Scientific Project Management Research Articles

SCIENTIFIC PROJECT TEAMS MANAGEMENT IN WARTIME REALITIES: PERSONNEL SECURITY ENSURING ASPECTS

The study is devoted to the scientific project teams management in the realities of wartime and personnel security ensuring aspects. The purpose of the work was to identify features that should be taken into account by personnel management and scientific and pedagogical personnel who are heads of scientific projects during the management of project teams engaged in research work under the influence of wartime risks. The research methodology means the use of content analysis and specialized literature processing, as well as taking expert opinion on modern features of scientific project management into account. As a result of the study, features were identified that should be taken into account by managers and scientific and pedagogical staff , including heads of scientific projects, when managing project teams mission is to provide research work under the influence of wartime risks; the characteristic features of the scientific projects management in comparison with applied research were investigated; the peculiarities of the scientific project team formation are determined, personnel risks accompanying the process of implementing a scientific project both in peacetime and in wartime are determined, and proposals are made for optimizing the management of scientific projects in the realities of wartime. The peculiarities of the scientific project team formation have been established, which include: the need for a team member to belong to the work team of a scientific institution or institution of higher education, the team members' compliance with the characteristics of active researchers, their availability of professional publications on the topic of the project; search for people with scientific degrees and scientific titles and united by common scientific interests. The field of application of research results is science management, project management, flexible management and team management in scientific and educational institutions, critical infrastructure enterprises and business structures.

SCIENTIFIC PROJECT TEAMS MANAGEMENT IN WARTIME REALITIES: PERSONNEL SECURITY ENSURING ASPECTS

The study is devoted to the scientific project teams management in the realities of wartime and personnel security ensuring aspects. The purpose of the work was to identify features that should be taken into account by personnel management and scientific and pedagogical personnel who are heads of scientific projects during the management of project teams engaged in research work under the influence of wartime risks. The research methodology means the use of content analysis and specialized literature processing, as well as taking expert opinion on modern features of scientific project management into account. As a result of the study, features were identified that should be taken into account by managers and scientific and pedagogical staff , including heads of scientific projects, when managing project teams mission is to provide research work under the influence of wartime risks; the characteristic features of the scientific projects management in comparison with applied research were investigated; the peculiarities of the scientific project team formation are determined, personnel risks accompanying the process of implementing a scientific project both in peacetime and in wartime are determined, and proposals are made for optimizing the management of scientific projects in the realities of wartime. The peculiarities of the scientific project team formation have been established, which include: the need for a team member to belong to the work team of a scientific institution or institution of higher education, the team members' compliance with the characteristics of active researchers, their availability of professional publications on the topic of the project; search for people with scientific degrees and scientific titles and united by common scientific interests. The field of application of research results is science management, project management, flexible management and team management in scientific and educational institutions, critical infrastructure enterprises and business structures.

VSEMERA: pilot project assessing health profession students’ experiences in an international virtual research program

BackgroundThe “Virtual Semester for Medical Research Aachen” (vSEMERA) is an international, interdisciplinary, virtual education program developed for health profession students. The first edition (2021) was hosted by the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University (Germany) in cooperation with Centro Universitário Christus (Brazil) and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru). The primary aim of the 12-weeks program was to provide students with skills in health science research and prepare them for scientific career paths.MethodsvSEMERA was built on a virtual learning platform, the “vSEMERA-Campus”, designed to foster students’ learning process and social interactions. Maximum flexibility was offered through synchronous and asynchronous teaching, enabling participants to join via any device from any part of the Globe alongside their regular studies. For the program’s first edition (September - November 2021), health profession students from Germany, Brazil, Peru, Spain, and Italy filled all 30 available spots. Satisfaction, quality of the program and courses offered, as well as perceived learning outcomes, were examined using questionnaires throughout and at the end of the program.ResultsThe program received a rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. While it met most expectations (4.29 out of 5), participants were unable to attend as many courses as intended (2.81 out of 5), mainly due to scheduling conflicts with the home university schedule (46%), internships (23%), and general timing issues (31%). Participants acknowledged considerable improvements in their scientific skills, English language skills, confidence in scientific project management, research career progression, and enthusiasm for a scientific career.ConclusionsvSEMERA represents a promising example of an online international learning and exchange program using pedagogical and technological elements of virtual collaboration and teaching. In addition to advancing future vSEMERA editions, our results may offer insights for similar projects that address the targeted integration of scientific research education into an international, digital learning environment.

