Design and management of research projects is a complex task which varies widely with the people and circumstances involved. The paper attempts to distill the literature and the author's personal experience into the basic elements of project management. Thus it is subjective and selective. It also is based largely on experience within the United States. Since management is the art of influencing human behavior, it has a significant cultural component. Some of the principles described herein may differ significantly under other cultural or social conditions. Finally, the discussion deals primarily with applied research in a governmental or industrial research organization rather than the more basic research typically found in academia.