ciara o’ sullivan second lecture 23.11.2004

Seminars 2004

Ciara O’ Sullivan

Second Lecture

23.11.2004

Concise Writing & Research Planning

Seminars 2004

Overview of class

Guide to writing concisely syntax tutorial

Guidelines to writing abstracts

Guidelines to planning research identification of tasks task timing and resources GANTT and PERT charts MS Project contingency planning

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1. Word choice

a. Delete uninformative words and avoid redundancy

b. Use one word to replace a phrase

c. Avoid grandiloquence or grandiose phrasing

d. Avoid clichés and euphemisms

e. Use synonyms

2. Sentence structure

a. Agreement of subject and verb

b. Pronoun reference

c. Active and passive voice

d. Nouns from verbs

e. American and British styles

3. Paragraph structure

Common syntax errors

(syntax = [rules for] sentence building)

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a. Delete uninformative words and avoid redundancyExamples:

brief in duration

sufficient in number

The wound was of a serious nature

The rock is red in color

It was precooled before use

We repeated the experiment again and again

1. Word choice

A paper will be more readable if words are used economically. Writing concisely may be contrary to common practice in some countries where authors are paid by the number of words published! Remember, your goal is to facilitate communication, which is accomplished through concise and lucid writing in a well-organized manner.

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past history;

mix together;

original source;

advance planning;

globular in shape;

more preferable than;

seem to appear;

for a period of two days;

the work will be completed in the not-too-distant future;

The reaction rate was examined and found to vary considerably;

The results would seem to indicate the possibility that impurities might be present;

As far as my own experiments are concerned, they show…;

It has been found that … ;

It is interesting to note that … (del);

Needless to say, … (del).

1. Word choice

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b. Use one word to replace a phrase

At this point of timeThe reason was becauseIn view of the fact thatWas observed to beIn the near futureIn most casesIt would appear thatIs suggestive ofAs to whetherIn the vicinity ofIt was evident thatIn the event that

Now

Many popular expressions can be expressed as a single word, or are better omitted altogether.

For example,

BecauseBecauseWasSoonMostlyDeleteSuggestsWhetherNearEvidentlyIf (should)

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The word grandiloquence is itself grandiose. It implies a pompous style that impresses no one and provokes ridicule.

Conciseness and clarity should apply to scientific writing.

Compare the following sentences:

Computations were conducted on the data - The data were calculated.

It may seem reasonable to suggest that the necrotic effect may possibly due to toxins - Necrosis may be caused by toxins.

In studies pertaining to identification of phenolic derivatives, drying of the paper gives less satisfactory visualization - Phenolic derivatives are easier to see if the paper is left wet.

A method, which was found to be expedient and not very difficult to accomplish and which possessed a high degree of accuracy on the results, was devised whereby …. - An easy, accurate way to …

c. Avoid grandiloquence or grandiose phrasing

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cliché - [fr] printing plate; negative; phototype; = « banalité »; chenqiang landiao

euphemism - eu (= well), phem (= to speak); weiwan de shuofa

e.g., eugenics, eulogy, euphony (pleasing sound), euthanasia (an-le-si)

Clichés and euphemisms are rarely helpful and often cryptic (secret, with a hidden meaning or a meaning not easily seen).

all in all - (delete) if and when – if

Some common euphemisms are simply awkward; For ex.,

The patient expired; The patient passed away; The patient succumbed;

The patient breathed his last; The patient has gone to his rest.

These can be replaced by « The patient died »


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The following terms are usually better omitted or rephrased:

a majority of,

an order of magnitude faster,

are of the same opinion,

as a consequence of,

as a matter of fact,

as seen from our study it is evident that,

based on the fact that,

first of all,

for the reason that,

has the capacity of,

in a satisfactory manner,

it has long been known that,

it is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding,

owing to the fact that,

the question as to whether,

there is reason to believe.


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e. Use of synonyms

A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. The principal reason to employ synonyms is to avoid monotony from using the same term repeatedly. For ex.,

The subject demonstrated a marked sensitivity to the allergen. After receiving the medication, she showed marked improvement. This is a marked medical achievement.

Improved version: The subject demonstrated a marked sensitivity to the allergen. After receiving the medication, she showed significant improvement. This is an extraordinary medical achievement.

