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PROJECT MANAGEMENT BITE-SIZE NUGGETS

Magreth Mushi, PhD, PMP

AERPAW Platform Director and Researcher

North Carolina State University

Bryttany Todd

Deputy Director of Research Operations

RENCI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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What PI Promised

What PI Delivered

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What PI Promised

What PI Delivered

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THE CRITICAL PATH

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

AVOID

  • SCOPE CREEP
  • BUDGET OVERRUN
  • NO-COST EXTENSIONS

RISKS MANAGEMENT

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

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CHANGE MANAGEMENT

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WHY CHANGE MANAGEMENT

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  • Do we have a robust change management process?
  • How are the changes affecting the budget/timeline/risks?
  • Who approves/denies

Critical Questions

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RISKS MANAGEMENT

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Source: https://aptien.com/en/kb/articles/risk-management

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Risk Strategies?

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WHY RISK MANAGEMENT

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  • What are the critical risks, and how are they being mitigated?
  • Who are the risk owners?
  • How are risks being monitored?
  • When do we review and reassess risks?

Critical Questions

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THE CRITICAL �PATH

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CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS

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WHY CRITICAL PATH

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  • What is our critical path?
  • Where are we in our critical path?
  • Have we diverged from the critical path?

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Critical Questions

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Performance Analysis

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CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS

Ensures Transparency and Support Data-Driven Decision-Making

Cost Performance Index

Measures the cost efficiency of a project by comparing the planned budget to the actual costs incurred

Key Performance Parameters

Defines the scope of success for the project using a threshold and optimal metrics.

Work Breakdown Structure/Milestones

A hierarchical breakdown of a project into smaller, manageable components, informing the scope of and resources for the project.

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“And, But, Therefore”

A narrative technique coined by Andy Olsen

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CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS

KPP: There are conferences that acknowledge certain testbeds/facilities as a reproducibility resource; We plan for FABRIC to be listed as a reproducibility resource at 1-2 conferences.

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Next Step Options

  1. FABRIC Guide for Users
  2. FABRIC Team Member to join an Artifact Evaluation Committee
  3. Create a Resource via Collaboration

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Solution: Option 1 linked on INDIS website.

Reproducibility Example

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WHY ANALYSIS

Key Concept: Reporting Helps Principal Investigators Manage Their Projects

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Reports provide insights that support scope management, resource allocation, and decision-making.

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Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) allow teams to assess multiple paths to achieving a goal and select the most efficient option based on time and budget constraints.

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The Cost Performance Index (CPI) helps track performance and ensure projects stay on course.

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Example: Choosing the Best Path Using KPPs

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Scenario: A team has three potential approaches to complete a project.

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By analyzing KPPs (e.g., cost, time, impact), they can determine the most effective path.

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Reporting ensures transparency and supports data-driven decision-making.

Manage Your Project

Provide insights that support scope management, resource allocation, and decision-making.

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Key Performance Parameters

Cost Performance Index

Telling the Right Story

A well-structured report should communicate the project’s success and impact.

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Work Breakdown Structure/Milestones

And, But, Therefore (ABT)

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  • What are the project’s objectives, and how are they measured?
  • How do KPPs support the definition of success?
  • How do the results compare to initial expectations?
  • What does the NSF care about? What questions are they asking?
  • How are you telling your project’s story?

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Critical Questions

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THANK YOU

Dr. Magreth Mushi

mjmushi@ncsu.edu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/magrethmushi/

Bryttany Todd

btodd@renci.org