Relevance and application of digital project management in academic research: A case study in a Medical Physics lab and practice.

BACKGROUND

The integration of project management (PM) methodologies in academic research is increasingly recognized as essential for improving research outcomes, enhancing team collaboration, and addressing issues of reproducibility and transparency.

PURPOSE

This case study aims to evaluate the impact of implementing a digital project management platform in a medical physics research laboratory and affiliated clinical practice, focusing on improvements in project coordination, research productivity, and trainee development.

METHODS

A digital PM platform was introduced in a medical physics lab (CVIT) and clinical setting (CIPG) at Duke University to support coordination of research and clinical projects, streamline manuscript and conference submissions, and manage software tool and dataset development. Prior to implementation, project tracking relied heavily on email threads and spreadsheets, resulting in fragmented communication and delays. Usage data and qualitative feedback were collected over a 24-month period to assess outcomes.

RESULTS

The implementation led to centralization of project information, more structured workflows, and real-time collaboration. Improvements were observed in task delegation, progress monitoring, and team accountability. The number of actively managed projects increased, project completion rates improved, and manuscript submission became more efficient. Additionally, the platform fostered project management literacy among trainees, providing them with valuable organizational and communication skills viewed as formative for their careers.

CONCLUSION

The integration of a digital project management platform improved research and clinical efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. It cultivated a culture of shared responsibility and structured progress tracking while supporting the professional development of trainees. These findings demonstrate the value of PM platforms in academic environments and provide practical insights for other research groups considering similar implementations.