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ISA Research Project Management
What Project Managers Do
Levels of Involvement
ISA Research Project Managers (RPMs) can support research projects in a variety of ways, depending on the specific needs and project team.
RPMs may:
- Identify needs a project-based manager can fulfill
- Provide high-level oversight or guidance to a PI-hired manager or coordinator
- Assist with institutional and funder compliance requirements
- Help with particularly challenging aspects of a project
- Conduct full project management
While the ISA Research Management Team most commonly provides support on a project basis (i.e., for one specific research project), we may also provide support on a portfolio basis to research chairs (e.g., CRCs, CERCs, C150s) who need assistance managing their research portfolio. This support could entail helping on aspects such as governance, space, personnel, and funding coordination for the projects that comprise the research required for their chair position.
Examples of RPM Support
The Associate Director, Research management can meet with researchers to determine the most beneficial level of involvement, as well as a recommended Full-Time Employee (FTE) amount that would be based on the RPM's scope. Scope could include the following activities, depending on project needs and the RPM's level of involvement.
Project Launch & Planning
- Coordinate project launch activities
- Develop management, schedule, communication, and funding plans
- Coordinate funder-required plans
- Support complex HR planning and recruitment
Communications & Collaboration
- Act as liaison between researchers, funders, partner institutions, and SFU units
- Facilitate communication and collaboration across activities, collaborators, funding agencies, and other interest holders
- Clarify and coordinate project roles
- Assist with renovation coordination
- Provide direction and advice to resolve barriers
Ongoing Project Monitoring
- Manage complex expenditures and procurement
- Coordinate reporting
- Monitor progress and mitigate risks
- Ensure compliance with institutional and funder requirements
- Assist with project closure
What RPMs Do Not Do
RPMs provide project management support but do not:
- Act as technical experts on subject matter
- Coordinate technical staff or perform research
- Replace accountants, grants facilitators, or departmental managers
- Write grants
- Provide general clerical support
Logistics
If you have been assigned an ISA RPM, please review the logistical details here (coming soon).