Project Management for Research

9 & 16 December 2014

Dr Ulrike Rapp-Fitchett

Project management is a valuable skill that can be applied right from the outset of doctoral research. It is also a skill that prospective employers highly appreciate - both inside, but especially outside, the university environment. The doctoral research project presents an ideal context in which to learn and apply the basic processes, tools and techniques of project management.

Participants in this workshop learn how they can use their limited resources effectively. Ideally suited to the beginning of the research project, understanding the concepts and practices of project management and applying them to their doctoral thesis will help participants to guide the research process towards its completion, and to build vital skills for their future career.

Course Objectives
After this course, the participants are able to:

• define the terms “project”, “project management” and “project boundaries”
• structure a project in phases, subprojects, work packages and set milestones
• plan a phase in detail, and track and control progress
• analyse the project’s stakeholders and produce a concept to inform them adequately
• identify project risks and develop measures for managing them
•  document project progress
• define roles and responsibilities in a project context
• use aspects of project management to work constructively with others in a project environment
• apply selected project management processes, tools and techniques effectively to their own research project (transfer period)

Content

• Systems analysis; defining project boundaries
• Structuring projects in phases; designing work packages; setting milestones
• Formulating project objectives (for the whole project or for the next phase)
• Planning project time and workload in detail
• Project tracking and controlling
• Stakeholder analysis and information concept
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Project organisation: roles and responsibilities
• Documenting projects
• Project start and end

Methods
Short theoretical inputs, exercises, small-group discussions. Participants work on applying the theory to their own projects.

Target Group
Participants should already have an outline of the project’s content or have written a project proposal. No prior knowledge of (classical) project management is assumed.

The workshop can be attended at any stage of the doctoral work, to greatest advantage during the first half of the project.

Transfer Phase
The transfer phase is an integral part of the course. In the time between the two course days, participants will apply several project management methods to their own projects and bring the results to the second day.

Lausanne COMPLET

Date : Tuesdays, 9th and 16th December 2014

Schedule: 9.00 - 18.00

Location: University of Lausanne

Trainer: Dr. Ulrike Rapp-Fitchett studied pharmacy at the EPFZ, and did her PhD at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the University of Zürich. From 1994 to 2010 Dr. Rapp Fitchett has been working in the field of project management in the pharmaceutical industry, initially as a leader for Swiss and EU projects, and then for over 10 years in charge of global development programs. In 2011 she received her PMP (Project Management Professional) licence from the PMI (Project Management Institute, PA, USA) and began in 2011 a training program at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training in Lausanne. In 2012 she obtained the Certificate of the Swiss Federation for Adult Education SVEB/FSEA, and plans to complete the Swiss Federal Licence as an Adult Trainer in 2014. In parallel to her studies, Dr Rapp-Fitchett works as a Director of Community Outreach for the PMI Switzerland Chapter.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the town of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class).

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