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Project Management
The Doctor of Science in Project Management at Alma Mater Europaea University (AMEU) offers a unique concentration in Project, Program, and Portfolio Management (PPPM), including PMO Management, aimed at elevating professionals and researchers to the highest level of creative leadership. The program primarily targets experts globally, and is also recognized as an EU degree program. Whether you're a top-level manager, executive, consultant, researcher, or academic, this program equips you with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of project-based operational models in both private and public sectors.
At its core, this program is designed to prepare students to think strategically and contribute meaningfully to the field of PPPM. It focuses on developing leaders who can manage high-complexity projects and mega-projects, as well as stakeholders’ rising expectations. Whether you are looking to drive innovation, lead organizational change, or position yourself competitively in the market, this program provides the foundation for success.
Project Management and Research
Recent international research confirms that projects contribute significantly to national economies, accounting for 30-40% of economic activity—a phenomenon referred to as "projectification." This trend is not confined to traditional sectors like construction or IT but has spread across industries seeking to introduce innovation and adapt to market shifts. Consequently, the demand for skilled project, program, portfolio, and PMO management professionals is growing, as is the complexity of the projects themselves. This complexity creates a gap between the need for qualified leaders and the availability of such talent, especially in handling the multifaceted demands of large-scale projects.
Trending Research Topics in Project Management
The field of project management is evolving rapidly, with several key research areas shaping the future of the discipline. Notable trends include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is transforming project management by automating routine tasks, enhancing predictive analytics, and improving decision-making with AI-driven tools.
- Mega projects: Research focuses on frameworks for managing the complexity of large-scale investments, risk management, stakeholder coordination, and advanced governance models that ensure the successful delivery of high-impact, multi-sector projects, while integrating cutting-edge technologies for more efficient execution.
- Digital Transformation: The integration of cloud computing, blockchain, and Agile methodologies in managing digital projects is an essential area of research.
- Remote and Hybrid Project Management: Managing virtual teams, utilizing digital collaboration tools, and addressing cross-cultural communication are crucial in the current global work environment.
- Sustainability and Green Project Management: Research is focusing on how Projects and PMOs can drive sustainability initiatives and align these with organizational strategies.
- PMO Operating models: Research explores different types of operating models for multi-PMO organizations, including governance structures, integration into PPPM, and alignment with broader organizational frameworks.
- PMO Maturity and Impact: Research into PMO governance frameworks, compliance, and assurance is critical as organizations evolve their PMO operating models to add more value.
- Leadership and Team Dynamics: Topics such as emotional intelligence, diversity, and team performance are gaining prominence in improving project outcomes.
- Data-Driven PPPM: The application of big data, real-time dashboards, and data governance practices are shaping how project managers make informed decisions.
The Importance of Research in PPPM - Examples of PMO Management
PMOs are key entities in aligning project outcomes with organizational goals, yet significant research is still required to enhance PMO effectiveness. Areas such as PMO maturity, PMO impact, organizational design, governance, and compliance need further exploration to build world-class PMO operating models that can function across diverse industries.
AMEU actively encourages research into these areas, supporting students in not only investigating specific topics but also understanding their broader implications. Our program fosters a framework-based research approach, which examines the causal relationships between different project management components. For example, AIPMO (Association of International Project Management Officers), a key partner of AMEU, utilizes frameworks in research and teaching. These frameworks help structure research and facilitate knowledge transfer to industry, enabling students to apply theoretical insights to real-world challenges.
This approach ensures that graduates not only excel academically but also become leaders capable of addressing the dynamic challenges of modern project management.
Success Factors in Your Doctoral Journey
Your success in completing the program will largely depend on four key factors: time, your supervisor, access to journals, and funding. AMEU addresses three of these factors directly—providing renowned international supervisors, comprehensive access to academic resources, and support for funding opportunities. The one element you will need to contribute is time. However, with expert supervisors guiding you to get things right the first time, you'll minimize wasted time, just as with any well-executed project. Proper planning, combined with these other success factors, will pave the way to success.
Remember, growth occurs when you step outside your comfort zone. At AMEU, we challenge you to expand your knowledge and embrace innovative solutions. As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "A mind, when stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." We invite you to join us on this transformative journey!
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Study Program Partners
Research without application and application without research both miss the fundamental concept of progress, whether evolutionary or revolutionary. Alma Mater’s doctorate program is highly sought after due to its strong links to the practitioner community, particularly through associations like AIPMO, Switzerland, and Tiba, Germany. These organizations have pioneered a framework-driven, research-based approach to developing standards and guides, rigorously tested on real projects and validated by thousands of professionals through certification and non-certification courses.
