==================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
Devoted to practical steps for completing your
doctoral dissertation.
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
==================================================To subscribe, visit www.abdsurvivalguide.com
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/
Be sure to place us on the white list or approved list
for your incoming email.*To unsubscribe*, go to bottom of this email.
INDEX
1. Ben's note
2. "A Dissertation is a Project to Manage"
(Or "How To Avoid Dissertation Hell")
by Dr. Michael C. Thomas
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational Quote
SUMMARY
=========
In this issue, Dr. Michael C. Thomas shares
information on how to set up your dissertation
like a project so you can avoid dissertation
hell.
We round out this issue with a motivational
Words of Wisdom & an inspirational quote.
<> ===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>
Ben's Note
June 2, 2005
Dear Reader,
You have probably heard that the best kind
of dissertation is a done dissertation, though
sometimes, it's not clear how you will get there
from here.
This issue's feature article may help, as it
outlines steps you can take to manage your
dissertation & the process along the way.
If you keep working on the dissertation step
by step, you will, eventually, get to
the goal.
If you could use a bit of extra motivation,
check out our inspirational quotes and
words of wisdom section.
See you in two weeks.
Ben
=================================================
" A Dissertation is a Project to Manage"
(Or "How To Avoid Dissertation Hell")
By Michael C. Thomas, Ph.D.
=================================================
The application of some key project management
concepts are straight forward and involve a
re-framing. Think of the dissertation as the
project, yourself as the project manager
and your advisor/committee as the customer.
A project is a one-time job that has starting
and ending points, clear objectives, and a
clear scope. It is a problem scheduled for
solution (Lewis, 1995). The primary objective
is for you to complete a quality product as
soon as possible. Project management techniques
are used extensively in construction, movie
production, and new product development,
e.g., drugs and software.
First, spend some time in the beginning
with your advisor/committee to negotiate
'Front End Agreements' or 'Contracts', which
boil down to getting as clear and as specific
as possible regarding: purpose, scope, deliverables,
deadlines, performance (product) standards
of the dissertation; your responsibilities
and those of the advisor and committee members.
If you are already into the process,
it may not be too late to ASK your advisor for a
renegotiation of these. When good contracts
are made, both your work process and the results
are deeply satisfying. When no contracts exist,
everything is uncertain and your
whole life can be miserable.
1. PURPOSE STATEMENT.
Frequently the purpose is expressed as:
'Add to the body of knowledge' or 'advance a
current technology', etc. Implicit purposes are:
to provide you with a 'union card',
higher income, satisfying employment and future
life. Without a comprehensive purpose statement,
there is no 'vision' to motivate and focus you
and the advisor. The 'Proposal' should include
a statement of Purpose for your whole life'. Such
a statement can remind you why this whole
endeavor was started in the first place and it can
inspire and energize you when you are down and
discouraged.
2. SCOPE AGREEMENT.
This is a statement of the breadth and depth
of the work that you must do to complete the
dissertation (project). It defines what will
and what will not be included in
moderately general terms.
* Without a clear and agreed upon 'scope' the
anticipated work can be too small (unacceptable
to the Advisor) or too large (a grandiose
10 year project). In either case, if the scope
increases, you can expect disruptive conflict
between you and your advisor, between you and
the pizza delivery guy, and between
you and your spouse (if any).
If the scope increases, unintentionally or not,
ALL the costs --- especially delays -- increase.
If the scope increases dramatically, what was
once a very challenging academic project suddenly
becomes 'an elephant that must eaten' or an
overwhelming monster.
A 'scope agreement' is likely to keep both you and
your advisor from allowing 'scope creep' to happen. A scope agreement provides a
first line defense for you
against a domineering advisor who may want to increase
the scope of the dissertation once it is underway. It
is more difficult for you to negotiate a reduction in
scope once you are half way into your dissertation.
*Once your dissertation becomes overwhelming and
undoable in your eyes, a project management tool
called 'Work Breakdown Structure' is a method of
subdividing work into smaller and smaller increments
that eliminates much of the dread and fear. Once hugh
tasks (chapters) are broken down into bite sizes
(sub-tasks and sub-headings), these can be sequenced
and scheduled.
3. DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE.
Without agreements on these --- what will be presented
and when --- many of the difficulties cited above are
likely. Schedules indicate that you are not expected
to work forever. They also permit your advisor to plan
his/her life --- since you are not at its center. Without a deliverable
schedule...
*The advisor may either put unrealistic time pressures
on you or forget you exist.
*Under panic you may do an unacceptable down-and-dirty
job or never finish.
*Unanticipated negative feedback from the Advisor ('much
more research needs to be done on this')may be
devastating to you. The sudden expectation of additional
months of work and delays can crush agreements made with
others ---family members and/or employers.
*Periodic deadlines may prohibit months of
procrastination and may assure a promising career rather
than a failed career and a failed marriage.
4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. With agreements on performance standards, both you and
your advisor know when a piece of work is or is not
acceptable.
*Unless you have received performance feedback from this
Advisor on similar research in the past, your first
negative experience can result in an initial
defensiveness that is repeated throughout the life of
your dissertation. You can perceive your advisor as a
petty tyrant and you can be perceived by your advisor
as irresponsible. The results of this can be delay after
delay.
*On the other hand, positive feedback to you can generate
excitement and energy for you.
5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Your role and responsibilities and those of your
Advisor
must be agreed upon and confirmed periodically. The
'psychological contract' must be manifestly expressed as a
'social contract' however informally.
*It is easy for role definitions formed in the first grade
to continue into this project, viz., the Advisor is
'Lord', 'Commander', 'Boss', etc. and you are the
appropriate counterpart. A major obstacle to your progress
can be if you fall into dependent and powerless feelings
and behavior. Some empowerment strategies can be employed
by you and your Advisor. *Foremost among your self
empowerment strategies is for you to adopt a self-image of
Adult, Peer, Assistant Professor, and for your Advisor to
treat you that way. Closely associated with this is a
reasonable 'Scope' agreement up front.
*A 'buddy' or Coach can be an empowerment structure for you
at every stage of the project.
SUMMARY. You can avoid 'Dissertation Hell'. The body of knowledge of
Project Management may not be directly transferable, but the
concepts highlighted above identify important issues that
should be considered. ABDs who struggle with problems of
illness, fatigue, procrastination, powerlessness and blues
may experience revitalization by applying these and other
concepts used routinely by project managers in a variety of
industries, viz., Purpose Statement and Agreements with
Customers (Advisor and Committee) on Project Scope,
Deliverables, Work Schedule, Performance Standards and Roles
and Responsibilities. (The author expresses appreciation to
Ronald Fox, Ben Dean, Patricia Thomas and Deborah Steely for
their assistance)
References
----------------
James P. Lewis, Project Planning, Scheduling and Control
Chicago Irwin Publishing, (Rev. ed) 1995
=================================================
About Dr. Mike Thomas
=================================================
Mike Thomas, Ph.D. (Sociology, UNC-CH) lives in Raleigh,
North Carolina. He coaches ABDs and other professionals.
Mike helps business executives increase company profits and
sleep better at night by reducing unwanted employee
turnover. For other information:
Michael C. Thomas, Ph.D.
Career Change and Job Search Coach
131 Chimney Rise Drive
Cary, NC 27511
Voice (919) 469-5775
Fax (919) 466-7268
MikeThomas@nc.rr.com
www.lifecareerinstitute.com
=================================================
Words of Wisdom
=================================================
The dissertation is just one part of your life.
The sooner you get this part done, the sooner
you can get on to other things.=================================================
Inspirational Quote
=================================================
" Great acts are made up of small deeds"
~~ Lao Tzu=================================================
Your Own Coach
=================================================
If you are considering whether to get your own coach
to help you reach your academic goals, send any
email to: ben16-76471@autocontactor.com
=================================================
BEN DEAN, Publisher, ABDSG
=================================================
Ben holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University
of Texas at Austin. He is the founder of MentorCoach
(www.MentorCoach.com) a virtual university training
accomplished mental health professionals to become
extraordinary coaches.
He is also founder of eCoach (www.ecoach.com) which
helps interdisciplinary professionals become coaches.
Ben lives in suburban Maryland with his wife and two
young children, and Walnut, their hamster.
