CSCCE now has two related trainings that are focused on project management – an Introduction to Project Management for Scientists Mini-workshop (PMI) and the Project Management for Scientists Bootcamp (PMB). Both trainings draw upon a core text, The Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, with materials contextualized for STEM scenarios and applied to custom STEM case studies by CSCCE staff.
Our Introduction to Project Management for Scientists is a two-hour workshop that addresses the following topics:
- Defining a project – and the difference between projects and operations
- Three different types of project and how they relate to complexity and uncertainty
- The seven characteristics of successful project leaders
We highly recommend you start your project management training with the Mini-workshop as the bootcamp builds upon these foundational concepts. You can find further details about that on our Mini-workshops page and all upcoming Mini-workshops are listed in our Events calendar.
Read on for more information about the Project Management for Scientists Bootcamp (which can be delivered as a two-day intensive or divided into six separate trainings and delivered at a different cadence).
Course overview
This two-day bootcamp intensive offers a grounding in the basics of project management, tailored to apply to specific STEM contexts. We developed the bootcamp with funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and ran a pilot in the late fall of 2024 for CZI grantees.
Over the course of this training, participants use CSCCE-created templates to create a Project Canvas describing the three key domains of a project (Foundation, People, and Creation) and the three building blocks of each domain (which include the project’s purpose, benefits, stakeholders, sponsor, and the plan for delivery and evaluation).
We use detailed STEM-specific case studies to support participants with completing the Project Canvas in small groups, with application sessions intended to aid participants in applying the concepts to their own project. In our experience, this provides the most value – supporting high fidelity acquisition of key concepts as well as dedicated time to make progress on individual projects with instructor support.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone managing a STEM project – whether that’s coordinating a multi-disciplinary grant, launching a new program, or delivering an update to technology or documentation. It’s is particularly applicable for:
- Project PIs
- Program / community managers
- Senior researchers and postdocs in leadership positions
- Graduate students and postdocs looking to upskill as they prepare for their next role
- Research staff, lab managers, and technicians
Prerequisites
We highly recommend that you take the Introduction to Project Management for Scientists Mini-workshop first.
Where this course fits in CSCCE’s community manager training catalog
This training is a standalone offering from CSCCE, however it is highly complementary to our flagship training, Scientific Community Engagement Fundamentals (CEF), as well as several of our Mini-workshops. It is not currently part of the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program curriculum.
Course structure
This course was initially designed to be a two-day bootcamp intensive. However, it is modular by design and may alternatively be split into six modules (as outlined in the course syllabus below) and delivered on separate dates (e.g., over a 3 – 6 week period).
The Project Management for Scientists Bootcamp (PMB) is a training we can also deliver for private groups, either as a bootcamp or as a multi-week training. Please reach out to training@cscce.org if this is something you would like to discuss.
Course syllabus
DAY 1
MODULE ONE: FOUNDATIONS
The first workshop session focuses on project foundations – the purpose of a project, the investment required to run it, and defining the benefits it will generate. Participants will choose from one of three case studies to begin building out their Project Canvas.
MODULE TWO: APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT CANVAS
With support from instructors, participants can choose to co-work, receive one-to-one support, or participate in a Q&A session about applying the Project Canvas to their own project.
MODULE THREE: PEOPLE
Then, in the second workshop session, we discuss the people aspects of the project – who is accountable for the project’s implementation, who will manage the project, who on the team has the necessary skills to carry out the work, and who are the stakeholders benefiting from the project’s outcome.
We also introduce the idea of a Project Canvas, and use an interactive version of it to go deeper on each of these project elements. As a participant in the bootcamp, you’ll work with others to explore a case study, while also starting to consider how these concepts relate to your own work.
DAY 2
MODULE FOUR: CREATION
We begin day two by considering the final part of the Project Canvas – creation. We focus on defining project deliverables, breaking down the project’s plan – the approach used and the timeline and tasks, and managing change, risk and stakeholder expectations.
MODULE FIVE: APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT CANVAS
With support from instructors, participants can choose to co-work, receive one-to-one support, or participate in a Q&A session about applying the Project Canvas to their own project.
MODULE SIX – FINAL PRESENTATIONS, IMPLEMENTATION TIPS
We close out the training by discussing the completed Project Canvas for each of the co-working groups, followed by tips for introducing the Project Canvas to your own organization.
Course text
Some of the key concepts and frameworks in this bootcamp are inspired by The Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez. It is an excellent introduction not only to what projects are, but also how the role of a project manager has evolved over time. We’ve interpreted and translated the book’s ideas for STEM contexts – including building out the activities, case studies, and supporting materials that we’ll be using together during this bootcamp. While it’s not essential for participants to purchase or read the book, it is a useful guide for anyone managing complex and collaborative projects.
Instructors
This course is led by:
- Lou Woodley, CSCCE Director
- Camille Santistevan, Director of Learning
- Alice Martinic, Learning Technology Specialist and Trainer
Included in the course fee
Participants in the bootcamp will leave with:
- A clear understanding of what project management is, as well as the role of the project manager
- A glossary supporting acquisition of a core vocabulary to describe their work in terms of project management
- Case studies, worksheets, and shared notes from the two days of the bootcamp
- A Project Canvas worksheet of their own to use in their own work
- A digital badge which they can share with their networks on social media, their personal website, and more
Testimonials
Participants in our pilot offering of this bootcamp said:
“Thank you so much for all of the effort that went into making this so valuable and engaging! It is one of the best workshops/bootcamps I have ever attended!”
“…the facilitation was incredible, everyone was so engaged with discussion and responding to written docs and comments in a way that is very rare in bootcamps or trainings. Really appreciate how personalized the feedback was!”
“Today’s training has led me to answer some really hard and useful questions. E.g. ‘Why is now the best time to pursue this project?’”
“You create such a welcoming environment where people feel safe to share their thoughts. Thank you for that!”
“The instructors are very knowledgeable and experienced and they have real-word examples to demonstrate.”
Upcoming session
More information about a Q1 2025 session of this training is coming soon.
Past sessions
PMB24CZI
Our Fall pilot of Project Management for Scientists (#PMB24CZI) ran on 29 October (Intro session) and 3-4 December 2024.
Related consultancy offerings
CSCCE staff have extensive experience in managing and supporting complex collaborative projects in STEM. We offer related trainings in preparing and designing for large-scale collaborations, convening stakeholder meetings, and facilitating decision-making online.
If you’d like to learn more about our consulting services on this topic, please email training@cscce.org to schedule a conversation.