Research & Evaluation Project Management for Project Leaders

Description:

Introduction/Overview

Anyone asked to conduct a research or evaluation project or study - small or large - faces the challenge of how best to manage this. University and professional training in research (and evaluation) principles and methods have long neglected this vital aspect of successfully delivering projects. More recently, shrinking budgets and timetables (but not expectations) have added to the challenges for principal investigators and others leading the design and delivery of projects and intensified the need for more structured approaches to project management. Using a mixture of shared slides, interactive sessions and exercises in small groups, this practical course provides an intensive introduction to how to rise to these challenges using tried and tested methods. It is aimed at participants from all sectors, those new to project management in research and evaluation, and those who may have some experience but are looking to widen their knowledge of structured approaches.

NB. A parallel course, Management for Commissioned Research and Evaluation, focuses on the different project management challenges and skills needed for those specifying and commissioning externally contracted projects. The two separate courses can be taken separately over one day or together over two consecutive days.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• To introduce the role of effective project management in the project cycle
• To be aware of what underpins effective research project management
• To consider what makes an effective project framework plan, and how it is used to meet realistic research and evaluation needs
• To review the use of team resources, task allocation and roles systems in effective design and delivery of research and evaluation studies
• To identify pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Topics:

The course will cover:

• The four-pillar ‘deliberative’ approach to effective design and delivery of research and evaluation projects
• Setting a fit for purpose management framework and project plan which meets realistic expectations for research or evaluation deliverables
• Using the project cycle approach to plan the organisation of the project, team roles and responsibilities, and for its oversight and delivery controls
• Managing to meet research and user needs through purposeful task management, identifying and avoiding risks and pitfalls
• Meeting challenges of R&E team management by balancing ‘control’ with ‘empowerment’
• Using appropriate information and communications technology - options for research management templates and managing intra-team communication.

Who will benefit?

Social researchers across sectors who are new to research project management or who wish to extend their knowledge of systematic approaches to managing the design and delivery of research and evaluation projects.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Have a broad understanding of the contribution of project management in meeting client and funders expectations of research
• Have a practical awareness of the success factors (and constraints) that contribute to effective design and delivery of research and evaluation projects
• Have an awareness of how to manage team resources, roles, responsibilities and systems to support effective and on-time delivery
• Have an understanding of how to apply this awareness responsively to effective research project planning, problem solving and delivery.

Course tutor

Prof. David Parsons is a practising policy researcher and programme evaluator, advisor and lead tutor for SRAs evaluation practitioner development programme. David has wide experience of managing both commissioned and grant funded studies having directed or co-directed nearly 60 independent evaluation and policy research studies in the last 20 years. Much of this experience has been gained in the demanding environment of inquiry and analysis for public policy and programmes with studies for nine government departments, arms-length bodies, non-departmental agencies, and for devolved government. He has also led cross-national teams for international bodies including the European Commission, ILO and most recently for OECD.

Author of Demystifying Evaluation (Policy Press, 2017), and Purposeful Evaluation (Policy Press, forthcoming) he was elected to the Academy of Social Science in 2018 for contributions to cross-conceptual evaluation practices. David is an advisor to the HM Treasury and Cabinet Office Evaluation Task Force and a member of its Evaluation Trial and Advice Panel where he has contributed to advisory surgeries for four departments and provided several ‘expert’ (peer) reviews for interim and final evaluation reports.

Cost:

£180 for SRA members, £235 for non-members

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Data Collection, Data Quality and Data Management , Research Management and Impact, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Quality and Data Management
Research Management and Impact
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Back to the training database