SENSE research plans
A research plan guides your completion of a time-constrained research activity, like a PhD.
To draw a research plan for a PhD start backwards, from the completion date. This can be determined by yourself (a personal goal) or hard constraints, like army drafting, a funding agency deadline, or the University's maximum term limits. Go at least two months backwards to leave some breathing space for emergencies and set that as the viva date. Plan to have your thesis ready 1-2 months earlier to allow your committee's members to send you comments. Then set the dates for finishing specific chapters. Give concrete chapter titles. Again, allow time for receiving and handling comments by your supervisor. Also include dates for specific milestones, like completing software implementation, measurements, experiments, or interim publications (you can also link to your publication plan if you prefer). Research contains many unknowns; leave padding space around risky tasks. The plan need not be perfect or final. It is a tool that will allow you and your supervisor to track your progress. Remember to update it as your research progresses.
