“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Dr Seuss
The Fistral “Espresso” Range – access PM videos for FREE
During Covid-19 everyone is pulling together to help where they can, and the Fistral team is doing our bit too. To support customers, course participants and anyone with an interest in Project Management (PM), we have developed the following bite-sized videos that we’re making free to access during the pandemic.
We call this our Fistral “Espresso” range as it’s an intense ‘shot’ of learning.
The videos below focus on Project Management and are aimed at PhD/PGR and Early Career Researchers. Each video is circa 5 minutes long, and although presented in the context of research, the tools, tips and techniques are equally useful in any project and across any industry or sector. Fistral also offer a range of webinars across our Product Suite – on PM, Leading & Influencing, Communication & Collaboration, and Personal Effectiveness which, linked to the above, we’re calling our “Americano” range. Customers can book and schedule webinars as per an onsite training session. See our Webinar Page or Contact Us for more info.
Please share these videos as widely as you can – with your network, friends, colleagues, classmates, students, relatives – in case it’s of help or interest to anyone during this time.
Fistral Espressos
In response to customer requests, we have initially focused on developing videos on Project Management topics specifically aimed at PhD, PGR and Early Career Researchers. The PM tools and techniques below will help with managing any project, but are presented in the context of research. The videos are sequenced, and we recommend you watch them in order. However if you’ve attended a Fistral PM session before, have PM experience, just need a refresher, or want a just-in-time ‘shot’ of knowledge – feel free to jump to the relevant topic.
Our focus when developing Fistral “Espressos” – as with all our training – is to ensure the content is useful, practical, has a common-sense approach, and is accessible and easy-to-understand. Based on trainers’ experiences working in industry and academia for over 20 years, and their expertise delivering highly successful consultancy and training across sectors globally, Espressos provide tried-and-tested knowledge underpinned by sound theoretical principles.
More Fistral ‘Espressos’ are planned for development, but feel free to Contact Us if you have suggestions for specific topics. To keep up to date, follow @FraserFistral, Newsletter Signup or check back here to see what’s new.
01. Introduction to Project Management – What is a Project?
What is a project? What do we mean by project management? And why is it applicable to me? This session defines what we mean by project management, contextualising it within a research environment. It also provides an overview of how to use these videos, who we are, and the Fistral approach to project management. Length 03:49
02. Project Initiation
So you’ve got a project, are preparing a bid, have received funding or been given a piece of work to complete… How should you start planning and organising? This session discusses what you should be considering, where you begin, and what key questions you should be asking right from the start. Length 04:43
03. The Project Triangle
The secret to managing any project effectively is understanding your constraints and how any change will have an impact upon other aspects of your work. This session introduces a simple but effective way to consider this. Length 04:00
04. Prioritisation
Often we have too much to do and too little time! This session introduces a method of identifying the most important elements of your project and allowing focus on them, leaving the items of less importance to later. Length 04:55
05. Stakeholder Identification
Projects do not happen in isolation – they are affected by the world around them. This session helps to begin identifying some of these key influencing factors in the form of stakeholders and how understanding these people can be extremely useful when considering our project. Length 04:12
06. The Scope Document
Managing expectations and boundaries is crucial in any work environment. This session examines simple way to begin to do this in projects of any size. Length 04:03
07. The Planning Process
This session gives a brief overview of the planning process and contextualises the tools to be discussed in sessions 08-12. We recommend viewing this session before proceeding to 08-12. Length 03:52
08. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
It might sound obvious, but a key element in planning any bit of work is actually understanding what is involved in it. In this session you’ll be introduced to a fundamental project management tool that kicks off the whole planning process and is one of the most transferable techniques around. Length 04:04
09. Task Duration
This session examines the differences between active and passive tasks, and why it is important to identify and include both when planning your work. Length 04:59
10. Activity Sequencing
Working efficiently involves identifying the best order in which to perform the different tasks and figuring out where multi-tasking will work or where tasks just have to be done one after the other. This session establishes a method of easily identifying the optimal dependencies of task, establishing which are the key time-dependent activities and which have greater flexibility. Length 05:27
11. Activity Scheduling
The famous Gantt Chart! This session demystifies the most popular of project management artefacts, the Gantt Chart. It demonstrates how it can be a powerful tool if developed correctly but is only as good as the information entered in to it so should be used with great care. You will be shown how to create a Gantt Chart properly! Length 04:46
12. Resource Allocation
All projects require several resources – even those where it only seems to be us alone doing the work! This session considers resource planning to allow others to make time for you. It also examines that if we’re in a resource constrained project (e.g. it genuinely is only us!) how to optimise our schedule. Length 07:08
See our Product Suite or Online Training page for topics and to see more Fistral ranges – e.g. video (“Espresso”) and face-to-face (“Grande”) training. Or Contact Us for more information.