=================================================
RACHNA D. JAIN, Editor, ABDSG
=================================================
I'm a dissertation coach and licensed psychologist
based in Maryland, with a doctorate from the University
of Denver. I'm the Editor of the ABDSG, as well as the
Author of "Get It Done! A Coach's Guide to Dissertation
Success" and "Get it Done Faster: Secrets of
Dissertation Success". If you'd like to learn more about
me or my books, please visit my website:
http://www.ExcelWithEaseCoaching.com
< http://www.excelwitheasecoaching.com/>
If you have questions about this newsletter, you can
direct them to me:rachna@mentorcoach.com
I'm excited to be working with you to meet your
academic goals. You can do it!
=================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
=================================================
" The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide"(tm) focuses
on ways to help its readers more readily overcome the
roadblocks that often seem to stand in the way of
completing the dissertation. It is read throughout
the world.
=================================================
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION COACH?
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
=================================================
Email: ben16-76471@autocontactor.com
You'll receive an email outlining the application
process, follow the instructions and submit the
form. Your application will then be forwarded to
potential coaches so that you might arrange a free,
initial consultation. Various fee plans are available.
=================================================
ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
=================================================
First, congratulations!!!! Yeaaaaaa!!!! Second,
please send any email to: FreeAtLast@mentorcoach.com
Within seconds, you'll receive a note from Ben.
=================================================
A FAVOR
=================================================
There are more than a million graduate students in
the US alone. Although we have subscribers worldwide,
we have barely scratched the surface. If you find this
newsletter helpful, forward it with your endorsement
to your friends, ABD list servers, sympathetic faculty
and administration, and, editors of print publications
(who will have our full permission to reprint these
newsletters - for free - if they wish).
=================================================
ARCHIVE
=================================================
Past issues of this newsletter are available at
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
=================================================
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
=================================================
If you've received this copy from a friend or
colleague and would like your own subscription,
you can sign up for it directly at
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/subscribe.htm
If you would like to have your name removed from
the subscription list, please click the link
at the bottom of this page to unsubscribe.
If this does not work, please send your
unsubscribe request to cathy@mentorcoach.com
=================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=================================================
Ben J. Dean, Ph.D MentorCoach(tm)
Voice: 301-986-5688
Fax: 301-913-9447
Web: www.abdsurvivalguide.com
Web: www.mentorcoach.com
(c)Copyright 2005 Ben J. Dean.
All rights reserved.==================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
Devoted to practical steps for completing your
doctoral dissertation.
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
==================================================
To subscribe, visit www.abdsurvivalguide.com
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/
INDEX
1. Ben's note
2. "A Dissertation is a Project to Manage"
(Or "How To Avoid Dissertation Hell")
by Dr. Michael C. Thomas
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational Quote
SUMMARY
=========
In this issue, Dr. Michael C. Thomas shares
information on how to set up your dissertation
like a project so you can avoid dissertation
hell.
We round out this issue with a motivational
Words of Wisdom & an inspirational quote.
<> ===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>
Ben's Note
June 2, 2005
Dear Reader,
You have probably heard that the best kind
of dissertation is a done dissertation, though
sometimes, it's not clear how you will get there
from here.
This issue's feature article may help, as it
outlines steps you can take to manage your
dissertation & the process along the way.
If you keep working on the dissertation step
by step, you will, eventually, get to
the goal.
If you could use a bit of extra motivation,
check out our inspirational quotes and
words of wisdom section.
See you in two weeks.
Ben
=================================================
" A Dissertation is a Project to Manage"
(Or "How To Avoid Dissertation Hell")
By Michael C. Thomas, Ph.D.
=================================================
The application of some key project management
concepts are straight forward and involve a
re-framing. Think of the dissertation as the
project, yourself as the project manager
and your advisor/committee as the customer.
A project is a one-time job that has starting
and ending points, clear objectives, and a
clear scope. It is a problem scheduled for
solution (Lewis, 1995). The primary objective
is for you to complete a quality product as
soon as possible. Project management techniques
are used extensively in construction, movie
production, and new product development,
e.g., drugs and software.
First, spend some time in the beginning
with your advisor/committee to negotiate
'Front End Agreements' or 'Contracts', which
boil down to getting as clear and as specific
as possible regarding: purpose, scope, deliverables,
deadlines, performance (product) standards
of the dissertation; your responsibilities
and those of the advisor and committee members.
If you are already into the process,
it may not be too late to ASK your advisor for a
renegotiation of these. When good contracts
are made, both your work process and the results
are deeply satisfying. When no contracts exist,
everything is uncertain and your
whole life can be miserable.