Synonyms for common words can be found in a thesaurus, a dictionary, and some word processing programs. Understanding the nuances of synonyms can be difficult for non-native-anglophone people. The best way to improve your grasp is to read English-language authors and practice your own writing.

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1. Agreement of subject and verb

The number of the verb must agree with the number of the subject. e.g.

From this work has come improved antibiotic drugs.

From this work have come improved antibiotic drugs.

An evaluation of the experimental results, as well as the clinical findings, are described.

An evaluation of the experimental results, as well as the clinical findings, is described.

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2. Recognising irregular plurals. (for ex., a common mistake is to use a singular verb with data, formulae, and radii)

3. When singular and plural subjects are joined by either … or and neither … nor, the verb must agree with the nearest subject.For ex., - Either the samples or the apparatus were contaminated.- Either the samples or the apparatus was contaminated. (correct)

Note - Either and neither always take a singular verb. For ex.,

Either of the explanations is acceptable;Neither of the samples is large.

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b. Pronoun reference

An antecedent is the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers. A sentence may be confusing if the pronoun and its antecedent are not clearly identifiable. A missing antecedent cannot be assumed to be « obvious from the context », and an ambiguous reference should always be corrected. e.g., The monkey was operated on by the surgeon when he was 6 weeks old. (who was 6 weeks old?)

The ambiguity is removed by positioning the pronoun closer to its antecedent: The monkey, when he was 6 weeks old, was operated on by….

Better still is to move the relative clause to the beginning, where it will not separate the subject from the principal verb: When he was 6 weeks old, the monkey was operated on by …..

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c. Active and passive voice

English verbs have two voices: active and passive. In the active voice, the subject performs the action, while in the passive voice the subject receives the action. As fashions change with time, so does the style of scientific writing. Prior to 1900, scientists routinely used the active voice and personal pronouns in their reports, making such statements as, « I made the following experiment », « I cannot say », ‘I would point out that … ». Then the passive voice gradually gained popularity, perhaps from the belief that its impersonal style denoted greater professionalism. However, the consistent overuse and misuse of the passive voice devitalized scientific writing.

Today, the trend is once again turned toward clarity of expression and the freer, more concise writing that results from habitual use of the active voice. Style experts now prefer the active voice, which is more direct, sounds more natural and usually save words.

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Comparison:

It was suggested by Dr. Smith that the test be postponed.Dr. Smith suggested postponing the test.

A detailed description of the apparatus is presented in this report.This report presents a detailed description of the apparatus.

This is not to say that you must entirely avoid using the passive voice, which can be quite effective if used sparingly. By placing the receiver of the action as the subject of the sentence, it receives subtle emphasis. e.g.,

The relationship F = ma was discovered by Newton.Newton discovered the relationship F = ma.

The first version would be appropriate in a text on the history of physics, whereas the second could be used in a biography of Sir Isaac Newton.

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Verbs can express action. For many action verbs there are nouns of similar derivation that expresses the result of the action.

For ex.,examine-examination and perform-performance.

Using the noun form expresses the action indirectly. Your writing will be more vigorous if such nouns are replaced by the verb forms. Ex.,

By analysis of the data By analyzing the dataAn evaluation of the data was done The data were evaluatedThe installation of the new equipment has been carried outThe new equipment has been installed.

d. Nouns from verbs

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Exercise: Rewrite the following sentenses using the active voice and trying to eliminate redundant words.

1.His performance of the test was adequate.

2.We made at least two analyses on each sample.

3.Evaporation of alcohol from the mixture takes place rapidly.

4.Clarity in writing is my intention.

d. Nouns from verbs

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British writing is different from American writing in certain forms of punctuation and spelling. Whatever style is used will not really affect the reader’s understanding of the text, but you should be consistent and employ the same style throughout a work.

Spelling American - Britishconnection - connexioninflection - inflexiondefense - defencepractice - practice (n.)

practise (v.)center - centre liter - litremeter - metre (unit of measure) meter (instrument)behavior - behaviour color - colourdistill - distil catalog - catalogueanalyze - analyse catalyze - catalysejudgment - judgement aging - ageingacknowledgment - acknowledgement


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The digraphs ae and oe in words of Latin or Greek derivation areretained in British style:

anesthesia - anaesthesiacesium - caesiumdiarrhea - diarrhoeahematite - haematiteleukemia - leukaemiafetus - fœtus

Punctuation: American - comma after e.g. and i.e.; none in British


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In its simplest form, a lucid paragraph contains a topic sentense and clearly related supporting sentenses. The topic sentence comprises the main point or idea of the paragraph, while supporting sentences provide detail or ancillary information. The following are basic guidelines for paragraph design.

