Project management
The fourth generic quality covers the two learning modes of autonomy and collaboration. For the research degree student the context is ‘as a researcher within a particular discipline or professional area and within wider but related areas’. Indicators of learning autonomy would be the exercise of intellectual independence or self-direction and the acquisition of the principles of project management.
Introduction
You may already be working with business or industry research partners as part of your research project, and opportunities for work experience may arise from this, especially if your supervisor is in a research centre or institute which is part of a CRC (Cooperative Research Centre). Your supervisor should involve you as much as practicable (without interfering with your studies) in the day-to-day project management, including time planning and finance, as these are useful supplementary skills. Try to have direct contact with your non-academic research partners as it will help you to understand their perspective (often profit or marketing related) and apply the knowledge obtained from your research into real world situations.
Many research students involved with industry projects are subsequently
employed by their industry partners. If your project does not
involve an industry partner, consider volunteer work as a means of
gaining professional experience. Many organisations are short
staffed and would be pleased to benefit from and add to your skills.
UniSA resources
On campus workshops
Research Education Support Activities (RESA) offers on campus workshops relevant to personal development as part of the core series (eg 'A team of one’: how will you manage time and your project? and Defining your research project and planning your research in the Sciences, engineering and technology commencing program). Check the calendar for details of when these workshops are offered.
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Online workshops, courses and resources
Research management index (RESA) provides links to online workshops, courses and resources. Indexes on Writing the proposal; Ethics and compliance; and other stages in your candidature, are also available.
Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation covers the areas: Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation; Entrepreneurial Foundations; Leadership and Workplace Communication; Project Management for Research; Public Policy and Research.
Courses on project management: UniSA offers a range of these within the different disciplines which may be considered for further study.
Project Management (School of Natural and Built Environments) offers:
- career information including how project management relates to the Graduate Qualities
- transnational program information
- staff contacts for the programs offered
Project management@UniSA (PDF file, 932kb) is a good practice guide developed by the Organisational Learning and Development Unit aiming to 'provide UniSA staff with an introduction to project management theory, and practical advice on managing projects'.
ISTS
Project Management Methodology provides ISTS Project Managers of UniSA
with a set of standard processes, procedures and tools that will assist them
in the provision of a consistently high quality service to the University.
Whilst it is specific to the unit, there are many general details about
project management in these pages as well as a
glossary
and
resources.
Other resources
ATN LEAP Program is a resource for postgraduate research students (and their supervisors) at universities in the Australian Technology Network, which 'gives you the opportunity to improve your employment skills while you study'. Contact Graduate Studies Office for more information.
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Project Management module covers:
- Developing detailed project definitions
- Project Planning: scoping, scheduling and budgeting for projects
- Quality Assurance, project communications, procurement planning and risk planning
- Controlling, closing and evaluating projects
Critical Path Analysis (Mind Tools): 'Critical Path Analysis is an extremely effective method of analysing a complex project. It helps you to calculate the minimum length of time in which the project can be completed, and which activities should be prioritised to complete by that date.' This site outlines the method for this process, including how to present the analysis.