Project Management
Cluster
Career management
Target group
PhD candidates, no previous knowledge required
Teacher
True Colours
Abstract
Project Management: How to Become a PhD Manager is a practice-oriented training programme designed to help doctoral researchers take ownership of their PhD project from the very start. The course introduces participants to essential project, self- and stakeholder-management tools, specifically adapted to the realities of academic research. Through a combination of interactive teaching, hands-on exercises, peer learning, and personalised application to their own project, participants learn how to plan, structure, communicate about, and steer their doctoral research in an effective, confident, and sustainable way. Spread across four half-day sessions, the programme supports participants in developing transferable skills that strengthen their overall academic practice and future career.
Objectives
After completing the programme, participants will be able to act as effective “PhD Managers” by demonstrating ownership in three key domains:
Managing their Project
- Clearly define and continuously safeguard the scope of their research project
- Develop a realistic long-term milestone plan and derive short-term monthly and weekly plans through reverse planning.
- Use project-management tools (e.g., project charter, milestone planning) to guide decisions, manage uncertainty, and adjust the approach where necessary.
Managing their Environment
- Identify key stakeholders (e.g., supervisors, collaborators, research partners) and understand their roles and expectations.
- Develop constructive communication strategies tailored to each stakeholder.
- Influence their academic environment proactively and reactively in order to optimise collaboration and project progress.
Managing themselves
- Prioritise effectively and organise daily work to align with the project plan.
- Apply self-management principles (e.g., Getting Things Done, Deep Work, Eisenhower Matrix) to increase focus, productivity, and well-being.
- Recognise personal strengths and pitfalls and respond resiliently to setbacks throughout the doctoral journey.
Programme Structure
The training consists of four half-day sessions, spaced 2–3 weeks apart to allow for application in the participants’ ongoing research.
Session 1 – Projects: Types and Structure
- Introduction to what constitutes a project and how research projects differ from routine work
- Roles and responsibilities: translating project sponsor and project leader roles to the supervisor–PhD relationship.
- Project approach: project scope, the “Bermuda triangle” (objectives, resources, timing), and the project charter.
Session 2 – Shared Leadership and Project Planning
- Peer review and intervision on project charters and conversations with supervisors.
- Milestone planning: setting up, maintaining, and using a milestone plan for steering and decision-making.
- Introduction to advanced project structures (agile, hybrid, Lean Research approaches).
- Self-management frameworks and tools to support productive daily work.
Session 3 – Communication and Stakeholder Management
- Peer review on milestone planning and its use during the PhD.
- Stakeholder analysis and development of a communication plan for the PhD project.
- Impact of behaviour and context: interpersonal behaviour models, diversity and inclusion in research settings.
- Influencing skills: situational influencing, Connective Clarity and adapting communication style to context and needs.
Session 4 – Impact and Integration
- Final peer review of stakeholder analysis and communication plans against predefined criteria.
- Consolidation of all project-management tools and how they support each stage of the PhD.
- Open Space segment based on participants’ remaining questions (e.g., team projects, in-depth self-management).
- Development of personal action plans (“Letter to myself”) and commitments with learning buddies for long-term transfer.
Time schedule & Venue
|
Course Code |
Dates |
Time |
| PM-2526 - 01 |
20/02: Leslokaal 0.1; 05/03: Leslokaal 0.5; 23/03: leslokaal 1.1 03/04: Leslokaal 0.2 (Campus Ledeganck) |
09:00 - 13:00 |
| PM-2526 -02 |
17/04: Leslokaal 0.2 30/04:Leslokaal 1.1 15/05:Leslokaal 1.1 29/05: Leslokaal 1.1; (Campus Ledeganck) |
09:00 - 13:00 |
Registration
Follow this link for the registration and waiting list.
Your registration will be confirmed by separate e-mail. Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.
Registration fee
Free of charge for Doctoral School members. The no show policy applies.
Number of participants
14
Language
English
Evaluation methods and criteria (doctoral training programme)
Throughout the programme, evaluation focuses on how participants take ownership of their learning process and how effectively they transfer the insights and tools to the reality of their own PhD project. Rather than assessing technical mastery alone, the emphasis is placed on continuous engagement, reflection, and practical application.
Participants are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate:
1. Active Ownership of the Learning Process
- Willingness to engage with the course material, exercises, and peer learning moments.
- Openness to reflect on personal challenges and to identify meaningful learning goals.
- Ability to articulate what they are learning and how it relates to their own doctoral context.
2. Transfer to Their Own Project Reality
- Evidence that concepts, tools, and frameworks are being translated into concrete steps within their own PhD.
- Effort to experiment with new approaches and adjust behaviours or practices based on insights gained during the sessions
- Bringing in real cases, experiences, and questions to enrich application and discussion.
3. Continuous Reflection and Adaptation
- Use of the learning journal and other reflection tools to monitor progress and refine actions.
- Ability to observe what works, what needs adjustment, and why.
- Demonstrating resilience and flexibility in implementing changes.
4. Constructive Participation in the Learning Community
- Contribution to intervision and peer feedback in a respectful, supportive, and thoughtful way.
- Engagement in shared learning moments both during and between sessions
- These criteria help ensure that learning remains practical, meaningful, and fully aligned with each participant’s individual doctoral journey.
After successful participation, the Doctoral School will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this takes up to one to two months after completion of the course.