1. Cover only one main point or idea in each paragraph.2. Each sentence should establish or support the topic of the paragraph.

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All of the patient data were kept in files. The absence of even one clerk caused delays in the monthly reporting. Finally, management decided to interview some system analysts.

(The connection between the three sentences is not clear. Although the meaning can be inferred, it is better to state it outright).

All of the patient data were kept in paper files, which took much staff time to maintain. The absence of even one clerk would delay the monthly patient reports. Management wanted to computerize record-keeping, which would take less time and be more reliable, and finally decided to interview some systems analysts to develop the new system.

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4. Keep a consistent point of viewThat is, maintain the same grammatical voice (active or passive) throughout the paragraph.

5. Use parallel construction to male the paragraph easier to understand.

In an attempt to avoid monotony, some writers vary the sentence construction and thereby hinder conprehension. Ex.,

A 10 mg dose produces no effect, a 20 mg dose produces a small effect, but patients show a noticeable effect from a 30 mg dose.

A 10 mg dose produces no effect, a 20 mg dose produces a small effect, but patients show a noticeable effect from a 30 mg dose.


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Golden rules

Abstract should be 1/2 to 3/4 page long

Abstract should be LAST thing written

Summary of the key findings of YOUR work

Should encourage the reader to read on

Any info included in abstract MUST be included in body of work

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Guidelines to writing abstracts

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The construction of the science is based on the communication of the research results.

Research

Production

Literature

your research career. Within the circle it is relevant to communicate your results as brief and clear as possible.

Previous works are thebasis for yours, when you enter in the loop (intake, production, output and feedback) you become a consumer and a producer and so on till the end of

Why is your scientific contribution important?

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Question Preliminary research

answeryes noNew research

Project design

Lab workresults

conclusions

manuscript Dissemination & retrieval

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Be aware of the contribution of your research to the Scientific Community and try to share it with your colleagues

How?

Communicating your results (written, oral, others)

COMMUNICATE!!!!!

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When you consider you have finished an homogeneous part, be sure before finishing labwork.

Arrange and organize your notes, references or any other material, display and classify it.

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How to start

to write a manuscript?

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Organize your information

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Structure your information in separate blocks

Notes, commentaries, references, objectives

Samples, individuals, sampling, analytical and statistical methods, ...

Answers to the objetives support-ed by numerical, graphical or any other forms

Analysis of the results, comparison with other authors

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Try to integrate your puzzle of information

And structure it!

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Structure of a scientific paper

• Title

• Authors’ names and

affiliation

• Abstract, keywords

• Introduction

• Material and methods

• Results

• Discussion

• Conclusions

• Acknowledgements

• References

• Annexes

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Keywords

Keywords should not be “empty words” or express generalities.

Remember that it will be the keyword that will facilitate people to find the paper – and cite it! (which is what we want, of course!)

So, for example in the article we use to use a keyword ‘mayonnaise’ would be incorrect but ‘home-made mayonnaise makes it more specific.

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Abstract

The abstract, summary or synopsis is, like the title and keywords, one element within the manuscript of considerable relevant importance.

The retrieval of the paper and its reading depend greatly on it.

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Abstract

The main feature of an abstract is its size.

In very few words (200-300) the abstract should inform about the main aspects of the manuscript and respond to why, what, how and the results and their interpretation.

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Characteristics of an abstract

Brief Inform ative

Concise Condensed

Content

Structured Single paragraph

Form at

Abstract

Short sentences, but not telegraphedNo references, tables or figuresNo acronyms, abbreviations..

No excessive details

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Abstract

Basic justification for conducting the study (background info)

Research objectives

Basic Methods Used

Specific Results of YOUR work

Major Conclusions

Any info included in the abstract should be included in the body of the article

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Abstract

Should NOT include details of experiment

Should NOT include generalities and results of previous works

Does not have to contain everything that is included in the paper

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Ask yourself

Does my abstract:

• Clearly state the topic/goal

• Clearly state the general approach/method

• Clearly state the main outcome and consequences

• Contain trivial information or results which are entirely predictable (remove them!)