1. PURPOSE STATEMENT.
Frequently the purpose is expressed as:
'Add to the body of knowledge' or 'advance a
current technology', etc. Implicit purposes are:
to provide you with a 'union card',
higher income, satisfying employment and future
life. Without a comprehensive purpose statement,
there is no 'vision' to motivate and focus you
and the advisor. The 'Proposal' should include
a statement of Purpose for your whole life'. Such
a statement can remind you why this whole
endeavor was started in the first place and it can
inspire and energize you when you are down and
discouraged.
2. SCOPE AGREEMENT.
This is a statement of the breadth and depth
of the work that you must do to complete the
dissertation (project). It defines what will
and what will not be included in
moderately general terms.
* Without a clear and agreed upon 'scope' the
anticipated work can be too small (unacceptable
to the Advisor) or too large (a grandiose
10 year project). In either case, if the scope
increases, you can expect disruptive conflict
between you and your advisor, between you and
the pizza delivery guy, and between
you and your spouse (if any).
If the scope increases, unintentionally or not,
ALL the costs --- especially delays -- increase.
If the scope increases dramatically, what was
once a very challenging academic project suddenly
becomes 'an elephant that must eaten' or an
overwhelming monster.
A 'scope agreement' is likely to keep both you and
your advisor from allowing 'scope creep' to happen.
A scope agreement provides a first line defense for you
against a domineering advisor who may want to increase
the scope of the dissertation once it is underway. It
is more difficult for you to negotiate a reduction in
scope once you are half way into your dissertation.
*Once your dissertation becomes overwhelming and
undoable in your eyes, a project management tool
called 'Work Breakdown Structure' is a method of
subdividing work into smaller and smaller increments
that eliminates much of the dread and fear. Once hugh
tasks (chapters) are broken down into bite sizes
(sub-tasks and sub-headings), these can be sequenced
and scheduled.
3. DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE.
Without agreements on these --- what will be presented
and when --- many of the difficulties cited above are
likely. Schedules indicate that you are not expected
to work forever. They also permit your advisor to plan
his/her life --- since you are not at its center.
Without a deliverable schedule...
*The advisor may either put unrealistic time pressures
on you or forget you exist.
*Under panic you may do an unacceptable down-and-dirty
job or never finish.
*Unanticipated negative feedback from the Advisor ('much
more research needs to be done on this')may be
devastating to you. The sudden expectation of additional
months of work and delays can crush agreements made with
others ---family members and/or employers.
*Periodic deadlines may prohibit months of
procrastination and may assure a promising career rather
than a failed career and a failed marriage.
4. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
With agreements on performance standards, both you and
your advisor know when a piece of work is or is not
acceptable.
*Unless you have received performance feedback from this
Advisor on similar research in the past, your first
negative experience can result in an initial
defensiveness that is repeated throughout the life of
your dissertation. You can perceive your advisor as a
petty tyrant and you can be perceived by your advisor
as irresponsible. The results of this can be delay after
delay.
*On the other hand, positive feedback to you can generate
excitement and energy for you.
5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
Your role and responsibilities and those of your Advisor
must be agreed upon and confirmed periodically. The
'psychological contract' must be manifestly expressed as a
'social contract' however informally.
*It is easy for role definitions formed in the first grade
to continue into this project, viz., the Advisor is
'Lord', 'Commander', 'Boss', etc. and you are the
appropriate counterpart. A major obstacle to your progress
can be if you fall into dependent and powerless feelings
and behavior. Some empowerment strategies can be employed
by you and your Advisor. *Foremost among your self
empowerment strategies is for you to adopt a self-image of
Adult, Peer, Assistant Professor, and for your Advisor to
treat you that way. Closely associated with this is a
reasonable 'Scope' agreement up front.
*A 'buddy' or Coach can be an empowerment structure for you
at every stage of the project.
SUMMARY.
