1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Social Work
  3. Continuing education
  4. Project Management
See table of contents See table of contents

Project Management

Do you want to get to grips with the 'soft and hard factors' in a project? Optimise your project management methods thanks to the project management course.

You will also learn how to deal professionally with the soft factors that make projects successful. You will develop your skills in project management and acquire insight into how to apply tailor-made methods and practices to deal with project ambiguities, to balance interests in the project environment and to empower your project team. You will:

  • obtain state-of-the-art knowledge in how to manage challenging projects
  • enhance and extend your leadership skills
  • be confident in dealing with knowledge, change and failure
  • learn about effective agile methods and practices
  • learn how to deal with project challenges with composure
  • be able to experience the use of "Project Lab", a special form of teaching technique designed to deliver skills in project management

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Specialist course
  • Duration 10 study days
  • Schedule Tuesday/Wednesday
  • Application deadline Deadline for registration is 6 weeks before the start of the course. If places are available, later registration is possible.
  • ECTS credits 6 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs CHF 4'250
  • Teaching language German
  • Location Bern, Schwarztorstrasse 48
  • School Business School
  • Next session Please visit the German website for more information

Contact

Downloads (in German)

To register, please visit the German website. 

Content + Structure

Profile

Observe, reflect, decide, intervene. This extra-occupational specialist course in project management will comprehensively improve your skills and challenge you. You will acquire command of the most important methods and practices to successfully manage a project from start to finish. You will also be able to lead your project team through stormy times and convincingly respond to critical questions from stakeholders. You will extend your skills in promoting social success factors. You will be able to ensure effective cooperation, constructive handling of knowledge and a balance of conflicting interests in your projects. Last but not least, you will be able to put in place a dynamic and motivating project culture.

Course objectives

In this specialist course in project management you will acquire the key skills needed to manage demanding projects in agile contexts. You will learn to understand and control interpersonal dynamics in the context of complex projects.

  • Subject-specific skills: you will gain insight into the theory of social systems and constructivist epistemology. You will understand the nature of non-linear developments and how to deal with the soft success factors in demanding projects. You will be able to employ this knowledge for the benefit of your projects.
  • Management skills: you will acquire agile, flexible and customer-orientated project management abilities. You will be able to counteract disruptive changes within a project environment by means of dynamic team leadership and ensure effective and efficient project processing.
  • Methodological skills: you will learn how to use effective systemic practices to promote cooperation, to resolve conflicts of interest and to give meaning to a project. You will be able to design communicative spaces to align the stakeholders involved with project goals.
  • Social skills: even in times when things are hectic, you will be able to communicate in an appreciative and respectful manner. You will be able to maintain a respectful relationship with your stakeholders - proactively and at eye level. You will be able to commit to effective and efficient project processing.
  • Personal skills: you will be able to enhance your resilience by reflecting on your leadership role. You will develop a relaxed attitude towards the challenges of project work.

 

This specialist course is part of the CAS Advanced Project Management. The CAS comprises the following three courses:

The saying "soft factors are hard factors" proves true time and again when it comes to today’s project management. What good is the best planning if the stakeholders concerned do not approve of the project or the client approaches you towards the end of the project with unexpected requirements?

This specialist course in project management will help you resolve such issues and develop your project management skills. We will provide you with a learning environment in which you will not only learn new content, but also actively contribute your professional skills and experience and develop them further with the other participants.

  • Analysis of the project environment, management of stakeholder risks and requirements engineering
  • Selection of the appropriate project approach model
  • Promot project team performance and design kick-off workshops
  • Agile and situational project management
  • Development and management of information systems
  • Dealing with changes in the project environment
  • Best practice on project closure
  • Lessons learned from the successes and failures of own projects and those of peers

Adults learn differently. That is why the continuing education at the BFH Business school is committed to modern adult education. Our mission with «brain, heart and hand» is an important principle in the design of our offers. Questions in the lessons are based on the participants' professional and practical life experiences. Contact study and self-study phases are combined in a meaningful way, analogue learning environments are combined with digital tools. Microsoft Teams is available as a supplementary tool: you have access to documents, messages and information as well as a chat function within the class.