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Abstract Exercise

Identify points to include in abstract Background Importance of results – what’s new Methods used Specific new results obtained Major conclusions

In groups of 4 make attempt to draft abstract

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Abstract Exercise

Background Autosterilisation (i.e. Elimination of salmonella) of mayonnaise by

various parameters

What’s new about the results? Influence of various oils and types of vinegars on antimicrobial

properties

Methods used Mayonnaise prepared with different vinegars and oils as acidulants –

acetic acid used as a control Samples inoculated with salmonella pH and [acetic acid] measured

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Abstract ExerciseAbstract Exercise Results

– At 20oC best autosterilisation with white wine vinegar mayo– Autosterilisation, but at a slower rate when white wine

vinegar contained garlic, tarragon, cider or spirit vinegar– With lowered acetic acid content less salmonella killed– Results much better at 20oC than 4oC– At 20oC grapeseed, soya, olive (w/ basil or garlic) >

rapeseed, groundnut, hazelnut, sunflower > blended olive oil

Major conclusions– The type of vinegar used for acidulation has a strong effect

on autosterilisation properties due to acetic acid content– Oils of different origins have varying effects on killing of

salmonella and garlic/basil observed to enhance this effect

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Abstract ExerciseAbstract Exercise

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Abstract Homework ExerciseAbstract Homework Exercise

1. Modelling the pH of mayonnaise by the ratio of egg to vinegar

2. Auto-oxidate effect of Glucose Oxidase and Catalase in Mayonnaises of Different oxidative susceptibility

I. Product TrialsII. Mathematical Modelling

3. Detection of Salmonella in food by a 3 days PCR based method

4. Neural Network Modelling of the fate of Salomonella in home made mayonnaise prepared with citric acid

For preparation in discussion in small group tutorials

Research Planning

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Research Planning

Research planning is an essential part of and research project

Must identify Tasks to be carried out Time required to carry them out Resources required to carry them out ‘Expected’ results and contigency planning Deliverables and milestones

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SMART Research PlanningSMART Research Planning

GOAL: (also known as SCOPE) – is to define what overall the project will accomplish and what will be different as a result

OBJECTIVE: what the project is trying to achieve – should be SMART objectives, Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time bound objectives

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Milestones & deliverables

Milestone: a point in time representing a key or intermediate event that marks progress

Deliverable: a tangible item contributing to the success of the project

NOT: milestone: completion of phase 1; interim progress report …deliverable: a greater understanding of the processes ….

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Ask two key questions:

1. What will the project do and how will we know if it’s going according to plan?

2. What will the project deliver and how will we know if it’s a success?

SMART Research PlanningSMART Research Planning

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Can Ph.D. students plan research ?

YES! Together with supervisor who has more global view of project

Look at the grant application of the project that you are working on

You will see “Targets, milestones, deliverables…..Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3”

Your supervisor (or the project PI) has taken a horizon view of where you should be after 3 years

Usually this is an aspiration or “Best Guess”

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“To get the grant, a PI has had to pay at least lip-service to ideas ofProject Planning and Management”

……but they have not had any formal training and therefore they depend on their years of experience of getting PhDs through

Important for future career!Important for future career!

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Thought processes…….You Supervisor

90% time

100% Motivation

Little idea of what’s required

“It’s up to the supervisor to come up with the ideas, not me”

“If this project fails, I’ll have to write up a lousy Masters”

10% time

Changeable motivation

Good idea of what’s required (?)

“Well, I have 4 other students …”

“I’ll have to keep the funders sweet”

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Some typical PhD scenarios

Learn a lot in Year 1 and may even have no data that will end up in Ph.D

Get dispirited in Year 1 as nothing works

Cul-de-sacs

Have a “Purple patch” in Year 2 when you cash in and get loads of data

Disagree with supervisor over when you have enough data

Take forever writing up

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Good Habits in Project Management

Agree overall staged research outcomes for the year with supervisor

Targets should be challenging but within reach

“By Christmas, I should have that, then by….”

Detailed plans for next 3 months work

Allow % contingency

Broad strokes for 6, 9 and 12 months

Put it all on a chart

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Manage your time: Plan the Week Ahead

On Fridays, write down in your diary what you should be doing next week

Complete week’s work with report, summary..

