Download - Chapter 2
Chapter 2. How do I manage the research process?
A systematic approach to project management
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
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?
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Key questions (2)
• How can I monitor my project’s
progress?
• How can I work effectively with
other students?
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Understanding the project life cycle (1)
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Understanding the project life cycle (2)
Emotional project life cycle:
1. Enthusiasm2. Despondency3. Running down blind alleys4. Panic5. Elation6. Deflation
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Objectives
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Time-framed
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Project breakdown structure
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Preliminary planningRequirements
Activity list (from project breakdown)
Estimates of times required
Dependencies between activities
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
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
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Analysing and communicating plans (1) Analysis
Compile network diagram
Project duration
Potential for parallel activities
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Analysing and communicating plans(2) Communication
Gantt Chart
Work packages
Task lists
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
Plan analysis
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
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?)
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
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?
© Maylor & Blackmon (2005)
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.