You can avoid 'Dissertation Hell'. The body of knowledge of
Project Management may not be directly transferable, but the
concepts highlighted above identify important issues that
should be considered. ABDs who struggle with problems of
illness, fatigue, procrastination, powerlessness and blues
may experience revitalization by applying these and other
concepts used routinely by project managers in a variety of
industries, viz., Purpose Statement and Agreements with
Customers (Advisor and Committee) on Project Scope,
Deliverables, Work Schedule, Performance Standards and Roles
and Responsibilities. (The author expresses appreciation to
Ronald Fox, Ben Dean, Patricia Thomas and Deborah Steely for
their assistance)
References
----------------
James P. Lewis, Project Planning, Scheduling and Control
Chicago Irwin Publishing, (Rev. ed) 1995
=================================================
About Dr. Mike Thomas
=================================================
Mike Thomas, Ph.D. (Sociology, UNC-CH) lives in Raleigh,
North Carolina. He coaches ABDs and other professionals.
Mike helps business executives increase company profits and
sleep better at night by reducing unwanted employee
turnover. For other information:
Michael C. Thomas, Ph.D.
Career Change and Job Search Coach
131 Chimney Rise Drive
Cary, NC 27511
Voice (919) 469-5775
Fax (919) 466-7268
MikeThomas@nc.rr.com
www.lifecareerinstitute.com
=================================================
Words of Wisdom
=================================================
The dissertation is just one part of your life.
The sooner you get this part done, the sooner
you can get on to other things.=================================================
Inspirational Quote
=================================================
" Great acts are made up of small deeds"
~~ Lao Tzu=================================================
Your Own Coach
=================================================
If you are considering whether to get your own coach
to help you reach your academic goals, send any
email to: ben16-76471@autocontactor.com
=================================================
BEN DEAN, Publisher, ABDSG
=================================================
Ben holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University
of Texas at Austin. He is the founder of MentorCoach
(www.MentorCoach.com) a virtual university training
accomplished mental health professionals to become
extraordinary coaches.
He is also founder of eCoach (www.ecoach.com) which
helps interdisciplinary professionals become coaches.
Ben lives in suburban Maryland with his wife and two
young children, and Walnut, their hamster.
=================================================
RACHNA D. JAIN, Editor, ABDSG
=================================================
I'm a dissertation coach and licensed psychologist
based in Maryland, with a doctorate from the University
of Denver. I'm the Editor of the ABDSG, as well as the
Author of "Get It Done! A Coach's Guide to Dissertation
Success" and "Get it Done Faster: Secrets of
Dissertation Success". If you'd like to learn more about
me or my books, please visit my website:
http://www.ExcelWithEaseCoaching.com
< http://www.excelwitheasecoaching.com/>
If you have questions about this newsletter, you can
direct them to me:rachna@mentorcoach.com
I'm excited to be working with you to meet your
academic goals. You can do it!
=================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
=================================================
" The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide"(tm) focuses
on ways to help its readers more readily overcome the
roadblocks that often seem to stand in the way of
completing the dissertation. It is read throughout
the world.
=================================================
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION COACH?
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
=================================================
Email: ben16-76471@autocontactor.com
You'll receive an email outlining the application
process, follow the instructions and submit the
form. Your application will then be forwarded to
potential coaches so that you might arrange a free,
initial consultation. Various fee plans are available.
=================================================
ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
=================================================
First, congratulations!!!! Yeaaaaaa!!!! Second,
please send any email to: FreeAtLast@mentorcoach.com
Within seconds, you'll receive a note from Ben.
=================================================
A FAVOR
=================================================
There are more than a million graduate students in
the US alone. Although we have subscribers worldwide,
we have barely scratched the surface. If you find this
newsletter helpful, forward it with your endorsement
to your friends, ABD list servers, sympathetic faculty
and administration, and, editors of print publications
(who will have our full permission to reprint these
newsletters - for free - if they wish).
=================================================
ARCHIVE
=================================================
Past issues of this newsletter are available at
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
=================================================
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
=================================================
If you've received this copy from a friend or
colleague and would like your own subscription,
you can sign up for it directly at
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/subscribe.htm
If you would like to have your name removed from
the subscription list, please click the link
at the bottom of this page to unsubscribe.
If this does not work, please send your
unsubscribe request to cathy@mentorcoach.com
=================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=================================================
Ben J. Dean, Ph.D MentorCoach(tm)
Voice: 301-986-5688
Fax: 301-913-9447
Web: www.abdsurvivalguide.com
Web: www.mentorcoach.com
(c)Copyright 2005 Ben Dean, Ph.D.
All rights reserved