Project Management for Research

Adedeji B. Badiru, PhD, is dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He previously was professor and head of Systems Engineering and Management at the AFIT, professor and department head of Industrial & Information Engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and professor of Industrial Engineering and dean of University College at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. He is a registered professional engineer (PE), a certified project management professional (PMP), a fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. Major Christina F. Rusnock, PhD, is an assistant professor of Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), a faculty research fellow for AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management, and program chair of the Systems Engineering Distance Learning Program. She is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Association of Military Industrial Engineers. She earned her BA in economics-government from Claremont McKenna College, an MS in research and development management from AFIT, and an MS and a PhD in industrial engineering from the University of Central Florida. Major Vhance V. Valencia, PhD, is an assistant professor of Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He currently is a faculty research fellow for AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management, director of the Graduate Engineering Management program, a registered professional engineer (PE), and a member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). He earned his BS in mechanical engineering from San Diego State University and then pursued his graduate studies at AFIT, earning his MS in engineering management and PhD in systems engineering.

AN INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR RESEARCH. Defining project management for research. Personal aspects of graduate education. PREPLANNING AND EXPLORATION: WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO? Choosing your research topic. Choosing your advisor and committee. Research question. PLANNING: MAKING A SCHEDULE AND GETTING ORGANIZED! Scheduling. Organization. PROJECT EXECUTION AND CONTROL. Time management. On the personal aspects of research. Managing your research advisor. PROJECT PHASE-OUT: WHEN IS RESEARCH COMPLETE? Communicating your work. Appendices.