Management of scientific projects financed from the state budget

Relevance. For the state-of-art technologies and achievements to become a reality, it is necessary to carry out fundamental scientific research, which is funded using state funds, since expanding the knowledge base that forms the basis of revolutionary progress requires significant investments. Purpose. In view of the foregoing, the purpose of the article is to study promising areas and methods for improving the efficiency of the management system for scientific projects implemented at the expense of state funds. Applied research issues are considered on the example of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methodology. The methodological base is a set of methods and principles of scientific knowledge, general and special techniques, as well as special methods for studying phenomena and processes in the project management system. Results. The research result is the improvement of scientific statements concerning the development of coordination and methodological support for project-oriented management of state-funded scientific research, as well as the development of an algorithm, approaches and recommendations for their implementation in a real situation. Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of creating an effective and flexible information loop, which allows tracking data within each stage of a scientific project, control the progress of work, as well as ensures the organization of interaction between participants using web technology. The article also formalizes the task of knowledge management in projects, taking into account the training and competence of the participants. Conclusions. Thus, the study offered an algorithm and a number of recommendations for more effectively managing state-funded scientific projects. The practical significance of the findings lies in the possibility of their use by the state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan to improve the quality of management of scientific programs and projects and increase their impact in a wide range of expected effects. Keywords: project management; vector paradigm; target-oriented approach; research; innovation; economy

Management of scientific projects financed from the state budget

Relevance. For the state-of-art technologies and achievements to become a reality, it is necessary to carry out fundamental scientific research, which is funded using state funds, since expanding the knowledge base that forms the basis of revolutionary progress requires significant investments. Purpose. In view of the foregoing, the purpose of the article is to study promising areas and methods for improving the efficiency of the management system for scientific projects implemented at the expense of state funds. Applied research issues are considered on the example of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Methodology. The methodological base is a set of methods and principles of scientific knowledge, general and special techniques, as well as special methods for studying phenomena and processes in the project management system. Results. The research result is the improvement of scientific statements concerning the development of coordination and methodological support for project-oriented management of state-funded scientific research, as well as the development of an algorithm, approaches and recommendations for their implementation in a real situation. Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of creating an effective and flexible information loop, which allows tracking data within each stage of a scientific project, control the progress of work, as well as ensures the organization of interaction between participants using web technology. The article also formalizes the task of knowledge management in projects, taking into account the training and competence of the participants. Conclusions. Thus, the study offered an algorithm and a number of recommendations for more effectively managing state-funded scientific projects. The practical significance of the findings lies in the possibility of their use by the state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan to improve the quality of management of scientific programs and projects and increase their impact in a wide range of expected effects. Keywords: project management; vector paradigm; target-oriented approach; research; innovation; economy

Gestión de proyectos de ciencia abierta. Un enfoque sociotécnico

Open science is a category that has been gradually assimilated by academia to encompass research experiences characterized by the distributed location of cognitive resources and infrastructures, collaborative work practices and interaction patterns based on open licences. In this article we propose to explore the management of open science projects from a sociotechnical approach. To this end, in the first instance, the characteristics of this approach are explained as an expression of an integral understanding of knowledge, science and technology; subsequently, the adequacy of some notions of project management to the perspective of development of knowledge assets in open science is exposed, and later an analysis of an experience of open science project management carried out in a Research and Development center is offered. As a result, a set of approaches is presented to support the relevance of the sociotechnical approach as part of a theoretical-methodological platform for project management linked to open science.

