“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
“Huge scope for application” – CAPM Preparation
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath joined us online for Fistral’s CAPM Preparation webinar...
“Practical skills that can be applied or transferred” – Project Management in the Real World
A second group of staff from Loughborough University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training....
“Really informative and worthwhile” – PMRW 4.91 score from staff
Staff at Loughborough University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training. The group rated the...
“Engaging and useful” – 4.77 for Intro PM
A second group of PGR’s at the University of Manchester, Graphene NOWNANO CDT joined Fistral onsite for our Introduction to...
“Very engaging speaker” – University of Manchester CDT
PGR’s from the University of Manchester, Graphene NOWNANO CDT joined Fistral onsite for a session entitled Introduction to Project Management....
CDT rates CAPM training 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Manchester iCAT Centre for Doctoral Training logged on to Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session....
CAPM Prep course rated 5 out of 5 – “You learn a lot”
Fistral delivered our CAPM Preparation training course onsite to PGRs at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. This session prepares...
100% recommend Advanced PM
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath joined us online for Fistral’s Advanced Project Management...
Assertive Communication -100% would recommend
Researchers at Ulster University logged on to our webinar session entitled Assertive Communication for the PhD Researcher. The group gave...
4.90 for Project Risk Management – “Applicable to many situations”
Postgraduate researchers at the University of Strathclyde Doctoral School joined us onsite in Glasgow for a session entitled Project Risk...
5 out of 5 for Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship – “Great session for anyone starting a PhD”
PhD students from the University of Liverpool who logged on to Fistral’s Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship webinar session, gave...
“One of only a few genuinely useful PM courses” – PM tools for Researchers 4.78
Staff at the University of Bristol joined us for a training session called Project Management Tools for Managing Your Research...
4.70 for Leadership & Teambuilding Techniques “Useful content for teams of any size”
PGRs at The University of Strathclyde joined Fistral onsite for a training course entitled Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques. The group...
“A good introduction to Project Management” – PM techniques for research
We were joined online by Post Graduate Researchers at the University of Bristol for parts 1 & 2 of Fistral's...
“Worth every minute” – Intro to Project Planning rates 4.83
Staff from the University of Manchester joined us online for a training session entitled Introduction to Project Planning. The group...
Good for future career prospects – Project Management in the Real World rated 4.82
Joining us onsite at the University of Strathclyde, a cohort of PhD students undertook Fistral’s Project Management in the Real...
“Some very useful techniques” – Procrastination Busting 4.67
Postgraduate Researchers at Ulster University logged on to Fistral’s webinar session Get Unstuck: Procrastination Busting. The attendees rated the course...
100% would recommend – Risk Management Webinar
A mixed group of research staff and PhDs at the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s Risk Management webinar...
“Practical and applicable” – PM Essentials (Part 4)
A group from The University of Exeter Doctoral College logged on to Part 4 of a webinar series entitled Project...
“Helpful introduction to project management” – Intro to PM rated 4.50
A mix of PhDs and research staff from The University of Bath logged on to our Introduction to Project Management...
Advanced Project Management – rated 5 out of 5
Joining us onsite recently at Strathclyde Doctoral School, a cohort of PGR’s undertook Fistral’s Advanced Project Management training. The group...
“Great tools for work and research” – Time Management rates 4.92
PhD students from Ulster University Doctoral College logged on to Fistral’s webinar session Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting....
“Lots of helpful tips for Research Projects” – Intro to Project Planning
Staff at The University of Manchester joined us online for Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning webinar training. The group gave...
Perfect 5/5 from Liverpool Doctoral College – Time Management training
Fistral welcomed students from the University of Liverpool Doctoral College online for a training session Taking Charge of Your Time:...
ECRs say PM for Researcher training is “Very helpful for developing realistic plans”
Researchers from The University of Exeter Doctoral College joined us for Part 3 of a webinar series Project Management Essentials...
“Useful, relatable and applicable” – Project Management in the Real World rates 4.93
Fistral was welcomed onsite at Loughborough University for a training session Project Management in the Real World (PMRW). The group...
