Project management

Comprehensive planning in the early months of the doctorate sets the stage for successful and timely completion. Decisions made during this time have far-reaching implications. The eventual outcomes of research projects are often determined by decisions made (or not made) in the first few months.

However, effective project management is not about creating a rigid plan at the start of your project and then sticking to it regardless of what happens. A good project manager will review their plan regularly and make changes to ensure that the objectives can still be achieved.

In putting together a project plan consider the following questions.

• When is your deadline?
• What else have you got to do between now and then?
• What are the main milestones in your research?
• Does your institution require you to complete anything or produce any reports by any particular date?
• How much have you got to write?
• How long do you think the writing will take you? Remember to leave some time for editing and correcting.
• Do you need to travel to do any of your research?
• Do you need to undertake any training?
• Will any of your research take a set amount of time to complete?
• When can you start researching?

You may find it useful to use a diary as you think about these questions. Plot deadlines and milestones onto the diary and break down large tasks into manageable activities with clear deadlines.  Think about what your objectives are and make sure that they are SMARTE.

Plan around the typical milestones in the doctoral process.

Supervisors are among the most important project management tools. Use them to help you think through your planning and review your progress in supervisions.