Project and Process Approaches in Science. Overview of Large Scientific and Technical Projects

The analysis of the management of large scientific and technical projects is carried out. The nuclear and space projects of the USSR, the nuclear project of the USA (Manhattan project), international and Russian megascience projects, federal scientific and technical programs (FNTP) and complex scientific and technical programs and projects (KNTP) are considered. The issues of problem formulation (substantiation of the relevance of the work), allocation of resources for projects, project implementation management are analyzed. From the examples considered, megaprojects include projects that were implemented in the USSR and the USA, some international projects of the mega-science class, and individual KNTP projects. Russian mega science projects, and most of the KNP from the point of view of management should be attributed to the class of large rather than megaprojects. It is shown that federal targeted programs, federal scientific and technical programs are rather not project-based, but process-based (they represent a set of small-scale projects that are not aimed at a common practical result), therefore they should be considered in the appropriate management logic.

МЕТОДИКА РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ ПРОЕКТОВ ПО УЛУЧШЕНИЯМ В СИСТЕМЕ МЕНЕДЖМЕНТА БЕРЕЖЛИВОГО ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ОБОРОННО-ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО КОМПЛЕКСА

A method to implement improvement projects in the lean manufacturing management system (LMMS) of a military-industrial complex enterprise (MIC) is proposed, which is developed on the basis of the scientific and methodological apparatus of the modern theory of lean manufacturing (LM), as well as on the principles of scientific labor organization and project management. The algorithm of implementing the successful life cycle of such projects in the military-industrial complex enterprise is considered. A comprehensive system to evaluate the proposed improvement projects is presented, which allows determining the priority of the project in improvement activities. The best cases of implementing improvement projects are considered by the example of JSC "Obukhov Plant".

Рrospective method of management of scientific projects in educational institutions of higher education

Today, in the economic crisis and the transformation of the Covid/SARS-19 pandemic, as well as the aggression of the Russian on the territory of Ukraine, the waging of a full-scale war, the issues of the development and functioning of distance student learning in higher education institutions in wartime are becoming urgent. Therefore, the war dealt a devastating blow to the economy of higher education institutions of Ukraine, they suffered in the most serious infrastructural and financial way. The insufficient level of ensuring the conduct of research, the imperfection of the organizational structure and organization of the management of scientific and scientific and technical activities in institutions of higher education determine the need to review and improve the existing system of management of scientific projects in institutions of higher education with specific conditions of training, naval, military, etc. The author of the study substantiated the method of distribution of scientific projects among the scientific teams of the educational institution, which takes into account not only the personnel support and workload of the executors, but also has a mechanism for evaluating the successful implementation of the project in the general portfolio of scientific projects of the higher educational institution. A method of assessing the scientific potential of scientific and pedagogical units of the institution was developed, which, in addition to the trivial emphasis on the personnel component, takes into account the level of security of the given project. It is possible to assess both the static and dynamic components of the scientific potential of higher education institutions as an indicator of the stability and development of the organization, taking into account the personal achievements of employees of higher education institutions. An economic method of distributing the premium fund of employees based on the results of the implementation of scientific projects in educational institutions of higher education, as an additional motivational lever of influence on a specific project. As an additional motivational tool, the author has defined a method of distributing the premium fund based on the results of the implementation of scientific projects in higher education institutions, which allows taking into account the personal contribution of the performers, the project team, and the necessary resources in conditions of uncertainty. The mechanism of stimulation under conditions of specific restrictions allows to improve the system of awarding educational personnel, and to differentiate scientific personnel with the use of means and tools of project management.

