Strategy and Project Management in the Academic Setting
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Transcript of Strategy and Project Management in the Academic Setting
Strategy and Project Management in the Academic Setting
What best practices from industry can be applied within the academic
setting?
What best practices from industry can be applied within the
academic setting?
Coulter Program at USC:Portfolio of 15 projects currently
Industry and Academia Have Differing Goals and Metrics of Success
• Industry focuses on translation and products - scientists pursue tangible entities (validated targets, novel molecules, biomarker assays, medical devices) Measure of success : $$$
• Academia focus basic research knowledge creation though basic research and dissemination of knowledge Measure of success : Tenure
Principles of effectiveness in managing project progression apply equally in both settings – project advancement is fundamental to
both
Project Progression is a Team Sport in Industry
• Many disciplines and functions are need to move projects forward (eg. Chemists, biologists, toxicologist, pharmacologists, engineers, manufacturers, lawyers, marketers)
• Highly effective use of multiple resources serves the purpose of translation
• In contrast there are incentives (getting tenure) for academics to lean towards individual research in order to substantiate significant impact
A Multidisciplinary Approach Can Be Dilutive to Your Perceived Impact
Consider how to bring additional expertise to your project (collaborators, consultants, contractors) especially If you are translationally-oriented
Principles of Project Management
Phases of Project Management
Cornerstones of Effective Project Management
Initiation
Planning
Execution
Monitoring
Closing
Milestone-based
Accountability
Managing Risk
Initiation & Planning of Projects
• Assemble team o think about external experts!o student timelines with less flexibility
• Identify goals, establish milestones/aims• Create a project plan (simple or detailed)o Specific project activities & taskso Timing of activitieso Inter-dependencies among work streamso Costo Important milestones
Project Plan and Timeline to Execute and Monitor Project Progress:
Microsoft Gantt Chart is an Industry Standard
Simplified Project Plan and Timeline Modeled After Gantt Chart (NIH)
High Level Project Plan and Timeline to Track Progress Against Project Activities
Accountability
• Regularly scheduled team meetings• Create agendas for team meetings and follow
them• Team meeting minutes with ACTION ITEMS
assigned to team members• Review ACTION ITEMS at next team meeting
to ensure they have been completed• Careful tracking of documentation/data
Managing Risks
• Identify risks and have some form of mitigation for these risks
• Supplement your team with complementary skill sets
• Formulate endpoints and pivot if necessary
Build optionality into your project plans and make adjustments to your research direction as you build your information base
Some Important Issues for Academic Laboratories You Need to Think About
• Research data retention• Research data organization and storage• Industry utilizes electronic laboratory notebooks and has
extensive infrastructure to support capturing work product, data and inventions
Problem: data walking out the door Solution: centralized data management
Data Management Tools
Central Desktop:
• Electronic Filing System for Documents & Data
• Functionality for Tracking Project Plans & Timelines
• Reporting and Monitoring• A Collaboration Tool
Integrated Project Management Systems for Project Tracking and Information Reporting
Best Practices from Industry that Can Be Leveraged by Academia in Managing Your Projects
• Defined milestones• Defined project needs / resources• Mapping of timelines• Team building with complementary team skills • Data management and storage
Principles of effectiveness in managing project progression should apply equally in both settings – project advancement is fundamental to both
Contact Information
Christine Matheson
Director, USC - Coulter Translational Partnership
University of Southern California
email: [email protected]
mobile: 805-368-6662