Detailed information about the course

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Title

Project Management for Research (315)

Dates

16 and 19 April, 3 May 2018

Lang EN Workshop language is English
Organizer(s)
Speakers

Dr Ulrike Rapp Fitchett

Description

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 and 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 very interactive 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 allow participants to create a project management plan for their thesis. This project management plan guides the research process towards its successful completion, and its creation builds vital skills for the participants' future career.

 

Workshop content

• Basic principles of project management• Evaluating a project proposal/charter
• Analyzing stakeholders and developing an information concept
• Facilitating collaboration in a project context
• Creating a work breakdown structure: structuring projects in phases & subprojects; designing work packages; setting milestones
• Formulating SMART project objectives
• Planning project time and workload in detail = scheduling
• Assessing and managing risks
• Project monitoring and controlling
• Documenting projects
• Reviewing agendas for project kick-off and closing meetings
• Code of ethics and professional conduct of PMI (Project Management Institute).

Learning outcomes:

After this course, the participants are able to:

• define the terms "project" and "project management", use the project management triangle• critically review a project proposal• analyze the project's stakeholders and produce a concept to inform them adequately
• use aspects of project management to work constructively with others in a project environment
• structure a project in phases, subprojects, work packages; set milestones and define intermediate objectives
• plan a phase in detail, and monitor and control progress
• identify project risks and develop measures for managing them
• document project progress, analyse agendas for kick-off and closing meetings
• apply selected project management processes, tools and techniques effectively to their own research project (during the workshop and the two transfer periods)
• choose to conduct themselves according to the ethical standards proposed by PMI.

Pedagogical methods

Very interactive workshop featuring short theoretical inputs with practical examples, exercises, small-group and plenary discussions. Participants work on applying the PM methods, tools and techniques to their own projects, during the workshop and during the two transfer periods.

Requirements

Participants should already have an outline of the research project's content or have received written or received a project proposal. No prior knowledge of 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 PhD project.

Preparatory/Transfer Work

The participants will be asked to do a preparatory exercise describing their project and learning objectives and to send it by e-mail to the trainer one week ahead of the first training day (approximately 15 minutes of work).

The two transfer phases are an integral part of the course. In the interim period of the 3-day workshop, participants will apply several project management methods to their own projects and bring the results to the next day of the workshop (approximately 8 hours of work in total). Participants' transfer works will be debriefed during the second and third workshop day.

Location

University of Geneva

Information

Date : Monday 16 April, Thursday 19 April and Thursday 3 May 2018 (3 days)

Schedule: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: University of Geneva

Trainer

Dr. Ulrike Rapp Fitchett studied pharmacy at the EPFZ, and did her thesis at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the University of Zürich, in parallel to a full-time University assistant position. Thanks to the latter position, and in addition to the PhD, she earned a Diploma as Specialist in Medical Laboratory Analyses FAMH.

From 1994 to 2010 Dr. Rapp Fitchett worked 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 pro-grams. In 2011 she received her PMP (Project Management Professional) license from the PMI (Project Management Institute, PA, USA) and began in 2011 a training program as an Adult Trainer at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Institut Fédéral des Hautes Etudes en Formation Professionnelle EHB IFFP IUFFP) in Lausanne. In 2012 she obtained the Certificate of the Swiss Federation for Adult Education SVEB/FSEA, and in 2014 the Swiss Federal License as an Adult Trainer.

Dr. Rapp Fitchett has completed her studies at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training with an applied research project. In January 2016, she earned a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) "Specialization in Vocational Education and Training for Adults". Dr. Rapp Fitchett currently works as an independent adult trainer and quality auditor in the field of education and vocational training.

Expenses

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the city of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class). A reimbursement form will be supplied to all registered participants for this workshop.

Places

12

Deadline for registration 09.04.2018
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