Управление НИОКР в странах ОЭСР: опыт мониторинга результатов

The article deals with the issues related to the monitoring of R&D projects supported by the public funds. In accordance with the current legislation, monitoring of scientific, technical and innovation projects is carried out within the framework of the structural elements of state programs. To conduct monitoring, results, control points and objects of scientific and technical activities should be established. At the same time, however, within the framework of the three forms of financial support for the implementation of R&D projects – grant financing, subsidies for the implementation of public assignments, public procurement – different monitoring methods and procedures are applied. Further, the names of the control points are not linked to the results of projects in terms of technology readiness levels (TRL). Finally, information systems that support the monitoring and evaluation of R&D results are not fully compatible with each other. As a result, the overall effectiveness of monitoring decreases, which leads to delays in making managerial decisions and entails wasteful spending of budget funds. In the leading OECD countries, there is a practice of centralized methodological support of the implementation of R&D and innovation, which provides an unified approach to management of such projects and conjugation of state support at all stages of innovation cycle. Successful project management involves application of such specific management tools as the stage gates model and TRL methodology, which provide effective monitoring of results and flexibility in making management decisions, including the possibility of adjusting the basic parameters of projects at different stages of their implementation. The experience of foreign countries shows that in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of monitoring of R&D projects in Russia, it is necessary to ensure the harmonization of general and sectoral legislation governing the monitoring of the results of research, development and innovation projects, which will ensure the formation of a unified approach within the framework of project management of state programs. It is advisable to extend the rules for monitoring the results of R&D adopted in the system of grant financial support to the systems of public assignment and public procurement in this area of activity, creating conditions for the conjugation of various forms of public support. Finally, it is necessary to improve operation of the existing state information resources for the management of scientific, technical and innovation projects.

Research on the effect evaluation of the implementation of educational exchange programs between Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao

Since the 18^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Education has launched the "Teachers and Students Exchange Plan among Colleges and Universities in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao " and "Construction of 'Sister Schools' Platform for Primary Schools and Kindergartens in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao", promoting the vigorous development of educational exchanges and cooperation among Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and laying a foundation for the growth and development of young people in Hong Kong and Macao. It is of great significance to carry out project implementation effect evaluation by using CIPP evaluation mode, comprehensively summarizing project development experiences, exploring characteristic projects and typical cases, deepening typical demonstration, refining scientific and effective project management model, promoting the quality and efficiency of projects and promoting the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the overall development of the country.

ОГЛЯД НАУКОВИХ МЕТОДІВ І ПІДХОДІВ ПРОЕКТНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ ТА ОЦІНКИ ВАРТОСТІ ПРОЕКТУ

The purpose. To carry out a comparative analysis of modern scientific methods and approaches of project management, as well as to consider the peculiarities of the project cost management process. Methods. The research used methods of systematization, generalization, and comparative analysis. The results. The article considers the peculiarities of the application of common project management technologies, namely the PRINCE2 method, the PMBoK guide and the international standard ISO 21500. Their comparative analysis was carried out according to several parameters, and the advantages and disadvantages of each were determined. Considerable research attention is focused on the project cost management process. Its main purpose and importance for achieving success is revealed. Defined the key opportunities provided by the application of scientific methods and approaches to expenditure management, and also identified the complexities involved in this. It is proposed to consider the process of project cost management as a set of four consecutive stages: planning the involvement of project resources, estimating their cost, drawing up a budget and controlling costs. It is noted that such scientific methods and approaches, the use of which will help to effectively manage costs and achieve project success, should be applied at each stage. More detailed attention was paid to the assessment of the project cost. The article describes such a method as earned volume management, which helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the project, using three key dimensions: planned, earned and actual cost. The approach of estimation of economic efficiency of attracting investment in the project are considered. The practical significance. The obtained research results can be applied in practical activities, which will enable project managers to choose management technology and improve the expenditure management process. The results of the conducted research have signs of scientific novelty, namely, the systematization of scientific methods and project management approaches was further developed, which, unlike the existing ones, was carried out in the context of comparison according to several parameters, which allows determining the advantages and disadvantages of using certain project management technologies; an improved approach to the analysis of the project expenditure management process, which, in contrast to existing, takes into account both the possibilities and difficulties of applying scientific methods and emphasizes the need to consider the current circumstances (uncertainty and complexity of the environment during the wartime events).

Zarządzanie kryzysowe podczas realizacji projektów naukowych dotyczących technologii krytycznych w czasie wojny: doświadczenia Uniwersytetu Przemieszczonego

"The article presents the experience of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University in the implementation of crisis management of scientific projects during the war and under the conditions of occupation. Based on experience, the authors show the problems and challenges Ukrainian scientists to face in occupied cities and territories where active hostilities are taking place. Based on the analysis of the current situation and the survey of scientists of the BSPU participating in the scientific projects’ implementation, the main factors that prevent scientific research implementation have been established. The authors present their own vision of crisis management during wartime, identify risks, and offer tools for their minimization. Next, the authors analyse the effectiveness of the measures taken. The article is useful for managers of all levels, because it raises important questions about the stability of the functioning of the science and education system in force majeure circumstances."

