ABSTRACT
The number of collaborative projects each biostatistician is concurrently involved in varies, and usually the number is expected to be greater for those who have been collaborating for a while as well as those who have an existing established network of collaborators. The workload can also be seasonal, peaking during times just before deadlines for grant applications and abstract submissions for conference proceedings. This chapter provides a step-by-step guide to biostatistical project management and outlines procedures and processes a practicing biostatistician can adopt to help improve the efficiency of the collaboration process. A distinctive section of this chapter includes the use of a project file that can be created for every collaborative project. This file is useful for the biostatistician to keep track of the process and outcome of collaborations. Files and folder naming conventions are also described, including steps that can be taken to maintain data security and confidentiality, as well as tips on ensuring consistency and reproducibility in the data analysis. The pitfalls in project management (i.e. ‘how not-to’) are presented in this chapter. Guidelines on managing multiple collaborations as well as ways to identify and work with mentors to better manage collaborations are also described in this chapter.
