Project Management

IPoS applies a concept of integrated project and process management on the basis of the IPMA and PM² Methodology: Both process and project management are engaged in the preparation and implementation of research and action projects.

The project and process management division at IPoS administers knowledge and operates science management, equally reflected and incorporated in preparation and implementation of projects.

At institutional level, the division handles a diversified portfolio comprised of public and private, domestic and international grantors. Projects are implemented with a multitude of partners from different countries.

 As an interface between institutional administration and project management, the IPoS project and process division is in charge of identifying, planning, organising, and controlling the implementation of projects at two levels: Ensuring compliance with formal requirements as well as content-based diligence and quality management.

IPoS has established a comprehensive project and process management system that serves as an interface between institutional administration and project-related aspects. IPoS’ project and process division aims at guaranteeing the smooth operation of all activities and in particular of research and action projects to support implementation of actual core tasks and the parties to achieve the best possible results.

The project management at IPoS acts according to the basic principles of identifying – planning – organising – monitoring – controlling.

Project management at IPoS is based on internationally recognised project management principles, including the International Project Management Association (IPMA) standards.

IPoS Project and Process Management

IPoS Project and Process Management supports in addition to the daily work processes, identification of suitable project tenders, preparation of project proposals, implementation of projects and project completion as well as constant expansion and maintenance of the network and work according to the following priorities:

In order to guarantee success of research projects, a good and structured communication is necessary. A well-functioning, effective communication between all parties involved in a project is even more: the key to success.

In Project Management, it is utmost important to analyse communication channels and communication flow inside and outside the project and, as if necessary, to optimise it. 

Good communication includes positive, easy-to-understand language, personal and social skills, feedback techniques, well-prepared and transparent working documents, clearly defined project goals and milestones. All of these are tasks of IPoS project and process management.

IPoS acts according to the principle of early identification of risks and develops suitable measures to minimize risks. IPoS’s risk-centred culture offers everyone involved the opportunity to address risks and concerns at any time. In addition, IPoS pursues a strategy of pronounced opportunity management, which includes a constant evaluation of measures and their ongoing further development, including the targeted pursuit of new approaches, options and “thinking out of the box”. The combination of risk management and opportunity management forms the core of this approach. There is often an opportunity in every risk identified at an early stage. IPoS implements this approach in a targeted manner.

Continuous institutional development and optimization is a central goal of IPoS. To achieve this, IPoS recognizes the importance of distinctive quality management with the support of project and process management. This involves optimizing communication structures and professional solution strategies, maintaining or increasing the satisfaction of partners, employees and customers and standardizing certain actions and workflows, documentation and the organization’s internal processes in order to achieve the best possible results.

Closely linked to the goal of supporting optimal communication during project implementation is the focus on interface management. The approach here is to avoid critical situations caused by interfaces and to ensure that processes run as smoothly as possible.

This is achieved by IPoS project and process management through, among other things coordination, integration and reduction of interfaces in order to achieve the common goals in the best possible way.

The project and process management team at IPoS sees knowledge management as an important part of its work, particularly when it comes to combining science and teaching. The knowledge acquired at IPoS is organizationally anchored in knowledge management processes as part of project and process management.