Lessons learned from writing, winning, and implementing an Emerging Scholars grant

Sue Leach, PT,PhD,NCS,CEEAAAssistant Professor in Physical Therapy

Mentored by: Ellen Costello, PT,PhD

Poster introduction to project

Lessons Learned Is there an APP for that? Project Management Office: Lessons Learned

Instructions “The major benefit of completing the lessons

learned process is that the organization retains and documents both successful & unsuccessful project activities for future reference by project managers and staff.”

“This allows new projects to repeat successful activities & to avoid those that were not successful.”

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Q5yLeQs9BfoJ:www.bestpractices.osi.ca.gov/sysacq/documents/Lessons%2520Learned%2520Template_Final%2520%285278%29.doc+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Project Lifecycle Phase

Project Management Initiation

Project Closeout

System Termination

Project Funding Approval State Funding

State/Federal Funding

Acquisition Acquisition Planning

Contracting

Product Acceptance

System Development Requirements Analysis

Design

Development

Test

Implementation

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Lessons learned report

Lessons learned that didn’t work Lessons learned that worked Recommendations

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Scope

Lessons learned that didn’t workClinical component fMRI component BDNF component

Lessons learned that workedClinical component fMRI component Recommendations

Know your scope ahead of time Or know when it’s time to limit your scope

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Time Lessons learned that didn’t work

Everything takes longer than you think Grant proposal IRB Equipment procurement Establishing relationships with equipment vendors,

collaborators & research site Be prepared to complete multiple drafts

Lessons learned that worked Keep timing of other commitments in mind

Recommendations Be persistent Recognize the strengths &weaknesses of yourself & others Get referrals from colleagues for contacts Always follow up

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Cost Lessons learned that didn’t work

Anxiety over responsibility to make best use of funds

Lessons learned that worked Expanding the potential impact Revising the budget accordingly

Recommendation(s) It’s a great problem to have

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Quality Lessons learned that didn’t work

TBD

Lessons learned that worked Become more knowledgeable e.g.

conferences Use available resources to create a good

product

Recommendations Expand your focus with collaborations

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Human Resources Lessons learned that didn’t work

BDNF Lessons learned that worked

Seek out excellent mentors

Recommendations Find mentors/collaborators with similar

interests but expertise different from yours. Win win.

Be prepared to sell your product Get lucky

Ellen Costello, PT,PhDSarah Shomstein, PhD

Human Resources Mentor outside of project

Mary Corcoran

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Communication

Lessons learned that didn’t work IRB: phone call vs. in-person visit Insufficient contacts e.g. Phlebotomist, lab

folks, skilled in BDNF

Lessons learned that worked If you don’t ask, you won’t know

Recommendation In-person visit to IRB Know enough to discuss with others

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Risk Management Lessons learned that didn’t work

No mistakes so far that weren’t correctable

Lessons learned that worked Mentors Trusting instincts

Recommendation Choose your team wisely (or be very

lucky)

Knowledge Area Section Scope Time Cost Quality Human Resources Communication Risk Management Procurement

Procurement Lessons learned that didn’t work

Even if funds are approved, equipment procurement can take a long time

Lessons learned that worked Mike Steele as a liason

Recommendations Explore equipment options Develop relationships with vendors Get a staff member involved