Workshop: Project Management in Science and Research

In this course I take the participants through the core principles of well grounded systemic project management and lead them towards seeing the value of an approach, that is the opposite of traditional, tools-driven linear management. They experience how these principles translate to leading projects in a science context. As we walk through at a high level, the participants learn how to set up a simple, proven structure that is effective at driving engagement within the project team and with external stakeholders. The course participants see the benefit of developing consistent project plans, and learn how they successfully communicate the value of their project proposal to funding agencies and stakeholders. All aspects discussed lead towards becoming a more complete and well-rounded scientist owning a unique project leadership signature.

Target group

Researchers of WU, who would like to improve their knowledge about and competences for the professional management of projects in the science and research context.

Goals

• Further development of competences for the professional management of projects in science on the basis of a theoretically sound and field-tested systemic project management approach.
• Understanding the key characteristics of projects in the science and research context.
• Understanding the relevance of professional project management for successful project funding proposals.
• Application of project management methods to real projects or project ideas of the course participants.
• Central aspects of (virtual) kick-off meetings in an international research context
• Support of the transfer work between the modules
• Integration of the WU-manual “Projektmanagement@WU” into the course and development of a basis for a PM certification according to Projekt Management Austria (pma)

Course Design

Kick Off (online)

The aim of the online kick-off meeting is to present the course layout and discuss mutual expectations based on each participants’ background and experience. It allows the trainer to individualize the course content and ensure each participant to work towards his/her individual goals. The participants will be introduced to the "preparation phase" (2 weeks until start of module 1).

Module 1 (in person)

Content

• Professional project management, aligned with the strategies of funding bodies (national/international), as an essential contribution to successful project proposals
• Project management approaches and project types in the context of science and research
• Differences between project management and administrative requirements by funding bodies
• Perception of projects as social systems and conclusions
• Stakeholder and relationship management as a central goal of project management
• Project management methods as a basis for planning, controlling and communication in projects
  • Project roles in science and research projects; role of funding agencies
  • Designing the project organisation in science and research projects
  • Performance, schedule, resource and cost planning
• Discussion of case studies, discussion of funding application evaluations

Implementation Phase

During the implementation phase, the course participants transfer the course content to their own science or research projects (or an initial idea of it).

Module 2 (in person)

Content

• Differences between process-oriented project management and (administrative) requirements of national and international funding bodies
• Methods and tools to organise the project start and project controlling (on site and virtual) process
• Objectives, contents and importance of project start and project controlling workshops/meetings
• Real-life case studies and examples

Didactic Approach

• Self-assessment of individual project management competence
• Self-study
• Trainer inputs, practical examples
• Inverted classroom to ensure practice-orientation (reflection, discussion, feedback and good-practice-examples as core working forms)
• “Training on the Research Project”: work on real projects in the science and research context that are provided by the course participants

• Further development of competences for the professional management of projects in science
• Understanding the key characteristics of projects in the science and research context
• Understanding the relevance of professional project management for successful project funding proposals
• Application of project management methods to real projects
• Central aspects of (virtual) kick-off meetings in an international research context
• Development of a basis for a PM certification according to Projekt Management Austria (pma)