three messy names become three clear homes:
- {{code:NEW new brief}} → {{code:Project_Portfolio/01_brief/01_project_brief}}
- {{code:notes}} → {{code:Project_Portfolio/01_brief/01_my_machine}}
- {{code:budget maybe}} → {{code:Project_Portfolio/05_budget/05_project_budget}}
Same work, clear homes. That is the standard you will build next.
Follow the steps for your cloud storage to open (or create) your Project Portfolio, build the eight standard sub-folders, practise a clear rename, move a file into the right home, read the file path in the breadcrumb bar, then capture a layout screenshot as course evidence.
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| I cannot find Project Portfolio at all | Create it now at the cloud root: {{btn:+ Add new}} / {{btn:+ New}} → {{btn:Folder}}, name it exactly {{code:Project_Portfolio}}, then open it and continue with the eight sub-folders inside. |
| I created the eight folders, but they are sitting next to Project Portfolio, not inside it | That is a common slip and nothing is broken. Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}} first so the breadcrumb shows you are inside it, then create each new folder. If folders are already outside, move them into {{code:Project_Portfolio}} with {{btn:Move to}}. |
| The folder name looks slightly wrong (for example {{code:01 brief}} with a space, or {{code:01_Brief}} with a capital B) | Right-click the folder, choose {{btn:Rename}}, and type the exact course name in lowercase with an underscore: {{code:01_brief}}. Matching names matter for the rest of the course. |
| I cannot find a file I just moved | Open the destination folder (often {{code:01_brief}}) and check the breadcrumb path. Use the cloud search box at the top and type part of the file name if you still cannot see it. |
| My screen does not match the buttons in the instructions | Cloud layouts change slightly by school account. Look for the same words (New, Folder, Move to, Rename) or the folder icon with an arrow. Ask your teacher to point at the matching control once, then try again yourself. |
| I am not sure how to capture and bank the screenshot | Windows: {{kbd:Win+Shift+S}}. Mac: {{kbd:Cmd+Shift+4}}. Chromebook: {{kbd:Ctrl+Shift+Show windows}} (or choose Partial screen on the capture bar). If a file landed in Downloads or Desktop, upload it into {{code:01_brief}} and rename to {{code:01_portfolio_layout}}. If it is on the clipboard only, paste into Paint, Preview, or a blank Doc, save as an image, upload, and rename. Keep any .png or .jpg ending. |
Independent Practice
- Must have: Open {{code:Project_Portfolio}} and check that all eight sub-folders sit inside it with the exact names {{code:01_brief}}, {{code:02_research}}, {{code:03_documents}}, {{code:04_research_report}}, {{code:05_budget}}, {{code:06_charts}}, {{code:07_pitch}}, and {{code:08_promo}}. Fix any folder that is outside, mis-typed, or missing — do not create duplicates of ones that are already correct.
- Must have: Confirm your layout screenshot is saved inside {{code:01_brief}} as {{code:01_portfolio_layout}} (a .png or .jpg ending added by your device is fine). If you still need to capture it, reuse the step-by-step path: shortcut → find the file or clipboard snip → upload into {{code:01_brief}} → rename exactly {{code:01_portfolio_layout}}.
- Must have: Rename and move at least one early-course file into the matching sub-folder (most early work belongs in {{code:01_brief}}).
- Bonus if time: Move any remaining loose files from the Project Portfolio root into the right homes and tidy any other vague names. Use the purpose list from Key concepts if you are unsure.
- All eight sub-folders sit inside {{code:Project_Portfolio}} with the exact course names (no duplicates outside)
- A screenshot of the finished eight-folder layout is saved inside {{code:01_brief}} as {{code:01_portfolio_layout}} (image ending fine)
- At least one early-course file has a clear name and lives in the right sub-folder rather than loose in the root
- Bonus: remaining loose files are sorted and other vague names are cleaned up
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