Training and consulting firms play a crucial role in creating a feedback loop between research findings and their practical application in various types of organizations. The success of academic institutions with close ties to the business world is well-documented, and we are committed to practicing what we preach by fostering an open-systems approach—where every stakeholder benefits from this cycle of innovation, creation, and application.
Below are our esteemed study program partners who help ensure that our doctorate in project management remains one of the best in the world. As our program expands so will our partners.
Alma Mater University and the Association of International Project Management Officers (AIPMO) have partnered on this ground-breaking PhD program specifically designed for professionals in PMO (Project Management Office) management and PPM (Project Portfolio Management). This program aims to significantly enhance the understanding of PMO management and PPM while generating valuable, research-driven insights that directly influence practitioner courses and working practices. AIPMO follows a rigorous, research-based approach, using empirically tested frameworks, methods, standards, and guides that are proven before being introduced to the practitioner community. In addition to the PhD program, this partnership will include the development of a joint MSc program. The MSc will act as a bridge between undergraduate degrees and doctoral studies, likely incorporating AIPMO’s specialist courses to ensure students gain both advanced theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience in the field. One of the key benefits of this collaboration is the accelerated translation of research into practice. Typically, it takes around eight years for research findings to reach the practitioner community. However, through this partnership, we can reduce that timeframe to just months, ensuring that cutting-edge insights are quickly applied in real-world contexts as well as the standards and guides produced by AIPMO. With more than 100 focused research topics, AIPMO’s structured frameworks ensure that students contribute to research that not only advances academic understanding but also delivers direct value to practitioners. This approach is particularly effective in addressing and solving complex organizational challenges, making it highly transferable to practical applications. For more information about AIPMO and its partnership with Alma Mater University, please visit https://www.aipmo.org/aipmo-phd-program/. This partnership will also support research into emerging topics such as AI, sustainability, data, and PMO operating models. By focusing on these cutting-edge areas, students will have the opportunity to contribute to both academic knowledge and the advancement of professional practices, positioning them at the forefront of the field.
https://www.aipmo.org/
IPMO Advisory is a Swiss-based training organization and a premium partner of AIPMO. Specializing in PMO (Project Management Office) and PPPM (Project, Program, and Portfolio Management) courses, IPMO Advisory collaborates closely with research students and professors who not only teach these courses but also attend and present their latest research findings. This unique approach ensures that course participants benefit from cutting-edge insights directly from the academic and professional research community.
www.ipmoadvisory.com
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Courses
STUDY PROGRAM SUMMARY
Specialized Doctoral study in project, program and portfolio management.
Patronage of European Academy of Science and Arts (EASA) for AMEU study programs
3 years part time study program, designed for employed people
Prerequisites – university master degree, knowledge of English language, experience in project management minimum 3 years
Official language: English
Blended, online and in-class participation
Ability to deliver the full program online if necessary, in the case of global pandemic
Work load: 60 ECTS per academic year
Our professors are international team coming from – Austria, Italy, USA, Germany, Slovenia, ….
Venues for in-class part of lectures and research workshops are major cities within Central Europe (i.e. Zagreb, Vienna, Budapest, Munich, Milan, Berlin,…. ). Specific places are selected for each course within current academic year, in communication with students. In the case of global pandemic, in-class part of the program will be delivered in online mode, with no change in the content or schedule
Application for PM DR study programme at AME is active via e-portal of Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. By completing the enrolment application, one is not obliged to enrol, however the application is mandatory for all that wish/decide to enrol for a study. In the case of any need for technical support for completing the registration, or being not able to register by online, please use this form and send it to the following mail address mladen.radujkovic@almamater.si.
The first year
6 courses and 2 seminars, joint and individual workload, 6 weekends joint in-class lectures with parallel live streaming and all lectures recording for late availability for students.
Compulsory courses:
Research design and methodology
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Project Management
Project, Program and Portfolio Management
Elective:
Students select three courses from the list with options, such as:
People in Project-oriented Organisations HRM in Projects, Programs and Project-oriented Organisations
Competence Development in Project, Program and Portfolio Management
Mega projects and Complex Project Management
IT in project management
Managing risks, changes and constraints in projects
Second and third year
Second and third year are focused to student individual work primarily on thesis proposal development, research and thesis defence and include:
participation and presentations at research workshops,
active participation at PM research conference,
conference and journal research papers publishing,
case study,
thesis development and defence,
….
Faculty
Programs:
Graduate: Environmental Studies, Social Gerontology
Graduate: Project Management, Social Gerontology
CV:
Bibliography: Read more
Advantages
The Doctor of Science in Project Management program at Alma Mater Europaea University (AMEU) offers a comprehensive set of advantages designed to equip students with advanced Project, Program, and Portfolio Management (PPPM) including PMO Management competencies, foster research excellence, and prepare them for leadership roles across industries.
International Learning Locations
- Hybrid Learning: Flexible options to study online or in-person.
