UNC School of the Arts MFA Thesis Study Survey
Production & Project Management MFA 25', Carson R. Rainey
Navigating the balance of Process and Purpose for Project Success.
This survey will assist in the primary research and analysis of how "Process" and "Purpose" work together to drive project success. The study aims to create a shared language and conceptual framework between technical management and creative development. The goal is to identify quantifiable factors that predict the likelihood of successful development and long-term sustainability in new projects. In the following questions, we reference Purpose and Process within the entertainment & live production industry. The term Project will be used as a catch-all for any live event, theatre/dance performance, installation, immersive piece, or corporate entertainment projects.
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Your Information
Please provide some basic information about yourself and your role in the entertainment industry.
By completing this survey you are consenting to your responses being used and referenced in a MFA thesis.
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Name
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First Name
Last Name
Email
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example@example.com
Are you willing to continue to be a part of this study and potentially contacted again for a follow up interview?
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Yes
No
What is your primary role in the entertainment industry?
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What types of events, productions and projects do you work most on?
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How many years experience do you have in this position?
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Please link to your company or LinkedIn or event if applicable.
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Defining Success and Measuring Project Stability through Communication (Section 1 of 4)
Please answer the following questions based on your personal experiences and opinions. This section's intention is to analyze and collect information that aids in the overall successful outcome of a project.
Do you believe it is possible to predict the success of a project based entirely on the process intended to implement the project?
Yes
No
Do you believe it is possible to predict the success of a project based entirely on confidence in a project's purpose?
Yes
No
What metrics and indicators do you use to gauge a project's success while developing the project?
What metrics and indicators do you use to reflect on the success post-project?
In your experience, how transparent is the communication between project managers and project producers?
Not at All
1
2
3
4
Most Transparent
5
1 is Not at All, 5 is Most Transparent
In your experience, how consistent is the communication between project managers and project producers?
Not at All
1
2
3
4
Most Consistent
5
1 is Not at All, 5 is Most Consistent
What are common pitfalls of communication and collaboration between project managers and project producers throughout a project's timeline?
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Process in Projects (Section 2 of 4)
Please answer the following questions based on your personal experiences and opinions. This section's intention is to develop a framework around the idea of "Process" through your personal perspective and experiences.
How do you define Process for a project?
How important is the process in the success of a project?
Not Important
1
2
3
4
Most Important
5
1 is Not Important, 5 is Most Important
How consistently do you follow this process when working through a project timeline?
Least Consistent
1
2
3
4
Most Consistent
5
1 is Least Consistent, 5 is Most Consistent
Which phase or phases of a project requires the most alignment and defined structure in process?
Based on your previous answer, which aspects of the process in this phase most directly impact the projects success?
How would you ensure the follow-through of a well-defined process and structure in the implementation of a project?
Have you ever experienced a project where process was the sole contributor to the overall completion and success of a project? Please explain your answer.
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Purpose in Projects (Section 3 of 4)
Please answer the following questions based on your personal experiences and opinions. This section's intention is to develop a framework around the idea of "Purpose" through your personal perspective and experiences.
How do you define Purpose for a project?
How important is a clear and defined purpose in the success of a project?
Not Important
1
2
3
4
Most Important
5
1 is Not Important , 5 is Most Important
How does this purpose influence the overall successful outcomes of a project?
Not at All
1
2
3
4
Most Influential
5
1 is Not at All, 5 is Most Influential
How do you develop purpose and continue to measure purpose throughout a project's timeline?
To ensure success, who from the production team must agree with the defined purpose from the beginning of the project?
How do you communicate the purpose to this team throughout the projects complete timeline?
Have you experienced a project where a strong purpose was the sole contributor to a projects completion and success? Please explain your answer.
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Intersection of Process and Purpose (Section 4 of 4)
Please answer the following questions based on your personal experiences and opinions. Based on your answers in the previous two sections, this section's intent is to outline connections in both "Process" and "Purpose" from your personal outlook of project success.
Can a project succeed if it has a strong purpose but lacks a clear process?
Yes
No
Conversely, can a project succeed with a strong process but without a clear purpose?
Yes
No
How would you describe the relationship between purpose and process in the creation and success of a project?
In your experience, which component, the Purpose or the Process, has been more critical to the success of past projects? Why do you feel this way?
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Final Remarks
Please provide your opinions and thoughts from reflecting on your experiences after completing this survey.
If you had to choose just one, would you rather only work on projects with a strong purpose for the rest of your career or only be a part of projects with a proven process for the rest of your career? Please explain your choice.
What strategies do you use to ensure both sides (creative and logistics) understand and respect each other's needs and concerns of process and purpose during project development?
How do you feel Project Managers can best foster a culture that supports both structured planning and creative freedom?
Please leave any additional comments or feedback you have on the balance purpose and process in the entertainment industry here.
Thank you!
I greatly appreciate your time and effort in the completion of this survey. Your responses will significantly impact the research and development of my MFA thesis study.
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