It is important to have a completion plan already in the start up phase of a 3-4 year long PhD project.

As pointed out in module 1, a PhD is no longer the life work of a candidate in a strong collaboration with a supervisor, but more like one step on a career road that will lead in different directions. The candidates are normally quite young and will struggle to complete the PhD degree when funding expires. Therefore, both the candidate and the supervisor should plan for completion within funding deadline throughout the project period.

A detailed and realistic progress plan in the project description is an important tool. A brilliant academic project is great, but it needs to be carefully evaluated in accordance with the 3 years time frame.

Here is one way to focus on completion, but there are others...