How do you apply agile or lean methodologies to your research project management?
由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持
Before you start your research project, you need to have a clear and specific idea of what you want to achieve and why. This will help you align your research activities with your stakeholders' expectations and needs, and avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant or low-priority tasks. You can use tools such as SMART goals, user stories, or value propositions to define your research goals and scope in a concise and measurable way.
-
Decide on the What, When, How, and Where for the burning issues to be resolved. I use a time-honored simple method to help focus on DECISION CRITICAL WORK. Imagine the feeling of space you would have if the single most important task on your responsibility list was completed today. Take a few 3 by 5 cards and write out the overarching goal for each one. Use a favorite pen. Sort the cards in order of importance based on: deadline for completion and probability for completion in one day. Add the technology and platform(s) to focus on for each objective. Assess at the end of each day, reprioritize based on progress and repeat. As projects are completed and decisions made, innovate to expand your scope and enhance your planning strategy.
-
In my experience doing research in the humanities for foreign cultural institutions, I have found that agile principles work well. Following guidelines leads to customer satisfaction and continuous invitations to do participate in research projects. To avoid burnout and boredom, a personal time management plan leads to better production, knowledge of the question being researched and the "buzz" researchers get when the answer is found.
One of the core features of agile and lean methodologies is to divide your project into short and manageable iterations, also known as sprints or cycles. Each iteration has a defined duration, usually between one and four weeks, and a set of deliverables, such as prototypes, reports, or presentations. By breaking down your project into iterations, you can focus on delivering value to your stakeholders in small increments, and adapt to changing requirements or feedback along the way.
-
I like to use the minimal viable progress concept I read in Greg McKeown's, Essentialism. First, identify the bottleneck. What is the most important factor standing in your way of making progress on your current project? Next, what is the simplest product you can create that will be useful for your colleagues/intended audience so that you can get feedback on what's working and what needs improvement. This way you can quickly uncover a connection between what you're thinking (e.g, possible research question/analysis plan) and relevancy to key stakeholders. By starting small and early, you can go through mini quality improvement cycles while stacking small wins and producing a more useful product.
At the beginning of each iteration, you need to plan and prioritize your research tasks for that period. You can use tools such as kanban boards, backlog lists, or scrum meetings to organize your tasks and track your progress. You should prioritize your tasks based on their importance, urgency, and feasibility, and assign them to your team members according to their skills and availability. You should also estimate the time and resources needed for each task, and set realistic deadlines and expectations.
-
Planning a sprint/iteration consists of a focusing on a narrow set of objectives with a pre-determined priority level, urgency and timeline and this helps the team better mobilize resources to accomplish these objectives efficiently. We even use teams and task lists to keep track of progress as it is happening and this also allows for greater transparency within the team.
Agile and lean methodologies emphasize teamwork and communication as essential elements for successful project management. You should involve your team members and stakeholders in every stage of your research project, from planning to execution to evaluation. You should communicate regularly and transparently, using tools such as online platforms, chat apps, or video calls, and share your findings, challenges, and feedback. You should also encourage collaboration and innovation among your team members, and foster a culture of trust and respect.
Another key feature of agile and lean methodologies is to test and evaluate your research outcomes frequently and systematically, using methods such as experiments, surveys, or interviews. By testing and evaluating your outcomes, you can validate your assumptions, measure your impact, and identify areas for improvement. You should also collect and analyze data from your tests and evaluations, and use them to inform your decisions and actions for the next iteration.
The final principle of agile and lean methodologies is to learn and improve from your research experience, using tools such as retrospectives, lessons learned, or feedback loops. At the end of each iteration, you should reflect on what went well and what went wrong, and what you can do better next time. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from your team members and stakeholders, and use it to enhance your research quality and efficiency. You should also celebrate your achievements and recognize your efforts, and use them to motivate yourself and your team for the next iteration.
-
Through the exploration and appreciation of varied opinions, this practice offers insights from cultural, historical, and social contexts. Ultimately, all knowledge derived and exchanged throughout the research experience leads to a rich and rewarding collaborative process.
更多相关阅读内容
-
Healthcare ManagementYou're managing a healthcare project. What approach should you take: traditional or agile?
-
Business CommunicationsWhat do you do if your agile business communication project needs project management methodologies?
-
Administrative AssistanceHow can you use project management methodologies to emphasize agility and adaptability?
-
Computer ScienceHow can Agile project management help you deliver projects faster?