Why project management training improves your planning and execution skills
Trine Allerslev attended Atrium’s Clinical Project Management programme earlier this year. During the two modules she acquired new tools that she has already implemented in her daily work as a team leader. Learn why Trine Allerslev believes that the project manager competences are equally relevant in large projects as in daily meetings and mundane tasks where you want to sharpen your planning and execution.
Trine Allerslev is a Senior Team Leader within Global Safety Operations at LEO Pharma. Earlier this year she attended the Clinical Project Management programme to get a more profound understanding the complexity of clinical projects and her own role in the projects.
Why project management?
Not working as a clinical project manager, one could think, that Trine is a bit of an outsider on the Clinical Project Management programme. So, what was the reasoning behind going anyway?
“I work closely with many of the trial teams and the more profoundly I understand my own role, the better I can deliver what is required from me and my team. Understanding the complex matrix, I’m part of definitely adds value and broadens my perspective and overall understanding of the various processes. On top of that, you don’t necessarily have to be a project manager to benefit from project management tools since most of it can be applied in your daily tasks, which I’ve already witnessed by now,” Trine explains.
New tool box
Not having attended any formal project management training before, all of the tools introduced at the programme were new to Trine. Particularly the tools for planning and following up proved really valuable.
“I’m the type of person that prefer to be well prepared. That’s how I work. Now, however, I’ve been given tools that help me be more conscious in my preparation. I know how to clearly describe where we’re headed with a certain task, and what is required from us. I know how to follow-up in a structured manner and how to define relevant parameters for measuring progress. In general, I will say, that I now have the tools that help me sharpen my preparation, set the agenda and involve the people I work with more actively since the framing is much clearer,” Trine explains.
Inspiring role models
Not only the tools but also the training at the project management programme has been highly inspiring. The training is planned with a high degree of participation and throughout the day there is much awareness on setting the scene and being clear on purpose and approach.
“They are extremely good role models in terms of setting the scene, crafting a good flow throughout the day and making it clear to everyone what’s expected from us, how we can contribute and why we do what we do. It made it very clear to me how this kind of framing makes it almost impossible to not feel responsible and be engaged,” Trine explains.
Directly applicable
Trine explains that she is truly amazed by how much of what she learned she has already applied in her daily work. Clearly voicing her intentions and having more awareness on the people she works with are important take-aways for Trine.
“It’s dangerous to base cooperation on assumptions. Each of us bring different perspectives to a meeting or any given task. I’ve prepared one thing and gone through my line of reasoning, but I cannot expect everyone to have done the same or to know what I’m thinking. Therefore, I’m putting much more awareness and effort into voicing what I’ve prepared and where my thinking is at. Visibility and clarity are so important,” Trine rounds off.
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