For Customer Comments see Testimonials
“So useful” 4.75 – Introduction to Project Planning
First and Second-year Postgraduate students at the University of Strathclyde Doctoral College logged in to Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning...
CAPM Prep – 4.81 out of 5
Post Graduate Researchers from the University of Manchester Materials for Demanding Environments CDT (M4DE) attended our CAPM prep day. This...
4.78 given by researchers and staff – CAPM Prep Day
A mixture of research staff and students at the University of Bath logged on to our CAPM Preparation Day training....
4.60 rating for Advanced Project Management
Working towards their CAPM qualification, we hosted PostGraduate researchers from the University of Manchester M4DE CDT on our Advanced Project...
Creating the Plan: 4.63
We enjoyed hosting a group of PostGraduate Researchers from Ulster University Doctoral College for the third session of our Project Planning training...
100% would recommend Advanced Project Management to a colleague
A group of postgraduate researchers from the University of Manchester CDT in Integrated Catalysis, logged on to Fistral’s ‘Advanced Project...
4.68, “Very Useful” – Scoping the Project
Fistral welcomed a cohort of PGR’s from the University of Ulster back to the second of our four-part Project Planning...
“Brilliant Session” – 4.67 University of Strathclyde
Postgraduate Researchers from the University of Strathclyde Researcher Development Programme attended Fistral’s Risk Management training series. Strathclyde’s Researcher Development Programme...
“Useful and Interesting” – Advanced PM rated 4.70
A mixed group of research staff and PhD students from the University of Bath attended Fistral’s Advanced Project Management webinar....
“Very useful” – UU Doctoral College
PGR’s at Ulster University Doctoral College, with campuses in Magee, Coleraine and Jordanstown, logged on to part one of our...
4.50 Risk Management – M4DE CDT
PhD students at the University of Manchester M4DE Centre for Doctoral training logged on to parts one and two of...
Introduction to Project Planning – 4.67
Post Graduate Researchers at the University of Strathclyde took part in all three sessions of Fistral’s ‘Introduction to Project Planning’...
Risk Management – part of our CAPM programme for iCAT CDT
Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Manchester CDT in Integrated Catalysis logged in to Fistral’s Risk Management training. iCAT students...
“Great training course” – Leadership and Team Building Techniques
A group of Postgraduate Researchers attended our Leadership and Team Building Techniques webinar. The group are from the EPSRC Centre...
“Very useful” – Materials for Demanding Environments CDT
A cohort of Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Manchester Materials for Demanding Environments (M4DE) CDT undertook our three-part Project...
100% would recommend webinar series
Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Manchester CDT in Integrated Catalysis completed all three parts of Fistral’s Project Management training....
“Could relate a lot to it from industry experience” – Manchester University CDT
Attendees from the University of Manchester Advanced BioMedical Materials CDT attended Fistral’s 'Introduction to Project Planning' and 'Risk Management' Webinars....
LSE Space staff – 100% would recommend the training and can apply the learning to their work
Staff at LSE Space GmbH logged on to Fistral’s Advanced Team Leadership online training course. As an independent space consultancy,...
Creating the Plan – “Best training I’ve ever had” – 4.71 overall
Postgraduate Researchers from the University of Strathclyde logged on to the third part of our Introduction to Project Planning training,...
“A great session” – Scoping The Project 4.50
Postgraduate researchers at the University of Strathclyde returned for part two of Fistral’s Project Management training course. This course prepares...
4.64 for Risk Management webinar
Research staff and students from the University of Bath undertook our 'Risk Management' online training, working towards sitting the CAPM...
CAPM webinar 4.58 from PGRs
Preparing for the globally recognised CAPM exam, Post Graduate Researchers at the University of Strathclyde attended Part One of our...
Time Management Techniques for the Space sector
Staff at LSE Space logged in to Fistral’s Time Management webinar. In this online course, participants learn their own personal...
4.68 for CAPM Prep day
Post-graduate researchers at the University of Strathclyde undertook Fistral’s CAPM preparation day online training. This course provides revision of the...
Procrastination Busting Techniques given “10 out of 10”
We hosted a group of Postgraduate researchers from the University of Bristol ACCIS/COSEM on a webinar entitled ‘Get Unstuck: Procrastination Busting Techniques’....
