The template team contains templates for all of the documents as tabs that are useful in setting up a project. They include a project initiation document (PID), risk register, issue log, communication schedule, contact directory and a link to the institutional project dashboard. These are appropriate for all sizes of project and can be easily edited to suit each project. There is also a step-by-step guide with screenshots to walk you through the process of setting up the team and each of the documents. The tabs are standardised documents used across the university, which helps maintain order and consistency, improving efficiency. The template team is available to all, although you will have to be added to the team manually to be able to copy and edit the team and its contents. If you would like to discuss the template team or request access, please email strategic-projects@lancaster.ac.uk.

All of the templates available on the templates team are also available individually. All of the documents are created in Microsoft applications that are available to all staff at Lancaster University. They are user-friendly and familiar to staff who are used to working with other Microsoft applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel. There are step-by-step instructions for anybody who is not familiar with the applications, and also to explain what each of the sections is for, for those not experienced in project management. The resources are freely available to all, please email strategic-projects@lancaster.ac.uk if you would like access to the following templates:

• Project initiation document (PID)
• Risk register
• Issue log
• Communication schedule
• Contact directory
• Project dashboard

An important aspect of project management is considering where the project fits within and around other projects across the institution. The university has a varied portfolio of projects being run at any one time, each of which may or may not have implications for other projects (for example, resources such as marketing, finance, programme officers and other professional and academic services). Having an understanding of current projects that involve a moderate or large number of staff or departments helps to plan for the best use of resources and to identify potential collaborations with staff working on other projects to improve efficiency and pool resources.

Our team host a monthly 90-minute meeting to bring together those involved in projects across the university. These meetings begin with key updates on projects, followed by one or two longer presentations on specific projects, and ending with another group discussion. The format is informal and relaxed.

The group can be used to keep up to date with projects, but can equally be helpful in practising presentations that will be delivered in more formal settings, or to share ideas and receive feedback from a friendly group of project staff with a range of interests and experiences before moving onto the next phase in a project.

If you would like more information or are interested in joining the group, please email strategic-projects@lancaster.ac.uk.