Module 5, Session 1: Project Management and Time Planning

[CPC Admin]

#4878

Share your insights from this week’s session on project management here.

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[Mical ONGACHI]

#5813

Project management is journey both for the student and the supervisor. This journey has got challenges that could emanate from both the supervisor or the student. Studies have reveled that PhD students failure could be at the beginning of the project or at the end of the project. The project that entails time and what should be taking place from the time the journey of PhD starts is key because it gives direction at what should be happening at every stage and I was impressed by that part that required 4 weeks rest because the journey of PhD is quite demanding for both the supervisor and the student. Its demanding particularly when the work load has increased for teaching in my university where I work which demand that I must teach five undergraduate units with no reference to post graduate workload. The issue of the scope was also interesting so that the student does not concentrate on studying even what may not be relevant for the study project in progress for example looking at theories from another field that only one may be relevant yet the time spent on it is beyond the scope

[Mary Juma]

#5833

Project management is important to both the supervisor and the student for successful completion of the task ahead. University other programs can interfere with the set deadlines but with a strict program much can be accomplished.

[John Mambambo]

#5848

Owing to the complex nature of postgraduate studies – time management becomes an invaluable tool and resource. Regardless of the student’s research acumen and the supervisor’s wealth of knowledge or wisdom – if they both do not discuss and agree on how they will collaborate on managing their time – the study might just be another ‘time wasted’ as the student might spend too much time on less important tasks and the supervisor might take ages to revert back to the student with the much needed feedback. Time is at the heart of the success of postgraduate studies – it is the heart and soul of the endeavor. Everything else revolves around the project of time. This then brings us to the centrality of Project Management where each item is allocated its own time and where milestones are clearly defined. The wise say time lost is never recovered. Planning a project with specific timelines make the goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by John Mambambo.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by John Mambambo.

[Faith Kandie]

#5855

Project management is very important and encompasses time planning too. Both the student and the supervisor should work out and manage the PhD journey efficiently to reap high quality desertions as well as mentor the students to be future mentors. However, project management does not come with fair amount of challenges such as excess workload when it comes to so many students as well as other responsibilities such as teaching or grant writing. If is important to strike a balance with the support of the university administration.

[Washika Okonda Michael]

#5856

Indeed postgraduate studies and specifically the supervision aspect is a project that like any other project should have clear stakeholders and their roles, timelines from start to finish to avoid any delays that result in losses (in terms of penalty for failing to finish in good time and budget constraints for prolonged finish time). It should be clear when the student will clear course work, be assigned supervisors, present the proposal, collect data, defend and graduate. For example, the time to meet a supervisor should not be at his/her discretion. Record of work covered should be made as evidence of progress. Such records should be availed on monthly basis to an established committee to review the progress and where possible reviews and evaluation made. An agreement is needed between the student, supervisor and the university on the roles, duties and responsibilities of every party with penalties borne by a party that contravenes the agreement. The idea is to create an environment conducive for everyone.

[Shudufhadzo Godlive Mukwevho]

#5863

Post graduate supervision on its own is a project which needs equal attention as our usual day to day academics, therefore, planning plays a huge role in the success of students supervision as well as time management since we work with a lot of deadlines in both teaching, learning and also supervision.

[Channel Zhou]

#5874

I agree that postgraduate supervision is similar to project management in that they are all time bound and focused on the delivery of a well-designed and useful artifact. Just like with any project, the “terms and conditions” have to be specified and agreed on. Communication during the journey is a prerequisite, each party has to play its role, and where there are challenges they need to be communicated and solutions agreed on. The postgraduate journey is a project that consists of many deliverables which may include conference attendances, publications, and thesis chapters. To successfully execute the project a plan of when each milestone is to be achieved should be put in place. At each level, both the student and the supervisor must reflect and learn from the experiences, aiming to improve at each level.

[Tshilidzi Munzhelele]

#5892

I think project management has to do with the following:
a. time to start and time to finish
b. monthly plan and date when to accomplish certain tasks
c. agreement between the supervisor and the student
d. the budget or costs of each task

Time planning has to do with the following
a. how many years in the programme
b.time month allocated to each chapter
It is therefore pivotal to have all these in place in order to avoid any disorganisation of the whole project. It also helps the student to always be aware and active.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Tshilidzi Munzhelele.

[Kevin C. K. Ma]

#5895

A Gantt chart is certainly a useful tool and should be updated throughout the academic journey of the student. This can also ensure that both the supervisor and student are on the same page in terms of the student’s progress. MOUs is something done at my department but it is probably very applicable for honours and master students.

[Phemelo Hellemann]

#5898

I absolutely the idea of seeing your research as a project. I love the Gantt chart and I think it is something that can I would use/adapt to help my students track their progress. Here at Rhodes, our Higher Degrees guideline has an outline of roles and responsibilities for students and supervisors, it is a good springboard to getting the conversation started. I have used it with my own supervisor to get our own MoU going. Very useful tool.

[Gideon Rotich]

#5916

Project management is crucial for both the student and the supervisor during the PhD journey. This is because the resources, especially time and budget, are limited and time-bound. For this reason, proper project management is essential. The PhD Journey entails a number of systematic activities needed to be performed by both the supervisor and the student. These activities need to be completed in a sequential way in order for the student to achieve progress in his/her PhD work. These activities are captured in the project management plan ensuring that non is missed and all the activities are time-bound. Proper management also helps in ensuring that student completes the PhD work on stipulated time within the budget with minimal conflict with all parties concerned. The PhD project management plan is developed by the student together with the supervisor ensuring they follow what is stipulated by the institution guidelines.

[Quinter Migunde]

#5919

Being a project, postgraduate studies needs to be planned for and managed appropriately. Both the student and the supervisor needs to set realistic expectations and agree on a number of issues before supervision begins. This may help in minimizing conflicts and completing the project on time. It is unfortunate however that I have never come across a written MoU in my department however based on what I have learnt in this session there is need to develop one in my department.

[Nelly Akinyi Juma]

#5924

A Post graduate course can be compared to project management where certain goals have to be achieved at specific times. The supervisor should know the background of the student that they are working with including their social, economic and professional background. This way, they are able to agree and set goals that work for the student. In this way misunderstandings are minimized. The student is then able to finish their PhD work within the stipulated timw provided by the university.

[Lilian Diana Awuor Wanzare]

#5949

I think considering postgraduate work as a project is a great way to plan ahead and keep track of what needs to be done.
Keeping diaries, and tracking progress of the students I supervise helps keep m eon track.
Though I spend quite some time balancing between teaching, administrative work, my own personal projects and postgraduate work, and sometimes one of the 4 may lag behind.
From experience, postgraduate works tends to lag behind.

Typically the supervisor and student plan the phd in work packages or modules with time frames and milestones. This is close to project planning and time management.

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