PREFACE

The scale and cost of archaeological projects has increased dramatically in the last two decades and this has highlighted the need for formal project management procedures to be introduced into archaeological projects. In the past when these were relatively small scale and few in number the processes of project planning, estimating, timetabling, and selection were correspondingly simple. Formalising the management procedures which were previously implicit is fundamental to successful future archaeological endeavour and to the credibility of the profession.

In this document the principles of archaeological project management have been worked through in the context of a large-scale excavation and its subsequent programme of post-excavation analysis. This is because such projects are generally the most costly and the most challenging to manage. It should be stressed, however, that the model put forward in section 3 is applicable to all archaeological projects regardless of scale, although it is recognised that the precise application of the model will vary from project to project. It will not be necessary in every case to go through each of the five phases identified, but the repeated cycle of activities identified and used within each project phase will always be relevant and applicable. This model starts on the assumption that a decision to initiate a project has already been taken.

English Heritage would now like to see other groups apply, interpret, and develop this framework with reference to their own particular areas of interest, and to other types of project, with the aim of ultimately establishing a consensus on good professional and management standards and practice in all areas of archaeological work. It is likely to become necessary in future for this document to be again revised in the light of practical experience and we intend to facilitate this process through continuing discussion. In addition it may be necessary to promote or develop training programmes to facilitate the adoption of the processes described.