Detailed information about the course

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Title

Project Management for Research (316)

Dates

17 and 31 October 2016 COMPLET/FULL

Lang EN Workshop language is English
Organizer(s)
Speakers

Dr Pam Alean-Kirkpatrick

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, 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 and/or sub-projects with work packages, and set milestones
  • plan the next stage of the project in detail, and track and control progress
  • characterise the project's stakeholders and produce a concept to inform them adequately
  • identify project risks and develop measures for managing them
  • 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

  • Structuring projects in phases and/or sub-projects; designing work packages; setting milestones
  • Formulating project objectives (for the whole project or for the next stage)
  • Project scheduling: planning workload and project time in detail
  • Project tracking and controlling
  • Stakeholder analysis and information concept
  • Risk assessment and risk management
  • Project organisation: roles and responsibilities
  • 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 (approximately 6 hours of work).

 

Location

Université de Fribourg

Information

Date: Mondays 17th and 31st October 2016

Schedule: 9:00 to 17:30

Location: University of Fribourg


Trainer:
Pamela Alean-Kirkpatrick studied chemistry at Durham University, UK, has a postgraduate certificate in education PGCE also from Durham, and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Zurich. She has worked for ETH and the University of Zurich as an academic developer for over 20 years at Centres for University Teaching and Learning, at the Department of Biology UZH and in Human Resources ETHZ.

She has her own "one-woman company" called alean-academics: personal development in a university context. Her work focuses primarily on fostering the development of young academics from a range of disciplines, and on the advancement of women in academia.

As a freelance trainer, Dr Alean Kirkpatrick gives courses in transferable skills (e.g. project management for research, oral and poster presentations, career development, mentoring, university teaching and learning) for researchers at institutions of higher education throughout Switzerland and in neighbouring Germany.

Expenses

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). For full-day workshops, lunch costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of original receipts (no photocopies or scans). A reimbursement form will be supplied to all registered participants for this workshop.

Places

12

Deadline for registration 10.10.2016
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