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Section 1: GETTING IT RIGHT UP FRONT: THE BIG QUESTIONS
Step Five: How am I going to manage the project most effectively?
To help you manage the project, the researcher(s), the expectations and the agendas of your various partners and stakeholders you will probably need a steering group.
While steering groups should represent the broad interests of all those involved in the project, to be effective they need to be manageable and have a consistent membership.
The more people on the group, the more difficult it will be to find times when everyone can meet, and the more likely you are to experience loss of focus, unhelpful challenges or a clash of agendas.
As project manager you should report to the steering group which may choose to elect its own chair. To avoid any potential confusion make sure you alone are named as the researcher’s point of contact.
Remember that these projects do not always produce the information or results you or your stakeholders expected, anticipated or wanted. But if you keep everyone informed and stay in close touch with the project yourself the final report or outcome should not hold any shocks.
"one night the chairman rang me demanding I show him all my information before showing anyone else.
Luckily I was able to refer him to my contract which stated quite clearly that my first point of contact was the project manager"
Consultant
Health Warning: if you work in a local authority try to ensure you have cross-party support for your project up front. This will be essential if the political climate changes through your research project or during any implementation phase.
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