4.83 for PM Essentials for Researchers – staff say “I wish I had taken the course 5 years ago!”
Researcher staff from The University of Exeter once more joined us for Part 2 of a webinar series entitled Project...
“Applicable to my current work” – PM Essentials for Researchers (Part 1)
Researcher staff from The University of Exeter Doctoral College joined us online for Part 1 of a webinar series entitled...
Intro to Project Planning (Part 3): Rated 4.8 “Real-life examples make it memorable”
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to Part 3 of Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning course, entitled Creating...
Resilience skills are “Important to successfully navigate the PhD journey” – 5 out of 5 rating
PhD students from Ulster University Doctoral College gave Fistral’s webinar session Build Your Resilience and Take your PhD in your...
“Tailor-made for PhD” – Time Management is “A truly enlightening experience”
Joining us online for a webinar session entitled Keeping on Top of Your PhD: Personal Time Management Strategies were a...
Risk training is “Necessary in our PhD” – Doctoral College student
The third of four training courses in our CAPM professional certification series, Project Risk Management, was delivered onsite to a...
5 out of 5 for CAPM Preparation
Onsite once more at The University of Strathclyde, we delivered Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training course to a group of PhD...
“Useful real-world application” – 4.92 for Risk Management
We welcomed a cohort of PhD students and research staff at all levels from The University of Bath online for...
4.88 for PMRW – “Very useful, especially in the context of research”
Onsite at The University of Strathclyde Teaching and Learning Building, we delivered Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training...
4.77, “Insightful and relevant to PhD” – Supervisory Relationship training
PhD students at the Doctoral College in the University of Strathclyde joined us online for a webinar entitled Creating a...
“Informative and well-organised” – Intro to PM for research staff and students
A group of research staff and PhDs from The University of Bath joined us online for a training session Introduction...
“Really impactful” – Professional Communication Skills for PhDs
We welcomed a cohort of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year PhD students from the University of Strathclyde Doctoral College to...
“Best course ever” – 5 out of 5 for Leadership and Teambuilding training
Onsite at The University of Strathclyde, we delivered a training course called Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques. The attendees gave a...
“Really worthwhile – lots of practical tools” – PM Tools for Managing Your Research Project post-award
Joining us onsite for a new training session entitled Project Management Tools for Managing Your Research Project was a group...
“Engaging and useful” – Intro to Project Planning for Doctoral College students
Postgraduate Researchers from The University of Manchester joined us online for Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning webinar session. The Doctoral...
“Extremely useful for career” – Advanced PM training
Onsite for this session, we welcomed a group of PhD students from the University of Strathclyde, to a training course...
“Perfect for both students and professionals” – Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting’ rates 5 out of 5
We welcomed a group of PhD students from the University of Strathclyde Doctoral College online to a webinar entitled Taking...
CAPM Exam Prep webinar – “The tools were really helpful”
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to a Fistral CAPM Prep webinar session. This training prepares attendees to...
“Transferrable skills for real-life” – Conflict in Teams webinar rated 4.5
Logging on to Fistral’s webinar session Managing Conflict in Teams were staff from The University of Dundee, who rated the...
“Transferrable tools and real-life scenarios” – Making Decisions in Stressful Circumstances
Staff at The University of Dundee logged on to a Fistral webinar session entitled Making Decisions in Stressful Circumstances. The...
“The tools were really helpful” – Introduction to Project Planning for Researchers (Part 4)
A group of staff from The University of Dundee logged on to Part 4 of Fistral's Introduction to Project Planning...
4.92 for Risk Management – PhDs say “in-depth real-life experiences that help convey the message”
Fistral hosted an onsite training course for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Strathclyde entitled Risk Management in the Real...
“Great tools to plan PhD” – Part 3 rates 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Ulster Doctoral College joined us once more for part three of our four-part Introduction...
Part 2 of Project Planning “Can be applied making the scope of the PhD more digestible”- Doctoral College
A group of PhD students at the University of Ulster joined us once more for part two of our four-part...