Chapter 2. How do I manage the research process?

A systematic approach to project management

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Key questions (1)

• How can project management help

me to manage my research project

more systematically?

• How do I develop and use a project

plan?

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Key questions (2)

• How can I monitor my project’s

progress?

• How can I work effectively with

other students?

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Understanding the project life cycle (1)

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Understanding the project life cycle (2)

Emotional project life cycle:

1. Enthusiasm2. Despondency3. Running down blind alleys4. Panic5. Elation6. Deflation

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Objectives

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Realistic

• Time-framed

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Project breakdown structure

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Preliminary planningRequirements

Activity list (from project breakdown)

Estimates of times required

Dependencies between activities

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Preliminary planningPrinciples

– Every project must have a safety margin in the project schedule and the ONLY place to put in any safety margin is at the end of the project

– As soon as one activity is completed, regardless of whether it is early or late, the next activity should start straight away

• Forward and backward schedule to fit plan with time available

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Analysing and communicating plans (1) Analysis

Compile network diagram

Project duration

Potential for parallel activities

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Analysing and communicating plans(2) Communication

Gantt Chart

Work packages

Task lists

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Plan analysis

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Gantt Chart

© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)

Monitoring progress (1)

• The plan provides the basis for

monitoring

• Plans change

• How’s it going? (who is the best judge of project progress?)

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Monitoring progress (2)

• Manage your time

– Set & keep to priorities

– Use support network

– Work at most effective

– Don’t leave it all until the last minute

© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)

Risk

What about opportunities?

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Working in teams

• Principles– Clear elevating goal– Defined responsibility– Communications strategy– Balanced portfolio of skills and attributes– Foster collaboration– Set high standards– Deal with conflict as it arises

• Meetings

© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)

Learning outcomes (1)

• Apply project management ideas to your

research project;

• Compile SMART objectives, basic plans

and activity lists for your project;

• Draw a Gantt chart or network diagram

and analyse your project schedule;

© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)

Learning outcomes (2)

• Keep your project on track;

• Identify good practices for managing

a group project and dealing with

conflict.