Going Big- A Scientist's Guide to Large Projects and Collaborations

cover of Going Big book by Stubbs

The book "Going Big- A Scientist's Guide to Large Projects and Collaborations" was written by Christopher Stubbs to serve as a handbook for scientists who are making a transition into large collaborative projects. It contains a quick over of technical project management basics, and a description of how to thrive in the complex sociology of large teams. The book was published by MIT Press in 2024, and is available as a free PDF through their Open Access program. 

Table of contents: 

1 AN INTRODUCTION TO BIG PROJECTS AND LARGE TEAMS 

2 OUR CHALLENGE: BALANCING COST, RISK, AND PERFORMANCE 

3 THE LIFE CYCLE OF A BIG PROJECT 

4 AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT 

5 EXTERNAL REVIEWS ONCE BIG PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY 

6 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES FOR PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS 

7 BEING AN EFFECTIVE MEMBER OF A BIG ENDEAVOR 

8 ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS SPECIFICALLY FOR JUNIOR SCIENTISTS 

9 CLOSING THOUGHTS 

Appendix 1: Review Presentation Checklist 

Appendix 2: Example Review Charge 

Notes 

Bibliography 

Index