Project Management

Once a sponsored project is established it is important to partner with the PI in managing their project. Project management can be daunting and involve many moving parts and nuances, successful project management encompasses:

• Reviewing and confirming project activity with investigators on a monthly basis.

• Following departmental reporting guidelines.

• Initiating corrective action and post-award change requests in a timely manner.

Although the PI is responsible for the overall operations of their project, the support research administrators provide is critical in the post-award management of the project. Research Administrators need to be prepared to provide advice and support in:

• Managing and monitoring budgets to ensure guidelines are followed.

• Providing fiscal oversight by monitoring revenue and project expenditures.

• Assisting with the management of research staff, including updating effort, following university and sponsor guidelines.

• Providing guidance with the preparation of reports to funding agencies.

• Executing Post-Award Change Forms, No-Cost Extensions and other post-award project changes as necessary.

Research Administrators should discuss post-award project management support needs with their faculty so everyone has a clear understanding of the level of support provided. Good project management over the life of an award helps eliminate problems and assures the project is able to be completed and closed in a timely manner.