D7.1 Project Management Handbook

The purpose of this deliverable is to serve as the core management handbook for the execution of the EFRA project. In general, project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. The focus of this document will be on three key aspects of project management, management and reporting, quality assurance and risk assessment, mitigation and monitoring. The managerial processes presented in the report include the following:

• Managing the consortium towards meeting project requirements and creating project deliverables
• Communicating within the consortium, with external third parties as well as with the European Commission
• Addressing the various needs of the stakeholders in planning and executing the project
• Submitting reports and deliverables
• Legal and financial tasks in the EFRA project such as:
• • Management of contractual issues and timely distribution of corresponding documents and relevant information to partners (e.g. regarding grant agreement and consortium agreement)
  • Communication between consortium partners and the EU on project and funding-related questions

The second part of the deliverable presents the quality assurance part of the handbook outlines the rules, the mechanisms and the processes that are set in place to ensure and achieve a certain quality level in the project structure and its outcomes.

The last part is concerned with a crucial task, of with identifying and monitoring project risks. To this direction, this deliverable will also describe the steps and actions needed to set up and implement appropriate contingency plans.

The main goal of the handbook will be to provide guidance to all partners regarding questions of management and quality control as well as to facilitate their cooperation within the project. In this context, it depicted efficient ways of collaboration between the management team and Work Package (WP) leaders. It also supported partners through clear and concise management and quality procedures to achieve their specific missions and tasks. This guide will serve as the core reference for the organisation and delivery of the day-to-day work by the consortium, throughout the project duration.