Manage Projects and Teams Like a Pro: Make it With Agile Project Management (312)

10 and 11 December 2024

Dr Thomas Teichler

Topic

In the fast-paced world of research, managing multiple projects while adapting to constant changes can feel like herding cats. Enter Agile Project Management-a dynamic approach that keeps your end-goal in sight while breaking your work into manageable chunks, which are delivered iteratively and tested within short time frames. Yet agile is not just a method; it is a mindset. It encourages trial-and-error over perfection and emphasizes collaboration over solitary effort. This workshop will show you how agile can turn your project overwhelm into a well-oiled machine and make the process fun and motivating for your entire team.

We will dive into the core principles of agile PM, blending them seamlessly with team leader-ship elements. You will start by experiencing the agile approach firsthand, learn the key con-cepts, and apply them to your own projects. Whether you are leading a team of fellow re-searchers or mentoring students, this course will equip you with the tools to thrive.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Forge a strong, cohesive project team.
• Assess and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Define project impact by understanding the problem and characterising the user.
• Plan and execute tasks using the SCRUM approach.
• Visualise progress, conduct effective team meetings, give constructive feedback, and manage crises.
• Understand the key differences between traditional and agile project management.

You will be invited to stretch your limits and, by the end of the course, set out specific actions to ap-ply the agile principles you learned during the workshop to your projects. Finally, you will meet other, like-minded PhDs, making it easy for you to network and to support each other long after the course ends.

Methodology

The methods used in the workshop are highly interactive and participant driven. They combine per-sonal work, experiential learning exercises, dialogue, facilitated work in groups of varying size, co-creation, and reflection.

Learning proceeds on three levels: (1) We provide a theoretical overview. (2) Participants go through powerful experiences in individual and group exercises, which are discussed and debriefed together in a safe environment. (3)

Finally, by reflecting together, participants draw lessons from the interac-tion process in the class, increasing self-awareness and learning about good practices.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own knowledge and experiences to the table. We start by fostering a safe and supportive environment, allowing everyone to contribute and learn comfortably. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a personalised work plan to implement your new skills and continue developing long after the course ends.

Join us for a journey into agile project management that is not just educational, but also a whole lot of fun. Let us make your research projects not just manageable, but enjoyable and successful!

ONLINE!

Date: Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th December 2024

Schedule: 9:15 am to 5:15 pm

Location: Online

Trainer:

Dr Thomas Teichler is a certified Co-active coach, trainer and consultant on leadership, team development, and change management. After a few years with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants he set up his own market research and coaching business, before writing a PhD about science cooperation in the high-tech and security sector at the European University Institute in Florence. As a policy consultant Thomas worked for the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research at Manchester Business School in the UK and for Technopolis Group in Germany. He advised the European Commission, national governments and international organizations on research and innovation policy. He trains doctoral students and post-docs at universities in Switzerland and Germany, as well as the Max Planck Society.

16