Module 5, Session 1: Project Management and Time Planning

[Isabella Lutzili Asamba]

#5961

The postgraduate journey is made up of various components together with the supervision process this project can be interesting. Setting up of the goal and specific objectives that need to be attained requires putting in place actions to be achieved within a realistic timeframe in order to deliver a product (thesis) of value. The project management should drive change as supervision picks up and moves to conclusion. Having a written MOU would enable maintain the tempo of the postgraduate project. As a department we do not have any written MOU, however, I have managed to keep my students research progress and my role at each stage through use of an agreed workplan and progress reporting. Being new in this supervision field I have found this is working well

[Stephen Nguthi]

#5967

What a great way to organize supervision? My experience as an MSc and PhD student was to the contrary. There was never an agreed plan on anything between myself as a student and the supervisors. Our supervision meetings were not preplanned and depended on whether I had something I needed clarified or assisted about by the supervisors. Even though we could agree on items that needed to be addressed in the thesis, we never agreed on the exact turnaround timelines in advance. Mostly, it was the student’s initiative to request for a meeting to agree on an issue that needed addressing. Considering the PhD study as project and using the various project management tools seems is in deed a clear structural method of completing the studies. This method is easy to use and progress can be tracked from time to time.

[Nyiko Condry Ngobeni]

#6006

I agree indeed postgraduate studies and supervision aspect is a project that like any other project that should have clear stakeholders and their roles, this is very important timelines from start to finish is good to avoid any delays that result in losses of penalty for failing to finish in good time and budget constraints for finishing. It should be clear when the student will clear course work, be assigned supervisors, present the proposal, collect data, defend and graduate.

[Zahda Yazid]

#6023

I think managing a Ph.D. research as a project helps the researcher develop the following skills that can be useful not only in completing the work at hand but also in managing future projects on the personal and professional levels:

1. Design: how to develop the concept and overall objective of the project and divide it into segments/stages

2. Planning: how to allocate sufficient time in order to implement each stage of the project, and which stage/s require more time than others

3. Time management: how to ensure that time allocated to each stage is feasible

4. Monitoring: how to follow up on progress made in the implementation of the stage of the
project

5. Analysis: how to identify the obstacles/hurdles facing the implementation of the project

6. Reflexivity: how to think about what went right and what went wrong and why

7. Resilience: how to address interruptions/crises and find alternative approaches to continue the project

8. Communication: how to communicate (in writing or presenting) progress/ problems/achievements in the projects to the stakeholders or supervisors

9. Evaluation: how to evaluate the process of implementation, what are the lessons learned?

10. Teamwork: how to work with others on the project; usually projects have more than one person on board. Learning how to share responsibilities and distribute tasks among the members of the team is crucial to the successful implementation and completion of the project.

I think what needs to be added to the management process is risk analysis. Most researchers come across hurdles in the implementation process, identifying potential threats, problems, etc. in the planning phase can help the researcher be proactive and anticipate solutions.

[Rose Burugu]

#6048

Just like projects. postgraduate studies have scheduled time frames within which they must be conducted to completion. As such, there must be a degree of planning the stages in the process against available time. It is our role as supervisors to guide candidates but more so, a candidate must take the personal initiative to work under the set time-frames.

There are many factors that may hinder or delay completion, but i believe at each stage there must be time to reflect on the progress and determine causes of delay and or improve thereof. In my experience, most PhD candidates have other responsibilities whether administrative or family related but there must be a deliberate strike of balance if the PhD progress is not to be compromised or delayed.

Despite the fact that supervisors play a key role in determining progress, the burden must be tagged to the candidates interest since often during the study, some tend to take a break when various milestones are not met hence demotivating. Ideally, just as projects, PhD study is not immune to hurdles, hence candidates must prepare themselves for a journey whose stages are not cast in stone and be sufficiently mentored on how to forge on when there seems to be minimal or no progress.

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