Project Lab

In this extra-occupational course in project management we will focus on the use of the "Project Lab" and interactions within the group. Together you will invest a lot of time in the practical application of the concepts taught and continuously reflect on your practical leadership behaviour.

Practical cases and concrete issues from your everyday practice are dealt with in the Project Lab. Together with experienced and competent lecturers you will analyse problem situations, develop options for action and approaches to solutions and evaluate their effects.

You will be required to write a case report on mastering the selected challenges in connection with the soft success factors of a project you have worked on.

Lecturers

Our lecturers are proven experts with extensive practical and theoretical knowledge in their subject areas. They have at least a university degree plus many years of experience in higher education. 

Prof. Melanie Germann, M.A.
Lecturer at  University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, administrative sciences, communication and interaction, organisation and leadership, social work methods, integrative management, leadership skills, social psychologist with further training in positive psychology, coach, organisational consultant, mediator

Dr. Pavel Kraus
AHT intermediation GmbH, managing consultant, president Swiss Knowledge Management Forums (SKMF), knowledge management systems, workshop designs, centoring, coach agile thinking, support for executives

Marco Magnaguagno
Lecturer Bern University of Applied Sciences, organisational developer, lean & agile expert, project manager

Inés Roethlisberger 
MAS Systemic Organisational Consulting and Coach FHNW, author of the guide Change- and Project Management, various management functions in federal, cantonal and municipal government as well as various mandates in commissions, associations, specialist knowledge in HR, work integration, politics, head of HR competence centre in the Economic, Energy and Environmental Directorate of the Canton of Berne 

Requirements + Admission

The specialist course in Project Management is designed for project managers and contractors who want to improve their skills in dealing with the soft success factors in their projects.

Typical participants:

  • Members of an agile organisational unit
  • Executive managers
  • Project team members
  • Members of project management offices

You do not need to meet any specific admission requirements to participate in this specialist course. If you wish to obtain ECTS credits, the general conditions for continuing education will apply: you will require a university degree or equivalent qualification and at least two years' professional experience. If you have any questions, please contact the study administration or the course coordinator. 

General admission requirements (in German)

Knowledge and skills

Do you have experience as a project manager, contractor or member of a Project Management Office (PMO)? Your professional situation provides a good breeding ground for your personal development and for implementing new ideas. You should be willing to introduce challenges from your practice into the classroom.

Specialist course in "Project Management"

All participants will receive a confirmation of participation. Participants who meet the requirements for admission to higher education and who successfully complete the proof of competence will be awarded 6 ECTS credits. These will be shown on the course confirmation certificate.

This specialist course can be counted towards:

Organisation + Registration

The course will extend over 10 study days. These will be held every two weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The specialist course runs with a minimum of eight participants and a maximum of 24.

To register, please visit the German website. 

Documents required for registration

You can register online via registration form. For registration we require following documents (in PDF format, max. 1 MB per document): 

  • Diplomas 

  • Curriculum Vitae 

  • Passport-sized photo (in JPG format) 

Please upload these documents even if you have already submitted them for another application. 

Information on the specialist course

Deadline for registration is 6 weeks before the start of the course. Later registration will be possible if places are still available.

CHF 4’250.–

The costs of mandatory literature, course materials and the proof of competence are covered by the quoted fee.

The continuing education regulations of the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the implementation regulations for the continuing education regulations apply. The right to make changes is reserved. In case of doubt, the wording of the legal provisions and regulations shall prevail.

Continuing Education Regulations of Bern University of Applied Sciences (WBR) (PDF, 81 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations WBR in the Business School (PDF, 81 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations (PDF, 77 KB)
Framework Study Regulations at Bern University of Applied Sciences (PDF, 127 KB)
Regulations on Scientific Integrity at Bern University of Applied Sciences (WissIR) (PDF, 140 KB)
Legal foundations

Advice + Information Events

Study Counselling

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Course coordinator CAS

Study administration

Location + Facilities

Bern Schwarztorstrasse 48