The project of nanotechnology an exploratory literature review

This paper looks at the environmental and health challenges that are experienced during the management of nanotechnology projects. Further analysis into why such projects require close attention from the managers responsible, is also analyzed in this paper. The resource input is closely outlined to show just how much important finances and equipment are important in nanotechnology project management. Key words: Project management, principles, problems, resources, nanotechnology. Introduction Nanotechnology refers to the manipulation of atoms and molecules, in the technology industry. The findings and qualitative analysis section provides an overview of what has been established from the whole research after reviewing literature. Finally, the conclusion sums up the discussions in the research about nanotechnology project management. Literature Review Bhushan (2016, p. 25) argued that in every nanotechnology project, the provision of resources is very vital in ensuring the project achieves its intended objectives and goals.

This means that all the technology that may be required to establish an understanding of the concepts that are being studied must be availed in order for the project to be a success. The availability of machinery and the necessary technology is definitely a big boost to a project manager as the processes involved in practically finding out certain information shall be simplified. Finances are also part of the resources that are required in a nanotechnology project because a lot of investment has to be done in managing human beings and processes. For any research to yield the desired outcomes an individual has to financially invest in the study. The nanotechnology industry requires strong financial capabilities because a lot of equipment used in the acquisition of information is technical and, therefore, expensive.

This requires a project manager to be keen on the budget so that no funds are misappropriated as that could lead to the project running short on financial resources. However, according to Fadel and company (2015, p. 8), there may be some problems during the undertaking of nanotechnology projects just like any other task would experience difficulties. This is putting into consideration the idea that nanotechnology consists of the use of molecular and atomic substances, coupled with technology. There is always the risk of tampering with the environment when handling such kinds of issues. These problems are part of the project and managers need to keenly analyze and address them so that the projects can be undertaken to completion. Alternatively, these particles can also be absorbed into the body via the human skin, which has pores that the nanoparticles can easily penetrate through.

This becomes a problem to the health of individuals who work in nanotechnology studies and manufacturing processes. Therefore, project managers always have to put into consideration the issue of pollutants. From the study of Bhat and company (2015, p. 200), there are a variety of diseases that can be caused by the entry of nanoparticle into the human body. These challenges only serve to make project managers sharper so that they can make sure they achieve their intended targets. They also form part of all the processes that take place in the nanotechnology industry and, therefore, cannot be avoided but they can be controlled. There are several principles that a project manager ought to put into consideration when managing a nanotechnology project. The principle of unifying the risks, resources, and targets of a project is very important in helping achieve the desired goals.

This is vital because these three aspects go hand in hand in influencing the structure of the project. This makes management easier than it may be expected. Hence, it is important understanding that project management in this industry comprises of a variety of factors that aid in the accomplishment of the objectives. According to Kulkarni (2015, p. 330), the principle in relation to the planning and monitoring processes has to ensure that these two procedures are in continuity. This is mainly because to manage a project well, an individual has to monitor what is going on at various levels of the project. It is crucial noting that the monitoring and planning processes require a lot of financial support from the resource available for the project.

This means that more management skills are needed form the project manager to ensure that the resources are well utilized because these two processes are key to sustaining the life of a project in the nanotechnology industry. However, according to Fadeel and company (2018, p. 537), it is vital noting that safety measures have in these days been given priority when handling the nanotechnology projects. This is because there are advanced tools that are used in the analysis of nanomaterials so that the project managers can always know that there is a threat, which they need figure out how best to go past it. Research Approach and Methodology Google Scholar and Google Books are the two databases that helped me gather all the necessary information that was useful for my literature analysis.

Google Scholar is a good database in the sense that it has the feature of exporting citations. It also has the advantage of containing scholarly articles that have been put together by a lot of experts in the different fields of research. Harzing and Alakangas (2016, p. 795) provide further explanations that Google Scholar has a wide coverage of information that makes it convenient for users. Apart from finances, it was also clear that there is some equipment that is necessary because of the engineering of molecules that takes place to yield products that come out of the nanotechnology process. Machines like microscopes are essential in aiding the project manager view the small-sized particles that are used in the research. Such kind of resources as I realized, can easily be found in national laboratories to ease the burden of individual researchers who may not be in a position to afford some resources on their own.

It was also clear that nanotechnology centers are a very good source of educational guidance for the project managers who wish to carry out their duties and successfully complete their projects. When funding becomes a problem, project managers can often turn to the government or the private sector sponsors to seek for finances. Figure 4 source: Based on personal analysis Finances, equipment, principles of nanotechnology, environmental, and health challenges are the major issues that influence how a nanotechnology project is managed. These aspects have been emphasized differently over the years with more stress being put on most of the factors as the years advance. This is an indication of how serious these factors are treated in order to make project managers aware of them.

Conclusion It is vital understanding that nanotechnology projects are distinct in their own way because they involve the manipulation of very small pieces of molecules and atoms. This makes their management very difficult and cost consuming, considering the planning and monitoring processes as has been explained in the literature review. Bhushan, Bharat. "Introduction to nanotechnology: History, status, and importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology education. " Global Perspectives of Nanoscience and Engineering Education. Springer, Cham, 2016. Canu, Irina Guseva, et al. " Nano Today 11. Fadeel, Bengt, et al. "Advanced tools for the safety assessment of nanomaterials. " Nature nanotechnology 13. Fadel, Tarek R. "Google Scholar, Scopus and the Web of Science: a longitudinal and cross-disciplinary comparison. " Scientometrics 106. Ibrahim, Rusul Khaleel, et al. "Environmental application of nanotechnology: air, soil, and water.