Project Administration

This section provides references and tools to support administrative activities of population-based studies in genomics.

Please visit the following sections:

• Ethics, Governance and Engagement, for governance considerations;
• Sample Collection and Processing, for laboratory infrastructures.

In Theory

General documentation, guidelines related to administrative issues of project management.

Human Specimens for Research
This website discusses 3 main issues. First, it helps in locating tumor specimens and related data of interest. Legal and ethical issues are addressed and a model informed consent and patient information sheet are available. Finally, issues relating to the establishment and management of a tissue bank are discussed. The website is maintained by the Cancer diagnosis program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Best Practice Guidelines for Biological Resource Centres (OECD)
This document comprises the report on best practice guidelines for Biological Resource Centres (BRCs). Part I outlines the background and rationale to the project and describes the methodology used for articulating best practice guidelines and provides general recommendations on implementation and review. Part II describes the best practice guidelines themselves. Published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2007).

2008 Best Practices for Repositories Collection, Storage, Retrieval and Distribution of Biological Materials for Research (ISBER)
This document provides a comprehensive foundation for the guidance of repository activities on the management of human specimen collections. The recommended practices reflect the most effective approaches to the establishment and running of specimen collection facilities and are not intended as required practices. They will be reviewed periodically and will be revised to reflect advances in research and technology. Prepared by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (2008).

In Practice

Real-life examples and information related to administration of specific projects.

The National Children's Study: Detailed Summaries of Sample Size and Budget Constrained Cost Estimates (Appendix H)
This document helps establishing a study start-up budget. "White paper" developed for The National Children's Study . Cosupported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USA.gov (2004).

The National Children's Study: Detailed Summaries of Sample Size and Budget Constrained Cost Estimates and Power Calculations Using Revised Retention Rates (Appendix I)
This document helps establishing a study start-up budget using revised retention rates. "White paper" developed for The National Children's Study. Cosupported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USA.gov (2004).

IT Tools

Selected software for project administration.

Taskjuggler
Taskjuggler is an open source project management software for serious project managers. It covers the complete spectrum of project management tasks from the first idea to the completion of the project. It assists you during project scoping, resource assignment, cost and revenue planning, risk and communication management. This Open Source software is licensed under the GNU GPL.

KPlato
KPlato is the KOffice project management application. It focuses on planning and scheduling of projects. KPlato is being developed for the K Desktop Environment.

Open Workbench
Open Workbench is an open source Windows-based desktop application that provides robust project scheduling and management functionality and is free to distribute throughout the enterprise. Workbench is being developed by CA's Clarity Division (formerly Niku).

dotProject
dotProject is an open source Project Management software, aiming to provide the project manager with a tool to manage tasks, schedules, communication and sharing. dotProject is managed, maintained, developed and supported by a volunteer group and by the users themselves.

]project-open[
]project-open[ is a web-based ERP/Project Management software for organizations with 2-200 users. It integrates areas such as CRM, sales, project planning, project tracking, collaboration, timesheet, invoicing and payments.

FreeMind
FreeMind is a free software designed for keeping track of projects, including substasks, state fo substacks and time recording. Licensed under the GNU General Public Licence.