Understanding and Working with your Time Management Style – 4.63
We hosted Post-Doctoral Researchers from Teagasc on our ‘Understanding and Working with Your Time Management Style’ webinar. This course helps...
“Brilliant session” – Risk Management 4.67
A group of Post-Doctoral Researchers from Teagasc, recently completed their fifth part of Fistral’s online Project Management webinar series, ‘Risk Management’. Teagasc...
Professional Communication Skills Webinar – rated 4.82 by PhDs
Fistral’s ‘Professional Communication Skills’ online training was attended by PhD students at the University of Strathclyde, who rated the course...
4.96 overall, instructor 5 out of 5 – Advanced PM
PhD students from the University of Strathclyde logged on to Fistral’s ‘Advanced Project Management’ webinar, part of the CAPM training...
“My view on GANTT has been forever shifted” – PM Planning attendee
We hosted a group from University of Bath Doctoral College and Researcher Development on our ‘Introduction to Project Planning’ webinar....
‘Creating the Plan’ – 100% will put their PM learning into practice
Post-Doctoral Researchers from Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority based in Ireland, completed Fistral’s ‘Introduction to Project Planning’ webinar...
Leadership and Team Building Techniques webinar – “It was really amazing”
Fistral’s ‘Leadership and Team Building Techniques’ webinar was recently delivered to a group of PGRs at the University of Strathclyde,...
Centres for Doctoral Training – 100% would recommend ‘Planning for Uncertainty”
PhD students from two Centre’s for Doctoral Training (CDT) at the University of Bristol, attended all four sessions to complete...
“Very insightful” – Introduction to Project Planning
PhD students at the University of Liverpool Doctoral College completed the third and final part of Fistral’s ‘Introduction to Project...
4.70 – Risk Management Webinar
PhD students from the University of Strathclyde Researcher Development Programme undertook Fistral’s ‘Risk Management’ online training recently. This webinar is...
“Excellent series of sessions” – CAPM Prep Day 4.88
Researchers and PGRs from the University of Bath Doctoral college rounded off their CAPM training online recently, which they’d started...
“That was brilliant” – Scoping the Project webinar for Post Docs
Post-Doctoral Researchers from Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, recently undertook part two of our online training series ‘Introduction...
“Tips for use in real life situations” – OPD webinar
Our OPD sessions with staff at the University of Dundee continued with the second part of the ‘Influencing without Authority’...
“Most useful workshop I’ve been to” – Project Planning 5 out of 5
Researchers at the University of Dundee attended part three of our ‘Introduction to Project Planning’ series. Called ‘Creating the Plan’,...
“Very useful” – Introduction to Project Planning course for staff
Staff from the University of Bath Student Union attended our trio of webinars ‘Introduction to Project Planning: Parts 1, 2...
“Very worthwhile” – Influencing Without Authority
As part of a series of OPD sessions from Fistral, staff at the University of Dundee logged on to our...
5 out of 5 for Establishing New Research Teams
Staff from the University of Dundee attended our webinar ‘Good Foundations: Principles for Establishing Effective New Research Teams’. This course...
Risk Management webinar – 4.74
Uncertainty is inherent in any project, which makes it difficult to plan. This uncertainly is called risk. PhD students from...
4.79 out of 5 – “A great session”
Participants from the University of Liverpool Doctoral College, scored our “Introduction to Project Planning’ (part 2) webinar, 4.79 out of...
“Useful concepts that I will put into practice” – Collaborating Effectively
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to our ‘Collaborating Effectively’ training, part of the University’s OPD programme. This...
‘Stress Hardiness’ webinar – 100% would recommend to a colleague
PhD students and Post Doctoral Research Assistants at The University of Bristol ACCIS and CoSem Centres for Doctoral Training attended...
Doctoral College – CAPM rates ‘Excellent’ for trainer, 4.91 overall
A group from the University of Bath Doctoral College and Research and Innovation Services who we met previously in person...
Introduction to Project Planning rated 4.69
Our ‘Introduction to Project Planning’ webinar was rated 4.69 out of 5 (5 being Excellent), by a group from the...
“Honestly the best webinar I had this year” – Introduction to Project Planning
We had a great group from the University of Bath Doctoral College join us for an ‘Introduction to Project Planning’...
“Very engaging presenter” – Performance Management Webinar for staff
We delivered our webinar ‘Actively Managing Your Teams’ Performance to Avoid Performance Management Issues’ to staff at the University of...