Hit the ground running on Monday

(Of course this doesn’t really apply since PhDs work on week-ends like their supervisors before them !)

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“Macro” and “Micro” Planning

Plan your day the previous evening and make priority list

- Morning: experiment 2 of 6 replicates

-Afternoon: data analysis, see boss, order chemicalsSeminar at 4pm, tennis at 6pm

Don’t over-pack the day with a TO DO list Allow % for reading, thinking, peer chats

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Reports: Blocks of Work

Summarise data logically and DISCUSS with references (Endnote)

Do one complete report every Quarter

Match outcomes to agreed targets with supervisor

Circulate draft to supervisor and objective colleague

Reflective time to consider next steps

Archived reports make Ph.D writing easy

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Why do some Ph.D. projects fail ?

Shaky hypothesis

PhD student not suitable

No fall-back position when path blocked

Poor supervision

Bad project process

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Project Management Tools

1. Define the goal and set your eyes on the prize(Shackleton versus Scott)

Write down a checklist of deliverables that will comprise the Goal

- eg. Establishing methods, Theses Chapter titles…….

Read several excellent PhD theses NOW to see the standard and how to get there

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2. Make a list of the jobs to be done

Write a plan to get you to the first point on the journey

Some jobs will have to be done to get the ball rolling

If the job is vague, break it down into several jobs and estimate the time required

…………eg. To look at where a drug is going in the brain, you need the following skills….

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Sub-Project 1 out of 8. For each job……..

Resources required ?

Skills required ? Training ?

Identifiable milestones

State all assumptions

Dependencies outside your control

High risk areas

Timeline and how you arrived at it

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3. Leadership – it’s your project

Take ownership

Show your supervisor that you can work to an agreed plan without needing to be micro-managed

Meet your supervisor once a week or in a team setting and have specific goals in mind: updating results, discussion points, next steps and when you aim to have them

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4. Manage Expectations

Maximise chances of success

Allow a margin for error

- Order enough cell culture consumables to allow for an infection- If a plan takes 6 months to give an all-or-nothing piece of data, why not have something going along in parallel ?

What’s Plan B ? - Test a hypothesis in a simple established system(eg. Laboratorio de Investigacion project)

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5. Monitoring progress-vibes

Reports are regular

You are having fun and are working como una burra

Morale and confidence is high

You feel your ability has increased

Good lab atmosphere

Milestones are being met

A cerveza with the supervisor isn’t so bad after all

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Bad vibes

“Nodding dogs” in meetings

“Everything’s under control”

You procrastinate

You change the agreed research goalposts

Crisises and mistakes abound

You don’t meet supervisor deadlines and don’t discuss why

There’s no evidence of real progress over a sustained period

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6. Communication

Tools: progress reports and meetings

Show lab books to supervisor and peers regularly

Resolve issues and review progress

Keep assumptions, deliverables, timelines to the fore.

Avoid supervisor “howzitgoin’” sessions and get specific on how to move project forward

Anticipate log-jams

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Meetings in Project Management

Good meetings smash obstacles, resolve issues, move project forward

Many drift along without purpose and have no agenda

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Good meetings (in general) …..

Clear objectives

(Identify participants/resources needed)

Base agenda on above

Outline any advance prep

Set time constraints on each agenda item

Chair drives through agenda

Are minuted with Action Items for next meeting

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In managing your project……

Be wary of meetings if the following are not met

- Clear objective- Required prep outlined (if needed)- Why do I need to go ??- How long will it last ?- (Who is the Chair ?)

University supervisors are not trained to run good meetings

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Effective Lab Groups

Clear goals and objectives

Understanding and interdependence

Cohesiveness

Trust between group leader, postdocs, PhD students and technicians

Potent force: effect > sum of parts

Like Celtic FC last Thursday, or Ireland rugby last Saturday…..

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Success Indicators

For your performance:

Feedback Questionnaire

Evaluate planned workplan with achieved workplan

Regular review with supervisor and Graduate Studies Committee

How are you shaping up with respect to peers ?

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…For the Project

Goal still clear ?

Milestones being met ?

Are they well-defined or woolly ?

Are my plans for the next few weeks clear and achievable ?

Is there a margin for error achieved through a plausible fall-back position ?

