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

“Skills I will apply to PhD” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning Part 4
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to the fourth and final part of our Introduction to Project Planning training...

“Wish I had known this before” – Bristol staff on Project Management Techniques for Planning Your Research
Staff at Bristol University logged on to parts 1&2 of Fistral’s Project Management Techniques for Planning Your Research training course....

5 out of 5 score – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning Part 3
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 3 of our Introduction to Project Planning training course. The attendees...

“The reality check I needed” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning webinar
Joining us online, a group of PhD students at Ulster University undertook part 2 of our Introduction to Project Planning...

“Very practical and can tailor to your needs.” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning webinar
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 1 of our Introduction to Project Planning training course. The attendees...

University of Strathclyde group score supervisory relationship webinar 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde logged on to our training course entitled Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship. The...

“Great practical tips” – University of Bristol CDT, Time Management webinar
We were joined online by PhDs from two University of Bristol CDTs; CoSEM and Digital Health. The training session we...

“Excellent practical training” – University of Strathclyde PhD
At the University of Strathclyde in our home town of Glasgow, we ran our course entitled Project Management in the...

“Very useful on theoretical and practical grounds.” – University of Strathclyde Researcher
Researchers from the Advanced Forming Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde joined Fistral for our onsite course entitled Project...

“Motivating with actionable changes in behaviour” – University of Bristol CDT webinar feedback
We were joined online by PhD students from three University of Bristol CDTs; ACCIS, CoSEM and Digital Health. The training...

“Already suggested it to colleagues” – University of Strathclyde PhD
We joined University of Strathclyde PhD students onsite for our Advanced Project Management training session. The group gave it an...

“Another great Fistral Session” – University of Strathclyde PhD, Professional Communication session
University of Strathclyde PhD students logged on to join Fistral’s Techniques for Confident Professional Communication webinar training session. The group...

“Useful and helpful” – University of Bath, Introduction to Project Mgt session
A mix of research staff and PhDs at the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s Introduction to Project Management...

“Great for PhD planning” – University of Strathclyde feedback
A group from the University of Strathclyde joined us remotely for Fistral’s Risk Management in the Real World training. The...

“Practical, easy to apply tips” – King’s College London PhD student
PhD students from King's College London joined us remotely for our training session entitled Get Unstuck: Procrastination Busting. The group...

“Useful, relevant and easy to understand” – Loughborough University feedback
Staff at Loughborough University joined us onsite for our training session entitled Project Management in the Real World. The group...

“Effective and practical” – University of Leeds staff, influencing without authority session
Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Leeds logged on to Fistral’s training session entitled Influencing Without Authority. The group gave...

“Very valuable in our work” – University of Winchester staff
Research staff from the University of Winchester joined us online for our training session entitled Managing Conflict in Research Teams....

“Will improve quality of my work” – University of Strathclyde
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde joined us remotely for Fistral’s Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting training....

“Already applying the tools” – Heriot-Watt feedback
PhD students at Heriot-Watt University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World course. The group gave...

“Very useful and applicable” – King’s College London feedback
PhD students at King's College London logged on to Fistral’s Take Charge of Your Time and Your Research: Time Management...

“Learned how to better manage my time during PhD” – University of Strathclyde feedback
We welcomed PhD sudents at the University of Strathclyde onsite for our training course Keeping on Top of Your PhD:...

“Widely applicable” – University of Winchester feedback
A cohort of PhD students at the University of Winchester joined us online for our training course Making Your Case:...

“Something for everyone” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University joined us online the fourth and final part of Fistral’s Introduction to...

“Provides skills to thrive in team projects” – Space Sector Staff on teamworking training
Staff at LSE Space GmbH, joined Fistral onsite for our training course entitled The Effective Teamworker. Those attending the session...

“Provided tools I can implement now” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University joined us online for the third part of Fistral’s Introduction to Project...

“Practical insights and real-world examples” – Space Sector Staff feedback
Onsite at LSE Space GmbH, Fistral delivered our Leadership Skills and Techniques for New Leaders training. The staff undertaking the...

“Important in Project Planning” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 2 of Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning training...

“Very useful and reassuring for first year PhD student” – Ulster University feedback
A group of PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 1 of our Introduction to Project Planning training...

“Relevant to my current role and career aspirations” – Dundee University staff feedback for Introduction to Project Planning
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to our Introduction to Project Planning webinar session. Feedback comments included: “[The...

“A very useful way to start my PhD” – University of Strathclyde PGR feedback
We welcomed PGR’s at the University of Strathclyde online to our Introduction to Project Management webinar training course and they...

“A useful reminder of good habits” – University of Winchester PGR
A group of PGRs at the University of Winchester logged on to our Take Charge of Your Time and Prioritise...

“Super helpful for research life” – Technische Universität Berlin feedback
We welcomed a group of PGR's onsite at the Technische Universität Berlin to Fistral's Build Your Resilience & Take your...

“Crucial perspective for managing relationships in academia” – Politecnico di Milano feedback
PhD students at Politecnico di Milano logged on to our training course entitled Being Assertive In An Academic Environment. The...

“Practical tools to better manage PhD” – University of Strathclyde feedback
We joined PhD students in Glasgow at the University of Strathclyde for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training...

“Evidence-based and practical examples” – University of South Australia score PM Essentials for Researchers webinar 5 out of 5
Researchers at University of South Australia logged on to parts 1 to 4 of our Project Management Essentials for Researchers...

“Engaging and practical” – 4.93 from Loughborough University Staff
Staff from Loughborough University welcomed us onsite for our Project Management in the Real World training session. The group gave...

“Useful to learn how to organise a project to completion” – CAPM programme rates 4.86 at University of Bath
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session....

“Giving and receiving difficult feedback” training – rated Very Good by LSE Space Staff
LSE Space staff joined Fistral onsite for our training, Giving and Receiving Difficult Feedback: A Practice-Based Workshop. LSE is an...

“Very engaging & interactive“ – stress management at University of Warwick
The second of two groups of researchers from Warwick Medical School joined us onsite at the University of Warwick for...

“Another great course!” – University of Warwick staff feedback
The first of two groups of research staff joined us onsite at The University of Warwick for Fistral’s Handling Academic...

“It will absolutely help me in my work going forward” – University College Cork staff rate PM 4.82
The first of two groups of staff at University College Cork joined us onsite recently for Fistral’s Successfully Planning &...

“Engaging, useful, and practical” – University College Cork staff
The second of two groups of staff at University College Cork joined us onsite for Fistral’s Successfully Planning & Managing...

“Useful and transferable skills” – University of Strathclyde feedback
PhD students University of Strathclyde joined us onsite in Glasgow for Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session. The group gave it...

“Good mix of theory and application” – Leadership for University of Strathclyde PhDs
PhD students University of Strathclyde logged on to Fistral’s Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques webinar training session. The group gave it...

“Recommended for all new Managers” – PM Principles for the Space sector
Space staff welcomed Fistral onsite at ESTEC for our training course, Project Management Principles – Level 1. The group gave...

5 out of 5 score for PM training – University of Strathclyde
Fistral welcomed PhD students at the University of Strathclyde onsite in Glasgow for our Advanced Project Management course. The group...

“Useful for Planning PhD” – University of Strathclyde PhD Student
Onsite in Glasgow at the University of Strathclyde, Fistral welcomed a cohort of PhD students on our Project Risk Management...

“Very practical and applicable” – Advanced PM rates 4.93 from University of Bath
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s Advanced Project Management webinar...

“Effective and realistic” – University of Winchester staff
Staff from the University of Winchester logged on to Fistral’s Influencing Skills for Leaders of Research Teams webinar course and...