- On-Site Learning: Available in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia, providing a global perspective through diverse environments and cultures.
Core Competencies
- PPPM: Gain essential skills in managing complex projects, including risk, time, and cost management, across diverse sectors.
- Mega Project Expertise: Specialized training in handling large-scale, high-impact projects with complex governance and resource management requirements.
Research and Methodological Expertise
- Mastery of Methodologies: Develop both theoretical and practical research skills, encompassing quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Leverage insights across various fields such as data analytics, organizational behavior, and leadership.
- Holistic Frameworks: Understand complex systems through frameworks that reveal the relationships between different components of projects and portfolios.
- Data-Driven Insights: Utilize cutting-edge data analytics to improve project outcomes and performance.
- Applied Research: Conduct real-world research that addresses both academic and industry challenges, producing practical and innovative solutions.
Global Collaboration and Innovation
- International Project Leadership: Lead international projects and collaborate with global teams, gaining experience in cross-border project execution.
- Creative Problem Solving: Develop innovative solutions to tackle labor and project-specific challenges while adhering to ethical standards.
Consulting Expertise
- Consulting Skills: Prepare for expert consulting roles in project, program, and portfolio management.
- Strategic Advisory: Acquire the ability to provide strategic guidance on project alignment, process improvements, and organizational success.
- Industry Partnerships: Engage in real-world consulting projects and case studies with industry partners, enhancing your network and professional experience.
Leadership and Professional Growth
- Complex Systems Management: Lead and manage intricate labor systems and organizational frameworks.
- Advanced PMO Leadership: Develop advanced leadership skills in managing multi-PMO environments and integrating them into broader organizational strategies.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
- Critical Thinking and Self-Assessment: Cultivate critical thinking, self-assessment, and constructive feedback skills.
- Lifelong Learning: Embrace continuous professional development to stay ahead of trends such as AI, sustainability, and digital transformation.
Technological Support
- Modern Learning Platforms: Benefit from live and recorded lectures, videoconferencing, peer communication, and electronic study materials to create a seamless, adaptable learning experience.
Grants & Partnerships
Employability
Graduates of the Doctor of Science in Project Management are highly sought after across industries that implement complex projects, programs, portfolios and PMOs. With their advanced expertise, graduates find employment in various sectors:
- Economic Sector: Graduates lead the management of large-scale, high-impact projects and PMOs. They are key in overseeing strategic development and execution, such as optimizing project offices, and integrating portfolio management across organizations.
- Consulting Firms: Specialists in design and execution, graduates are primed to offer expert consultancy services that help multinational firms implement PMOs, improve project frameworks, and execute high-stakes projects efficiently.
- Public Institutions and Government: Graduates play vital roles in managing public-sector projects through government PMOs, driving urban development, infrastructure, and national initiatives. They bring the skills to prepare, evaluate, and control public projects, ensuring that these initiatives align with governmental policies and objectives.
- Mega projects: As the scale and complexity of mega-projects expand globally, graduates are well-prepared to lead such endeavors, providing expertise in managing cross-border, interdisciplinary initiatives across industries such as infrastructure, energy, and IT.
- Education and Research: Graduates contribute to the academic sector by educating future project and PMO managers and engaging in research that advances Project, Program, Portfolio, and PMO methodologies and strategies for better organizational impact.
High-Demand Skills for Senior-Level Roles
Professionals with a Doctorate in Project Management expertise are positioned for senior roles in:
- Strategic Leadership: Guiding organizations through project transformation and portfolio realignment to meet business objectives
- Interdisciplinary Expertise: Managing PMOs that oversee projects across various sectors, addressing governance, sustainability, risk management, and digital transformation.
- Global Consulting: Advising organizations on optimizing their Project, Program, Portfolio, including PMO structures (PPPM), ensuring efficient execution, managing risks, and achieving strategic goals.
Graduates become leaders not only within traditional sectors but also as innovators shaping the future of PPPM globally.
Resources
In addition to events, this section also provides essential tools like the Project Management Lexicon, offering valuable insights into the latest terminology, methodologies, and software shaping the industry. These tools help you stay current with evolving concepts and practices, making navigating the complex landscape of project management easier.
Below is the list of Conferences/Events:
PMI Global Summit 2024
Los Angeles, California, USA, September 18-21, 2024
https://pmiglobalsummit.gcs-web.com/
FuturePMO
London, UK, October 3, 2024
https://www.futurepmo.com/
Digital PM Summit
Austin, Texas, USA, October 14-15, 2024
https://bureauofdigital.com/event/digital-pm-summit-2024
The 33rd IPMA World Congress 2024
Cape Town, South Africa, 27-29 November 2024
https://myipma.ipma.world/events/120/the-33rd-ipma-world-congress-2024