Am I writing regular reports ?

Am I disseminating information ?

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But getting a Ph.D is never that simple………

You need to develop good problem-solving skills

- Read good papers and attend lots of seminars - Brainstorm

- Ideal solution ? Is there a less idyllic but acceptable one ? Plan B

- Can I get an expert to do this piece while I focus on another aspect in parallel ?

………………..eg James Watson in the Double Helix

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But getting a Ph.D is never that simple………

The mental side can be tough

- Stress: when you are not in control of events- Keep a sense of proportion- Stay in contact with peers- Walk away at the end of the day- Be conscious of your own strengths and weaknesses- Changing project at the end of Year 1 is possible and you could still get out in the four years

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This isn’t what I thought a Ph.D was about………

But: most theses are not earth-shattering

They are achieved by mature, hard-working, dogged, disciplined, tenacious people

Writing, reading, mulling over data, talking to colleagues, going to meetings is part of the deal

Justifying over-run on agreed 4 years (and soon will change to 3 years is not good for anybody………….hence even more need for good project and time management

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Tools for planning & management

Gantt Chart

Pert Chart

Contingency Planning

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What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart developed as a production control tool in 1917 by Henry L. Gantt, an American engineer and social scientist. Frequently used in project management, a Gantt chart provides a graphical illustration of a schedule that helps to plan, coordinate, and track specific tasks in a project.

Gantt charts may be simple versions created on graph paper or more complex automated versions created using project management applications such as Microsoft Project or Excel.

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What is a Gantt chart?What is a Gantt chart?

A Gantt chart is constructed with a horizontal axis representing the total time span of the project, broken down into increments (for example, days, weeks, or months) and a vertical axis representing the tasks that make up the project (for example, if the project is outfitting your computer with new software, the major tasks involved might be: conduct research, choose software, install software).

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Horizontal bars of varying lengths represent the sequences, timing, and time span for each task.

Using the same example, you would put "conduct research" at the top of the verticle axis and draw a bar on the graph that represents the amount of time you expect to spend on the research, and then enter the other tasks below the first one and representative bars at the points in time when you expect to undertake them.

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The bar spans may overlap, as, for example, you may conduct research and choose software during the same time span.

As the project progresses, secondary bars, arrowheads, or darkened bars may be added to indicate completed tasks, or the portions of tasks that have been completed.

A vertical line is used to represent the report date

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Gantt & Pert Charts

Gantt charts give a clear illustration of project status, but one problem with them is that they don't indicate task dependencies - you cannot tell how one task falling behind schedule affects other tasks.

The PERT chart, another popular project management charting method, is designed to do this.

Automated Gantt charts store more information about tasks, such as the individuals assigned to specific tasks, and notes about the procedures. They also offer the benefit of being easy to change, which is helpful.

Charts may be adjusted frequently to reflect the actual status of project tasks as, almost inevitably, they diverge from the original plan.

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What is a Pert Chart?What is a Pert Chart?

A PERT chart is a project management tool used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project. PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review Technique, a methodology developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s to manage the Polaris submarine missile program.

A similar methodology, the Critical Path Method (CPM), which was developed for project management in the private sector at about the same time, has become synonymous with PERT, so that the technique is known by any variation on the names: PERT, CPM, or PERT/CPM.

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Numbered rectangles are nodes and represent events or milestones

Directional arrows represent dependent tasks that must be completed sequentially

Diverging arrow directions indicate possibly concurrent tasks

Dotted lines indicate dependent tasks that do not require resources

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A PERT chart A PERT chart presents a graphic illustration of a project as a network diagram consisting of numbered nodes (either circles or rectangles) representing events, or milestones in the project linked by labelled vectors (directional lines) representing tasks in the project.

The direction of the arrows on the lines indicates the sequence of tasks. In the diagram, for example, the tasks between nodes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 must be completed in sequence. These are called dependent or serial tasks.

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What is a Pert Chart?

The tasks between nodes 1 and 2, and nodes 1 and 3 are not dependent on the completion of one to start the other and can be undertaken simultaneously. These tasks are called parallel or concurrent tasks.

Tasks that must be completed in sequence but that don't require resources or completion time are considered to have event dependency. These are represented by dotted lines with arrows and are called dummy activities. For example, the dashed arrow linking nodes 6 and 9 indicates that the system files must be converted before the user test can take place, but that the resources and time required to prepare for the user test (writing the user manual and user training) are on another path.

