The research projectNotes for the MILESTONE02

ABC PhD ProgramArchitecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering Doctorate

Program of Politecnico di Milano

24 09 2014

The structure of the Research Project

The Research Project:It has a title and an abstract. This is its suggested structure:

1. State of the Art and Objectives2. Work plan3. Dissemination and valuing4. References

It is not the only part of your report but its main and most important part.

The research project is a document to be presented in A4 format, paper-pdf.You are going to present it in two different styles … see the last slide

1. State of the Art and Objectives

Make a synthesis of your MILESTONE01 product and identify the main reasons and the aims of your project(few of you were clear and able to explain them). Moreover:

• You must convince that your work is useful, in a reasonable shor text (4 pages are a reasonabledimension, two better.

• Give a clear structure to it (chapters), and detail

• Explain the innovative features, the added value of your project and try to define how to measure itssuccess (in a quantitative way, if possible)

2. Work plan

Identify the main milestones and produce a breakdown structure of the work, in detailed, elementary activities. List, describe and plan every activity (no limit but max½-1 page per activity):

– Research methodology (what to do and how)

– Deliverables to be produced and events to be organized (if any)

– Possible conclusion dates (together in a gantt?)

– Resources needed (if any and, in case, from where)

3. Dissemination and valuing

• Who will be your partners (if any) working with you?

• Which research communities/groups/persons willyou (or you just wish to) cooperate with?

• Dissemination: how will you try to let the world to know about you? Which social media tool or strategywill you use?

• Suggested reviewers

• Max 1 page if with a detailed list

The abstract

In the abstract you produce a synthesis of the wholeproject. A page maximum (about 500 words).

– Devote enough time to do this synthesis:if someone reads your project, he/she will readfirst the abstract and only then, if it is good willdecide to go on!

The title

Try and retry up to find the best title up to the last daybefore the deadline:

• SHORT and CLEARTry to say what is your aim in less than 20 words (about):if you succeed, you’ll win

Moreover: ACRONYMS are not necessary … If you are a smart researcher with a good sense of humour youcan try but … in so many years of EU Research, every nice word has almost been used.

THE two PRESENTATION stiles

“DEEP&LONG” STILE

• 1-2 slide to tell what you did (research activity, courses and, if any, teaching), no more

• 20 slides to present the RESEARCH PROJECT in about20’ + 10-20’ of discussion, after

• Maximum an hour (gross, switching and delay included) for each PhD candidate

“SHORT&EFFECTIVE” STILEThe same presentation (1=candidate+2=project) haveto be synthetized in three slides and a 3’max talk