Manifesto of a Space Scientist

AbstractIn my five decades as a space scientist I experienced many successes, failures, struggles and joys of solving important (and not so important) problems. I documented my story in my book “Phoenix” (Gombosi, 2013, https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix‐Tamas‐I‐Gombosi‐2013‐12‐03/dp/B01FKUSX5I) and up‐to‐date information about my work can be found at my personal website (Gombosi, 2022, http://www-personal.umich.edu/∼tamas/). In this article I am summarizing some of the lessons I learned. I hope you will find my “manifesto” useful and entertaining. Each point has real life experience to support it. Together, they pretty much summarize my philosophy of scientific research, project management and leadership.

Problems and Countermeasures in the Management of Scientific Research Project Funds in Colleges and Universities

In recent years, my country has vigorously promoted the "delegation, regulation and service" of scientific and technological project management, and various government departments have successively formulated a number of preferential policies for deepening the reform of the scientific research project funding management system, striving to use policy and mechanism innovation to promote the innovation of scientific and technological talents. However, at present, there are still a series of problems in China's higher education, such as the lack of the right to use scientific research personnel funds, the imperfect performance evaluation and accountability system. This paper analyzes and discusses the management of higher education scientific research plan funds based on the problem, provides suggestions for reform measures of higher education scientific research program funds management, and provides reference for higher education research management staff.

АНАЛИТИЧЕСКИЙ ОБЗОР АЛГОРИТМА ДЕРЕВА РЕШЕНИЙ В ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТУАЛЬНОГО АНАЛИЗА ДАННЫХ

The decision algorithm is the preferred filtering algorithm in data mining technology, andits results are usually chosen in the form of "if-then" rules. Algorithm C4.5 is one of the decisionalgorithms that takes advantage of the ease of understanding and increasing importance, and alsotakes advantage of the advanced information rate gain of its advanced ID3 algorithm. After thetheoretical analysis of the information, the algorithm C4.5 is selected to analyze the results ofperformance appraisal, and enterprise performance appraisal decisions by collecting data, preprocessingdata, calculating information gain and determining selection parameters. The system isdeveloped in B/S architecture, an R&D project management platform that can perform evaluationanalysis with decision analysis results evaluation tools and web coverage. The system includesinformation storage, task management, reporting, receipt and presentation control, informationvisualization and other functions of the management information system functions. They can realizeproject management functions, such as creating and managing a project, flow tasks, filling andmanaging information about functions, creating a performance evaluation system, creating reportsof various sizes, building management. decision decision algorithm as the core technology,the system acquires scientific significant project management information with high data accuracy,and realizes visualization, which can help the enterprise to have a good management system inlarge areas. Task management, reporting, audit control, information visualization and other functionsof the system's management reporting management functions are included.

Model of Substantiation of Organizational Structure of the Management System of Higher Education

The relevance of the research is determined by the need to update the management structure of scientific projects within higher educational institutions in accordance with modern economic realities and internationally recognized standards, the essence of which is the transition from a rigid hierarchical management system and orientation towards the commercialization of the results of scientific and technological activities. Therefore, the purpose of this scientific article is to develop a functional model for scientific project management within higher education, the components of which, unlike existing models, will be characterized by a project-oriented direction. To achieve a certain research goal, general scientific research methods were used, including analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison, systematization, modeling, as well as structural and mathematical methods, taking into account the key principles of structural-functional and system approaches. The article analyzes a number of scientific works of Ukrainian and foreign scientists on the topic of methodological substantiation of the specifics of management of research projects in higher educational institutions. The key concerns of the current state of scientific project management within the Ukrainian scientific space have been identified, in particular, the rigid organizational and staff management structure with the predominant role of the top management, insufficient financial support of scientific and technical activities, as well as limited access to the results of scientific and technical activities. The author’s economic and mathematical model of scientific project management in higher education institutions has been developed considering functional indicators. It is proposed to introduce a body for commercialization of the results of scientific and technical activities, which will help optimize the financial support of scientific and technical activities. The necessity of developing international cooperation within the framework of scientific and technical activities and the organization of scientific projects in particular is substantiated. The practical value of scientific work lies in the development of the author’s own methodological support for the proper functioning of scientific project management with the prospect of its further application in practice

Improving bioinformatics software quality through incorporation of software engineering practices.

