A dissertation is a complex project that requires the student to integrate high scientific as well as organizational demands. Project management offers several tools that help to keep the overview, to achieve goals faster and to work more efficient.
In this course, we will review project management essentials for organizing scientific work as well as workshops, meetings and other projects and introduce advanced methodologies such as Lean and PRINCE2. As a participant you will learn how to manage multiple projects at the same time, handle risks and deal with limited resources in a complex and changing environment. You will plan the final phases of your PhD such as the writing process and begin setting goals and developing an action plan for your future. Further development and improvement of your teamwork, leadership and communication skills will help you to deal with difficult situations such as lack of support and conflicting interests. The course will be interactive with solo and team exercises complementing input lectures and theoretical knowledge. Numerous real-life examples and practical tips and tricks will be provided.

The course highly motivates you as a scientist to expand your knowledge of project management methods and improve your soft skills to successfully work in and lead a team. The skills developed during this course will enable you to efficiently initiate and coordinate multiple projects at the same time and begin planning your future beyond the PhD. Prior knowledge of project management basics will be helpful but with some extra effort you will be able to quickly catch up even if you haven´t attended the project management for early researchers’ course (the slides of the beginners’ course can be provided prior to the advanced course upon request).

The course will deal with:

• Planning the future using SMART objectives