Numbers on the opposite sides of the vectors indicate the time allotted for the task.

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Pert & Gantt Chart - softwarePert & Gantt Chart - softwareThe Pert Chart is often preferred over the Gantt Chart as it is easier and clearer to read for simple projects. However, for complex projects it is very difficukt to read and generally both Pert and Gantt charts are used.There are numerous software programs available for making Pert and Gantt charts, the most popular of which is Microsoft Project. For free trial downloads:

MS Project http://www.microsoft.com/office/trial/default.mspx

SMARTDRAW http://www.smartdraw.com/

Good tutorial with quicktime video at http://www.computer-training-software.com/project2000.htm

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Examples – GANTT Examples – GANTT real vs plannedreal vs planned

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Examples - GANTTExamples - GANTT

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Examples - CPMExamples - CPM

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Examples - PertExamples - Pert

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Contingency PlanningContingency Planning

For each task identified in your research plan, you should carry out a risk analysis and based on the risk analysis a contingency plan should be outlined.

Thus for each task label tham as being of ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ or ‘High’ risk and for the medium or high risks, outline what you could do or what alternate path there is if the task cannot be achieved with the current workplan

Contingency planning should also include the possibilities of reagents from particular providers being out of stock, equipment breakdown etc.

Seminars 2004

Mayonnaise Project

Identify tasks

Identify resources

Identify timing of tasks and interdependency

Deliverables and Milestones

Outline contingency planning

Work together in groups of 4 and do preliminary workplan for mayonnaise project

Seminars 2004

But don’t overcomplicate things!

Seminars 2004

Workplan

Tasks Literature search to see state of the art Identify project goals Identify oils and vinegars to be used Purchase oils and vinegars Purchase salmonella culture Purchase eggs Prepare mayonnaise Prepare salmonella culture Measure pH Measure Acetic Acid Content Analyse Results Plot results Prepare manuscript Submit

Seminars 2004

WorkplanWorkplan

Timing– Literature search to see state of the art – 1 week– Identify project goals – 3 days– Identify oils and vinegars to be used – 3 days– Purchase oils and vinegars – 3 days– Purchase salmonella culture – 3 days– Purchase eggs – 3 days– Prepare mayonnaise – 1 day for each batch (14 days)– Prepare salmonella culture – 1 day for each batch (7days– Measure pH – 1 day for each batch– Measure Acetic Acid Content – 1 day for each batch– Analyse Results – 1 week– Plot results – 1 week– Prepare manuscript – 3 weeks– Submit

Seminars 2004

WorkplanWorkplan

Resources– Oils– Vinegars– Eggs– Salmonella culture– BM test kit– Genral lab reagents

– pH meter– Culture facilities– Microscope

– Technician– Student

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Task 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Literature search Identify project goalsIdentify oils and vinegars Purchase oils and vinegarsPurchase salmonella culturePurchase eggsPrepare mayonnaisePrepare salmonella cultureMeasure pHMeasure Acetic Acid ContentPlot resultsAnalyse Results Prepare manuscript Submit

Gantt ChartGantt Chart

Seminars 2004

Pert ChartPert Chart

Seminars 2004

WorkplanWorkplan

Deliverables

– Purchase of raw materials– Preparation of mayonnaise– pH measurement– Acetic Acid Content

Milestones– Correlation of acidulation and oils on autosterilisation of

mayonnaise

Seminars 2004

WorkplanWorkplan

Contingency Planning– No emulsion formed - change oils; change egg to oil to

acidulant ration– No autosterilisation observed – change egg to oil to acidulant

ratio– No trend between oil/acidulant content and killing of

salmonella – re-design experiment to include other parameters OR this could indicate a GO/NO-GO POINT.

– A Go/no Go Point can be reached when the project cannot proceed as previously planned and thus must be started over, dramatically modified or abandoned.

Seminars 2004

HomeworkHomework

A workplan, incorporating identification of research tasks, time and resources required to carry out

research tasks, identification of deliverables and milestones

and their timing as well a contingency plan, should be prepared.

This workplan will also include identification of required resources and a Gantt/Pert type chart.

ciara o’ sullivan second lecture 23.11.2004

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