Project management Project management via schedules Project management via principles What gives energy in the process?

Project management

• Project management via schedules

• Project management via principles

• What gives energy in the process?

Jan Feb Mar Apr Maj Jun Jul AugValg af emne

Valg af vejleder

Litteratur-studier

Metode-overvejel-ser

Valg af case

Data-indsamling

Analyse

Rapport-skrivning

Redigering

Forberede forsvar

Marts

Uge 10 Uge 11 Uge 12 Uge 13

Din tids-fordeling

Man Tir Ons Tor Fre Lør søn

Formiddag

Kl.

Eftermiddag

Kl.

Aften

Kl.

Project management - via schedules

7 months Month Week DayPlan the overall long-term more detail on a monthly basis Prioritize on weekly basis Prioritize on dauly basis

Jan Feb Mar Apr Maj Jun Jul AugValg af emne

Valg af vejleder

Litteratur-studier

Metode-overvejel-ser

Valg af case

Data-indsamling

Analyse

Rapport-skrivning

Redigering

Forberede forsvar

Marts

Uge 10 Uge 11 Uge 12 Uge 13

Din tids-fordeling

Man Tir Ons Tor Fre Lør søn

Formiddag

Kl.

Eftermiddag

Kl.

Aften

Kl.

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar AprChoice of subject

Supervisor

Literature studies

Methodological considerations

Selection of case

Data collection

Analysis

Thesis writing

Editing

Prepare defense

Planning of the thesis process - traditional

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar AprMeetings in the reading group

Seminar:How to search for litt. & handle references

Exam - Elective

Christmas holidays

Grandma's 80 birthday

Friends wedding

Skiing holiday

Etc.

Etc.

... more can be added to the planning of the master thesis’ process

Time Manage-ment

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Morning

Thesis Thesis Thesis Thesis Thesis spare time spare time

Afternoon

Thesis Thesis Thesis Thesis Thesis spare time Exercise

Evening

Work spare time Exercise Work spare time spare time Work

Time allocation - Example 1

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Morning

Work Exercise Thesis Work Thesis Spare time Thesis

Afternoon

Work Thesis Thesis Work Thesis Spare time Exercise

Evening

Work Spare time Thesis Spare time Spare time Spare time Thesis

Time allocation - Example 2

Time Manage-ment

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Formiddag

Kl.

Eftermiddag

Kl.

Aften

Kl.

Decide how you will spend your time Be conscious of your choice (also in the process) Have a clear conscience, when you have decided to do other things than working on the thesis Plan the way which gives you energyIf you don’t follow your plan- find out why (adjust the schedule and add something that provides energy)Important to make a realistic plan

Project management via principles

• I want to read 100 pages this week

• I will understand/learn a particular substance this week

• My study activity depends on how much tired I am

• Which tasks I work on depends on what I am motivated to (collect data, read, write ...)

• I want to study X hours per. week

• Etc.

Overview Planning

Create Overview - no details

Plan by listing the tasks - Break the task down into smaller parts, make ‘to do’ lists

Prioritize tasks - Distinguish between what is important and what is urgent

You need a plan - And be prepared for, that it does not last

Planning and prioritization

Revision of the schedule: •Get it done! •Respond quickly •Consider the consequences •Take the necessary decisions •Create a new realistic plan (time or principles) •Consider different scenarios •You may talk to supervisor / case company /

family / partner / friends

What gives you energy? - Use it!!

When do you work best and most concentrated?

Today's energy curve Your energy curve

Concentration Concentration

Time Time

Planning and prioritization

How can tasks be prioritized?

Importance

Urgence

B A

D C

low high

high

low

Urgent and important

Urgent but can be solved by others or is not important

Important - When the dead-ine approaches they are changed to ‘A’

Not urgent and not important - archived !!!!!!!!!!

Planning and prioritization

What interrupts?

100 %

Efficiency

Time

Saw blade effect

Efficiency gap

Planning and prioritization

Consider how your time is spent ...

Limit distractions! -Use of phone and mails all the time-Continuous interruptions -Less important tasks to be done first-No priorities of tasks -Waiting time.. supervisor, case company etc.-'Crises' and unexpected situations-Lack of self-discipline -Etc.

Use time waiters! -Plan your day -Do one thing at a time -Take Breaks -Agree with others, when a disturbance is OK (in the periods where possible)-Streamline meetings, to be effective -Prioritize tasks -End the day with a sum up and an overview of the next day (What to do first)

Think about what works,

what gives you energy and

what previously has worked and

given you energy

- Keep doing that!

If what you do, does not work

- Try something new or something else!