1、Introduction to Tech Communication & Project Management,Arthur C.M. Chen 617 253-7312, Rm 38-460 acmchenalum.mit.edu,Motivation,Technical Leadership “Guiding head of a technical group” Two essential tools Communicate to customer and to your team Organize, plan and manage the technical project,Introd
2、uction:Simple advice on presentationIntroduction to project management,Think Before You Present,Who are your audience, why are they listening?What is one or two messages you want to leave with your audience? What is the message for each slide,Communicate the Essence,Who & where Technology and resear
3、ch group of interest Specific Professor or research staff What Specific thesis project idea some details Why Personal interest, Future opportunities, Financial support When Progress and plan this term and beyond,News story outline,Why Project Management,Diverse career opportunities Leadership role M
4、ost future activities are team and/or multi-organization oriented How to help teams to work together Startup business plans MEng Thesis Project Good learning vehicle,Project,Project: “an organized undertaking” Master of Engineering Thesis Project Finding a job Building a porch Buying a house Design
5、and manufacture a car (Large Program) Put a man on the moon (Huge Program),Project management: a discipline “Art and Science”,Project Management Objective,Achieve the project goal Do a great thesis on time Keep customers (e.g., Professors) happy Keep the team focus on the goal Make sure that team me
6、mbers work well Everyone shares the load ,Scope, Resources, Schedule & Customers,Concerns about Project Management,My work is research so that I cant plan it How can I commit to a schedule if I dont know how it will work out I dont have time to plan got to get it done,Project plan is a map and a gui
7、de No map, most likely to get lost Plan: understand risks and trade-offs Basis for systematic plan modification Mechanism for efficient communications,Framework: Project Cycle,Product Development Lifecycle,Product Spec.MarketingManufacturing,New Spec.MarketingNew Technology,Similar Framework,Project
8、 Management Process,Planning Project Definition, Scope, Buy-ins Mechanics of putting together a plan Tools: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) GANTT, PERT, etc. charts - computerized Tracking plan progress Communicate and follow-up Complete project Managing and control,Project Management,Scope, Resource
9、s, Schedule & Customers,Project Management,Project PlanningDefine objectiveDefine work/tasksIdentify resourcesPlan scheduleIteratePlan modification,Execution ManagementGet objective signed-offTrack plan progressCommunicate within teamCustomer communicationsSecure resourcesProject discipline,Technica
10、l,People,How to Get Started,Start with the essence of what you are trying to do Draw a block diagram of your system “Architecture” Do a high level flow chart of your software Identify modules Postulate the end result of your prototype User interface, typical use scenarios List all possible tasks tha
11、t needed to be done Organize tasks Do some or all of above,Mechanism of Planning,Define project objective Define work breakdown structure (WBS) Identify tasks and subtasks - deliverables Lowest element stand alone work package Identify tasks relationship Identify possible risks Estimate work package
12、s (people, time, etc.) Create initial schedule Iterate plan Document,Ex: WBS - Buy A House,Top Down Decomposition, Elemental Tasks,Network Diagrams,Scheduling Techniques PERT Program Evaluation and Review techniques CPM Critical Path Method,Buy a House,Simple Gantt Chart View,Possible Application,Un
13、derstand the scope of your goal Define your objective Define tasks and work breakdown structure Develop project plan Review plan, iterate Document thesis proposal,Thesis ideas,Thesis Proposal,Concept,System Design (Architecture),Tech. FoundationCapabilitiesGoal,Systems analysis/ SynthesisProject pla
14、nningThesis proposal,(May 10),Some Estimation Considerations,Completeness in definition of tasks and interfaces Time for meetings and communications The range of abilities of team members Experience with similar job/ tasks Learning time for new equipment or software Availability of special facilitie
15、s,Earlier identification of unknowns or risks A priori calculations concerns but may not be a show stopper (especially in R&D),Closing Summary,Project Management Lead an endeavor Planning is a map, a guide, especially for a team Relatively simple and helpful techniques Management is mostly about people Goal, discipline, communicate Risks are inevitable, planning helps to avoid stupid ones Experience counts Assessing the scope of work, timing, risks,Risks are Essential in Achievements Luck is an Element of Success,Historical Perspective,Phases,Use,Methods,
