Project Management Foundations

PhD Plus is excited to co-host the Fall 2026 Project Management Foundations series with our partners in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Designed specifically for graduate students and postdocs, this series introduces core project management strategies to enhance the participants' work both within and beyond academia. Designed for real-time application, participants will guide a concrete deliverable (e.g., a collaborative grant proposal, travel to conduct archival research, intensive fieldwork logistics, piloting a new research method) through the project management life cycle, concept by concept.
 
Participants will gain hands-on experience managing project scope, cost (budgeting), and schedule, while comparing traditional, agile, and hybrid frameworks. Beyond technical workflows, the course emphasizes leadership within interdisciplinary teams, stakeholder engagement, communications, and risk management. Throughout the series, participants will evaluate how these approaches translate to non-academic industries and complete a culminating project that showcases their preferred project management style, digital tools, and strategic workflow for future initiatives.

By the end of this series, you can expect to be able to…   

  • Evaluate and select appropriate project management frameworks for academic and professional initiatives.
  • Manage core project constraints – including scope, schedule, and cost – using real-time workflows like grant proposals.
  • Lead interdisciplinary teams through effective communications, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
  • Apply project life cycle best practices to navigate changing conditions in both higher education and non-academic industries.
  • Develop a personalized project management toolkit and strategy tailored for future research or industry careers.

 

Fall 2026 Session Topics and Dates

All sessions meet virtually on Wednesdays this fall from 12:00 - 2:00 pm; the Zoom link will be provided on the course Canvas site. This is an engaging series and requires commitment to full participation. Participants are expected to complete a small number of readings and assignments in between sessions and engage in weekly sessions through instructor-student and peer-to-peer interactions. 

All sessions meet virtually on Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided on the course Canvas site, which you will be added to after registering for the series. 
 

  • Introduction to Project Management & Foundational Concepts (Oct. 21, 12:00 - 2:00 pm) This session will introduce the core value of project management and clarify key differences between products, projects, and ongoing operations. Participants will explore foundational methodologies, comparing predictive, agile, and hybrid options to determine the best approach for different project environments.

 

  • Initiation, Stakeholders & Communications Management (Oct. 28, 12:00 - 2:00 pm) This session will cover the fundamentals of project initiation, including the purpose of a project charter and how to create one. Learners will discover how to assess their project environment to build context-sensitive management plans while mastering strategies to identify, monitor, and address stakeholder needs using a stakeholder register.

 

  • Project Scope (Nov. 4, 12:00 - 2:00 pm) This session will explore project planning options and effective strategies for establishing an overall project approach. Participants will learn best practices for collecting requirements, setting priorities, and defining scope, utilizing a Work Breakdown Structure to decompose project goals into manageable work packages.

 

  • Project Schedule and Project Cost (Nov. 11, 12:00 - 2:00 pm) This session will unpack the essential concepts behind building and managing a project schedule. Participants will gain practical insight into schedule development, learning how to build traditional project schedules using tools like Gantt charts, Excel, or MS Planner.

 

  • Project Execution (Risk, Actions, Issues, Decisions, & Status) (Nov. 18, 12:00 - 2:00 pm) This session will guide participants through the core dynamics of project execution, focusing on cost estimation, basic procurement, and structured change management. Attendees will implement best practices for tracking risks, issues, and action items while developing effective communication strategies to report project status.

 

Digital Badge

Upon successful completion, UVA postdocs graduate students will receive a digital badge, issued by UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies through Credly, that demonstrates proof of completion of the program. To earn the badge, you must attend 4 of the 5 sessions and complete the final project management assignment (a short presentation of your preferred project management style and what tools you would implement in a future project).

 

 

2026 Project Management Foundations Flyer