Background
Methods
Planning the project
Managing the project
Closing the project
Strongly agree n (%) | Agree n (%) | Unsure n (%) | Not applicable n (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Statements taken directly from the purpose of the project management plan
| ||||
The use of project management assisted in the delivery of defined project outcomes | 7 (46.7) | 7 (46.7) | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
The use of project management assisted in the process of communicating and integrating project work across multiple organisations and professions | 10 (66.7) | 5 (33.3) | 0 | 0 |
The use of project management assisted in clarifying and agreeing goals | 10 (66.7) | 4 (26.7) | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
The use of project management assisted in identifying resources needed for the project | 8 (53.3) | 4 (26.7) | 3 (20.0) | 0 |
The use of project management ensured accountability for results and performance | 8 (53.3) | 6 (40.0) | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
The use of project management fostered a focus on the benefits to be achieved | 6 (40.0) | 8 (53.3) | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
The project manager responded to my questions or comments that were related to the project | 12 (80.0) | 1 (6.7) | 1 (6.7) | 1 (6.7) |
My expectations were met regarding the frequency and content of information conveyed to me by the project manager | 12 (80.0) | 3 (20.0) | 0 | 0 |
The Steering Committee meetings were conducted effectively | 8 (53.3) | 5 (33.3) | 0 | 2 (13.3) |
The format and content of the Project Status Report informed me adequately | 8 (53.3) | 5 (33.3) | 2 (13.3) | 0 |
Project issues were communicated adequately throughout the term of the project | 10 (66.7) | 3 (20.0) | 1 (6.7) | 1 (6.7) |
Project issues were managed effectively during the project | 10 (66.7) | 3 (20.0) | 2 (13.3) | 0 |
Sufficient time was allocated to review the project outputs (the resources for health professionals) | 8 (53.3) | 5 (33.3) | 2 (13.3) | 0 |
I was satisfied with my involvement in the project | 9 (60.0) | 6 (40.0) | 0 | 0 |
The project met my expectations in terms of effort, time and commitment | 9 (60.0) | 5 (33.3) | 1 (6.7) | 0 |
Researchers' (n = 15) opinions |
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All processes relating to the organisation of the project were streamlined and all involved in the study were kept up to date at all times. |
Allowed a good degree of professionalism to develop ensuring that even minor details were accounted for. |
Gave everyone the feeling that they were heard and had a valuable contribution. |
Kept individuals to task and up to date with each other. Facilitated communication and problem solving and pre-empted and prevented some potential problems occurring. |
Allowed efficiency. |
I feel that the project management was effective. It enabled the project to be run according to a defined plan and schedule. |
I think it made a major contribution towards being a very well organised and professional project. |
In this case the project manager has excellent organisational skill so the project management tool in and of itself was really a support document. For less capable and organised project managers this tool would play a more important role. |
Organisation of this multifaceted project, specifying and achieving project goals and coordinating staff tasking was facilitated by the explicit use of the project management plan. |
The consistent reporting, the clarity of reporting and the attention to all the relevant issues at each step of the project. |
I think that it clarified everybody's role in the project. It was an effective way of ensuring the project achieved its research goals, was on time, under budget and produce excellent outputs. It was also important in providing updates of other projects and initiating other research projects. |
It enables the process and outputs to be kept up to date. Also kept on track what was at times a complex program of research. |
Kept it on track, on budget, effective and efficient. |
Supported the establishment and maintenance of teamwork as Steering Committee and project team members were clear on expectations and roles. Established and facilitated effective methods of communication and decision making through regular planned meetings and reporting structures which in turn allowed for expertise within the committee to be utilised and drawn upon easily. Kept the project on track and adhering to the agreed timeframe as milestones were clearly defined. |
The project management plan was helpful, probably more so at the beginning of the project when I referred to it often but not as much as the project went on. |
Researchers' (n = 15) opinions |
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Clearly defined roles for the key project organisers facilitated all aspects of the study. |
Need for pre-arranged and regular meetings and good documentation. |
The benefits of inclusion eg. for myself who was not onsite. Despite this I felt there were ample opportunities for me to express any concerns. |
Being able to specify who does what and when (timeline) was invaluable to ensuring that tasks were completed in a timely manner. |
For me personally it was the accountability of tasks. It did not appear that anything fell off the radar as tasks were allocated and a note kept of the task work and completion. |
Objective on-task focus enabled project direction, obstacle avoidance and project completion. |
The importance of documentation from start to finish. |
Have the project team meet separately and feed into the Steering Committee. |
Setting up monthly meetings same time and venue appeared to facilitate attendance by committee members attending from various organisations. Having a very organised project manager was crucial to the success of the project management and this degree of organisation in communication, planning and decision making allowed for committee members to offer the project their expertise despite many other commitments. It was an effective structure to have the project team situated within the Steering Committee. This allowed the project team members to work intensively together on specific tasks and allowed that small group to be equipped with the necessary detailed knowledge of those tasks to make effective decisions on behalf of the Steering Committee. Having a dedicated note-taker was a real asset. This allowed for objective informed detailed and accurate records and fast circulation of notes to committee members. |
The constant attention to detail that was documented meticulously and circulated regularly. |
The importance of identifying and documenting each step of the project at the beginning and setting timelines and also identifying potential risks. |
The project management document provided a sound foundation for managing the project. It highlighted the importance of someone taking on the role of project manager. Spend the time needed to set the project management structure and processes up at the beginning which was done for this project, rather than as you go. Fix dates for meeting-as was done for this project. |
Don't know (n = 1). |
No response (n = 2). |
Researchers' (n = 15) opinions |
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It is always more difficult being off site than regularly seeing and interacting with the project team but this should not deter inclusion of people off site. |
There appeared to be an awful lot of reading for someone who was not directly working on the project. |
Dissemination in journal articles has not really happened-perhaps we could have built in more effective plans for that. |
Main difficulty for me was the unfamiliarity of this formal project management-will be much better next time it is used but I'm not sure I could use it myself without some formal training. |
The committee meeting agendas were very structured. For the most part this facilitated the effectiveness of the meeting in addressing the agenda, however at times may have restricted or prevented the opportunity for open discussion or workshopping of ideas amongst the committee. So while the structured agenda did work well on some aspects I feel that if it was slightly more flexible this would have been valuable also and enhanced input by committee members. |
I can't think of anything (n = 3). |
Not aware of any (n = 1). |
Nothing (n = 1) |
Don't know (n = 2). |
No response (n = 3). |
Researchers' (n = 15) opinions |
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Yes definitely. It would be difficult to be involved in a study that does not have such an effective project management structure after being part of this project. |
Absolutely I am endeavouring to develop the same project management for my own fellowship research project. |
Worthwhile model that could be adopted by all projects. |
Definitely. Learning about and being involved in this type of project management has been one of the greatest personal outcomes for me in being a part of this project. The lessons learned and experience of this project management will now be a part of my involvement in any future studies. |
I think this is a suitable project management approach for projects over a certain funding eg. $150,000. I don't think that I would recommend all of the elements that were used for small projects. |
Yes and I have already recommended it! |
Yes. I already use it with my research students as a demonstration of how a project should be conducted. |
Yes (n = 8). |
No response (n = 1). |