1. Z26 Project Management Presentations Lecture 5b 9 th February 2006 Graham Collins, UCL

2. Writing Abstracts  This is in effect similar to what is required in your slides, however the slides should consist of details of the technical and project management approach.  The abstract must clearly outline the purpose of the research, and typically covers the background, previous research and interpretations, the approach and the method for evaluation, and implications. It often includes further research opportunities and key words.  The style will vary according to the author and context, however it is important that you examine the structure of abstracts in the intelligent systems area. You will notice that emphasis is often placed on metrics, and the evaluation of effectiveness of algorithms.

3. Presentations - key points that should be included 1. Who is involved, what are their roles, who is the project manager, and who is responsible for communications outside the team. 2. A communication plan is almost as vital as a schedule. Both should be shown. Are communications amongst the team easy to follow, do you have a simple approach or Wiki page? 3. Risks are easily ignored once assigned. Are risks assigned, agreed and the team aware of their status? 4. What will happen if you do not get the results anticipated?

4. What is the purpose?  What are you doing and why. What is the motivation behind the work and what is the purpose.  Background research (also include separately an abstract and references). This must show that you have researched this area well, examined related research in detail and kept up to date with current research.

5. Process is key to your Presentation 1. What process have you adopted? Often the process RUP or XP for example determines the project management approach. If you have an agile process how are the requirements prioritised? 2. As outlined, it is often the process for research, or coding determines the model for project management (explained during lectures). 3. Both the technical approach and the project management approach have to be considered. This project has two dimensions. 4. If you have selected an agile approach is this reflected in your schedule. A later phase may be dependent on the evaluation of a range of algorithms and may necessitate the development of a new approach/algorithm.

6. Quality  Can your project be improved. What would you do differently if you were to start again, may be asked after your presentation.  Are there any practices that you have followed from previous researchers or corporate best practice?  Would it be possible for an academic to follow your work so far with the level of documentation?  Do you have background technical material to hand-in at your presentation as well as detailed project management documentation, risk plans, schedule, print-outs from web-pages?

7. Checklist – Project Planning  Project plan and schedule  Define project objectives  Plan for team (human resources) communications, roles and responsibilities  Identify standard processes  Tailor process to meet project requirements  Identify approach (methods, tools, templates)  Risk identification and management  Estimate effort  Define project milestones  Define project tracking procedures  Define training/research plan  Ensure all plans are integrated where appropriate

8. Checklist – Project Execution  Track project status (research progress, risk status, monitor new risks, etc  Review status with team and supervisor  Evaluation of approach, processes and project metrics  Manage requirement changes  Conduct milestone reviews  Develop appropriate metrics, tests and evaluation methods for research  (Although you are unlikely to reach Project Closure before the presentation, it is worth thinking about the learning points and how you would use the knowledge to improve similar research projects.)

9. Dates for presentation  11 May 2006, room B1.02 12-5pm  Week before ie 4 th May Tutorial (optional), 1-3pm room B1.03, week after presentation, ie 18 th May feedback and grades.  Everyone contributes, i.e. is involved in the verbal delivery and attends all presentations. Questions on your research projects will be asked. Tracy will provide a timetable during the first week of May.  E-mail a copy of your presentation by 1pm the day before you present, ie 10th May 2006 to Graham, graham.collins@ucl.ac.uk and the relevant supervisor ie David or Mark via e-mail. graham.collins@ucl.ac.uk  Submit 2 printed copies of –(a) slides, –(b) background material, –(c) abstract and –(d) references