Project Management Principles for PhD

Key take-aways:

1. Break work down into manageable stages. Break the PhD into sub-projects and have an output for each.Also conduct quality checks at each stage (validity and reliability) 
2. Define the scope: What you are doing and what you are NOT
3. Find info about the problem from those with the problem
4. Avoid research scope creep
5. Manage RISK at all stages in your PhD
6. Plan for quality
7. Delegate tasks (lectures,tests,SGs etc) to others
8. Schedule a monthly 'control' day to look at the research and ensure that everything is still inline with the BIG PICTURE.
9. Stand bak and look into the reserach like an outsider
10. Status reporting: Keep updating yourself of what happening (it'll provide a good history report at the end)
11. Set and be the example : Push stakeholders so they see you're serious
12. SET AND MEET YOUR OWN DEADLINES

Project Scoping process for PhD

WHY?          =                   Research problem
WHAT?        =                   Research objective
HOW?          =                   Research methodology
WHEN?        =                   Research timelines
WHO?          =                   Researcher

In every stage of the PhD analysis the following:

INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
ASSUMPTIONS
RISKS
TODOs
(See page 9 of ADA booklet)

Time managament for research

• setting goals
• examine how you spend time
• use to-do lists
• delegate
• avoid interuptions
• do your admin throughout

Related article

Planning is everything: Take time to plan properly

• use a structured approach
• plan for the real world
• shre the time plans

Communicate clearly: use visual tools

Risk management

1. Identify the risk
2. Rank the risk: Ranking is based on 'likelihood of occurrence' and 'impact'
3. Mitigate the risk

See page 23 of ADA doc.