BackgroundBioinformatics software is developed for collecting, analyzing, integrating, and interpreting life science datasets that are often enormous. Bioinformatics engineers often lack the software engineering skills necessary for developing robust, maintainable, reusable software. This study presents review and discussion of the findings and efforts made to improve the quality of bioinformatics software.MethodologyA systematic review was conducted of related literature that identifies core software engineering concepts for improving bioinformatics software development: requirements gathering, documentation, testing, and integration. The findings are presented with the aim of illuminating trends within the research that could lead to viable solutions to the struggles faced by bioinformatics engineers when developing scientific software.ResultsThe findings suggest that bioinformatics engineers could significantly benefit from the incorporation of software engineering principles into their development efforts. This leads to suggestion of both cultural changes within bioinformatics research communities as well as adoption of software engineering disciplines into the formal education of bioinformatics engineers. Open management of scientific bioinformatics development projects can result in improved software quality through collaboration amongst both bioinformatics engineers and software engineers.ConclusionsWhile strides have been made both in identification and solution of issues of particular import to bioinformatics software development, there is still room for improvement in terms of shifts in both the formal education of bioinformatics engineers as well as the culture and approaches of managing scientific bioinformatics research and development efforts.

RadoNorm – towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations – focus on RADON and NORM

RadoNorm aims to manage risks from exposures to radon and naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) to promote effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations. It supports the European Member States and the EU Commission (EC) in implementing the Basic Safety Standards for protection against ionising radiation hazards at the legislative, executive, and operational levels (Directive 2013/59/EURATOM). The project is grounded on (1) implementation of multidisciplinary and innovative research and technologies, (2) integration of education and training, and (3) dissemination of project results targeting a broad stakeholder community including the public, regulators, and policymakers. The objectives are achieved through scientific research-related topics (exposure, dosimetry, biology, epidemiology, societal aspects), cross-cutting topics (education and training, dissemination, ethics) and project management. The project will yield guidelines at legal, executive and operational levels. It will enable consolidated and harmonised decision-making in the field of radiation protection, considering societal aspects and sustainable knowledge transfer. The project contributes to EC activities to strengthen radiation protection in a consistent and joint manner, as has already been done through the establishment of radiation protection platforms, the promotion of projects (e.g., DoReMi, OPERRA) and the partnership CONCERT-EJP. The outcomes may also impact future recommendations.

Network Analysis for Projects with High Risk Levels in Uncertain Environments

The critical path method is one of the oldest and most important techniques used for planning and scheduling projects. The main objective of project management science is to determine the critical path through a network representation of projects. The critical path through a network can be determined by many algorithms and is useful for managing, monitoring, and controlling the time and cost of an entire project. The essential problem in this case is that activity durations are uncertain; time presents considerable uncertainty because the time of an activity is not always easily or accurately estimated. This issue increases the need to use neutrosophic theory to solve the critical path problem. Real-world problems are characterized by a lack of precision, consistency, and completeness. The concept of neutrosophic sets has been introduced as a generalization of fuzzy, intuitionistic fuzzy, and crisp sets to overcome the ambiguity surrounding real-world problems. Truth-, falsity-, and indeterminacy-membership functions are used to express neutrosophic elements. This study was performed to examine a neutrosophic event-oriented algorithm for determining the critical path in activity-on-arc networks. The activity time estimates are presented as trapezoidal neutrosophic numbers, and score and accuracy functions are used to obtain a crisp model of the problem. An appropriate numerical example is then used to explain the proposed method.