NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING INC.
Executive Officer: Win Clark
PO Box 2193
Wellington
WELLINGTON 6140
NEW ZEALAND
Phone + 64 4 565 3650
Fax + 64 4 565 3650
E-mail: exec@nzsee.org.nz
Web Site: www.nzsee.org.nz
Proposal for the Establishment of a Technical Project Group (Study Group)
Name of Applicant:
Project Leader:
(if different from above)
Other Team Members:
Organisations
represented:
Postal Address:
Phone No:
Fax No:
Contact E-mail:
Title of Proposed Project
Group:
Technical Abstract:
(Provide a technical summary of the project and outline the purpose of
the project group. Write no more than 300 words)
Project Objectives and
Relevance:
(Describe how the project will satisfy the Society’s Mission and
objectives. How is the project relevant to New Zealand conditions and
why it needs to be done now?
Write no more than 300 words)
Deliverables:
(Deliverables should satisfy the principal purpose of a NZSEE
Technical Project Group)
Timeline of Milestones:
(max 2 years)
(Please list here a number of milestones and the approximate dates
which they will be achieved)
Amount Requested:
(max $5,000 p.a.)
Other NZSEE assistance
required?
Other Funding Sources?
Brief Budget:
Proposed Start Date:
(Please provide a table of how the NZSEE funds will be spent)
Proposed End Date:
Has Work Commenced?
Signature
Date:
Page 1 of 4
Please return completed proposals to:
Executive Officer
NZSEE Inc.
PO Box 2193,
WELLINGTON 6140
Phone & Fax:
E-mail:
Annual closing date
Round 1:
Round 2:
+64 4 565 3650
exec@nzsee.org.nz
1 March
1 September
Guidance Notes for Technical Project Groups
Background
Technical Project Groups (Study Groups) are at the core of the Society's range of activities. The
technical documents produced by these groups are keenly sought after by earthquake engineering
practitioners - both members and non-members.
Traditionally, Study Groups have been formed in response to issues of the day. A more proactive
approach is currently being adopted, with the Management Committee seeking new proposals from
members. Study Groups were also previously based largely on voluntary inputs. However there is
now recognition that the voluntary approach to inputs from members is no longer sustainable, and that
at least part of the time component of projects must be funded.
Taking these factors into account, the Society's Strategic & Financial Plan for the period 2000 to 2004
features significantly increased expenditure on Technical Project Group activities.
It is nevertheless important that new groups need to (i) satisfy appropriate criteria before they are
established, and (ii) once established must be managed within a defined structure with agreed budgets,
target outputs and time frames. A more systematic approach will benefit participating Society
members, and significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful project outcome.
This document summarises the purpose and function of Technical Project Groups, sets out the criteria
for their establishment and recommends a basic management framework.
Purpose and Function of Technical Project Groups
The principal purpose of NZSEE Technical Project Groups can be summarised as taking recent
research or findings and packaging them in a form that can be readily understood and applied
by practitioners.
Key functions that are commonly involved in this are
 summarising available scientific or engineering knowledge;
 developing a process or methodology to apply theoretical material; and
 preparing a technical report
This is typically in contrast to Standards Committees, where the emphasis is on formalising the use of
known or established technology. NZSEE Technical Project Group documents can in many cases be
regarded as 'pre-standards' - guidelines to assist practitioners become familiar with new material
before it becomes 'codified'.
Establishment of New Groups
Criteria that need to be addressed and where possible satisfied prior to the formal establishment of
new groups are:
 Breadth of interest to members
 Commitment of Project Leader(s)
 Availability of Society members (including 'new faces')
 Linkage with current international developments/activities
 Funding sources (industry or sector interests)
These criteria represent the key elements of a Project Plan that needs to be prepared and signed off by
the Management Committee before the commencement of a new Group.
The target time frame/ duration of new Groups should be two years, unless there is good reason to
vary this.
While a defined linkage with current international activities is not essential for all new Groups, this
criterion is intended to ensure that the 'bigger picture' is kept in mind in looking for new areas to work
in.
The process for establishing a new group is to:
 Identify Society members who are willing to contribute
 Prepare a proposal using the Proposal Template
 Send the completed proposal to the Executive Officer
There are two annual closing dates: Round 1 closes 1 March and Round 2 closes 1 September.
Proposals will be considered at the next scheduled meeting of the Management Committee.
Funding
A standard funding allowance of $5,000 per year is available for Technical Project Groups. As this
represents only a small contribution towards likely time costs and expenses of Group members,
Leaders are encouraged to work with the Management Committee to seek additional external funding
from industry sources or sectors that would benefit from the resulting technical document.
It is acknowledged that not all Technical Project Groups are externally marketable, and so other
funding sources may not be available. Groups that are internally focused (ie. technical 'tools' needed
by members) will need to have additional funding inputs from the Society's reserves. The
Management Committee may allocate additional funding as it sees fit, having due regard to the
Strategic & Financial Plan objectives and the funding demands of other projects.
Management Processes
Technical Project Group Leaders are required to provide brief two page progress reports to each
meeting of the Society's Management Committee which cover aspects such as:
 Technical developments and progress
 Immediate activity focus
 External liaison (with funders, industry groups, etc)
 Time frame for completion
 Budget update (funding obtained, key items of expenditure, overall projection)
These aspects can adequately be covered by notes from meetings of the Technical Project Group.
Group Leaders are required to prepare and deliver an annual report at the Society's Annual Technical
Conference.