Structured Project Management and Processes
Appointment, Induction and Initial Meeting
The CEED scholar signs an Undertaking to complete their appointment to the project. The CEED office will notify you when the appointment is completed. As soon as possible after this, the project team (Scholar, Mentor and Supervisor) should gather for an initial project meeting – it is the Scholar’s responsibility to coordinate this meeting, though any member of the team may take the lead. The Scholar will also participate in the CEED induction program at the first opportunity.
Site Work (Full Projects)
In full projects, the Scholar will spend 8 weeks on site working on the project – this is usually on the client’s premises, though for some project the time may be most usefully spent on campus, depending on the needs of the research. For the end of year intake, this will take place at the start of the project, shortly after appointment – for the mid-year intake, the Scholar will spend second semester working on campus and then work on site during the summer vacation.
Project Brief Preparation and Approval
After 8-12 weeks, the Scholar will prepare the first draft of the Project Brief, which sets out the objectives, methodology, sources of resources and most importantly the final deliverables for the project. The Scholar, Supervisor, Mentor and CEED Director all sign off on the Project Brief, and it usually takes 1-2 drafts for all parties to be satisfied. The Scholar receives the first instalment of their studentship once the Brief has been signed by all parties.
Students Meet Academic Requirements and Provide Monthly Reporting Throughout
During the academic semester, the Scholars will continue to work on the project (and must be enrolled in the appropriate research project unit). Scholars usually retain access to the client’s site during the semester, and many choose to spend time on site with their client during the semester. The students will prepare monthly status reports, which will be circulated to all stakeholders. CEED Scholars are enrolled in the appropriate academic project unit for their discipline, and your supervision approach should essentially be as it usually is for that unit – with the exception that it is important to hold regular team meetings including all supervisors and the client staff.
CEED Seminar and Client Presentations
In September each year, CEED Scholars present their work at the CEED seminar. Each Scholar has a 15 minute public presentation, and prepares a 6 page paper. The presentations and papers must be approved by the client for public release – expect your Scholars to seek your feedback early, as they must typically submit the proposed presentations and papers 3-4 weeks in advance to permit review and approval. In most cases, CEED Scholars will need to present at confidential sessions in school conferences, and will typically submit their thesis as confidential – it is important that your school has mechanisms to handle this.
Deliverables Provided to Complete Project
The academic end of the project comes when the Scholar submits their thesis for examination. To complete the project, the Scholar will submit the deliverables defined in the project brief within 4 weeks of submitting their thesis. It is normal for the project team to gather for a closeout meeting to transfer their deliverables and wrap up any outstanding issues. After the deliverables are accepted, your share of the $2000 supervisors allowance will be transferred to your operating account.