In 2025, we launched a new general registration project management training designed specifically for STEM (and STEM-adjacent) professionals. The training debuted in two parts: an introductory Mini-workshop (also known as PMI) and a three-week, six-module bootcamp (aka PMB). In 2026, based on feedback from participants, we’re combining these two parts (PMI + PMB) into a single training offering (that also includes a new orientation option – see below for more).
In this blog post, you’ll find an overview of the training, as well as what these recent changes mean for individual registrants, private cohorts, and participants in the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to training@cscce.org.
Sidenote: We know that many of you have indicated an interest in taking PMB in the first half of 2026, and we’re working on scheduling that! We’ll be in touch with everyone who completed our course and Mini-workshop interest forms recently, and you can keep checking our Events calendar, which we’ll update as soon as we’ve finalized dates.
About PMB: 2026 edition!
One of the pieces of feedback we heard last year was that while the introductory Mini-workshop, PMI, was a helpful “scene setting” session to set up PMB, it was leaving those who did not sign up to the bootcamp wanting more. We also noticed that the fast, bootcamp-pace of PMB introduced some challenges for individuals new to CSCCE training courses.
For these reasons, we decided to combine PMI and PMB into a single course (and remove PMI from our Mini-workshop catalogue). We’ve also added an optional orientation session to support participants unfamiliar with the CSCCE online learning environment, so you’ll arrive at the start of the course confident and ready to engage
Course components
From 2026, general registration offerings of PMB will run for five weeks. We’ll kick things off in week 1 with the optional 30-minute orientation session (which will cover how we use Canvas, Google Drive, Zoom, and Slack during the course, and ensure learners are confident accessing each of the tools), followed by the (required) two-hour introductory session.
Then, we’ll pause for a week (week 2) so that participants have time to consolidate the new vocabulary and concepts from the introductory session and complete their initial homework assignment.
With this firm foundation in place, we’ll host two, two-hour sessions a week (weeks 3-5) for the next three weeks.
Course syllabus
OPTIONAL ORIENTATION SESSION
Because this is a fast-paced, bootcamp-style training, we strongly encourage anyone new to CSCCE’s online learning environment to attend a 30-minute orientation session before the course begins. We will demonstrate how to login and access course materials in Canvas, where to find activities and worksheets in Google Drive, and some useful tips and tricks for navigating between Zoom, Canvas, and Drive during our live sessions. CSCCE staff will also be able to answer any questions participants might have before the course begins.
INTRODUCTORY MODULE
The introductory module provides an overview of the concepts and approaches scientists can use in managing their collaborative projects. Participants will leave the session able to describe what a project is and the relationship between projects and operations. We’ll also discuss the three types of project and their relationship to uncertainty and complexity. Finally, we will explore the competencies of an effective project leader, whatever their job title.
MODULE ONE: FOUNDATIONS
The first workshop session focuses on the Foundation domain of the Project Canvas – the purpose of a project, the investment required to run it, and defining the benefits it will generate. Participants will choose from one of three case studies to begin building out a Project Canvas as a team.
MODULE TWO: APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT CANVAS
With support from instructors, participants can choose to co-work, receive one-to-one support, or participate in a Q&A session about applying the Project Canvas to their own project. We will provide template Project Canvases for participants to use in their own work.
MODULE THREE: PEOPLE
In the third module, we discuss the People domain of the Project Canvas – who is accountable for the project’s implementation, who will manage the project, who on the team has the necessary skills to carry out the work, and who are the stakeholders benefiting from the project’s outcome.
MODULE FOUR: APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT CANVAS
With support from instructors, participants can choose to co-work, receive one-to-one support, or participate in a Q&A session about applying the Project Canvas to their own project.
MODULE FIVE: CREATION
In module five, we consider the final domain of the Project Canvas – Creation. We focus on defining project deliverables, breaking down the project’s plan – the approach used and the timeline and tasks, and managing change, risk and stakeholder expectations.
MODULE SIX – FINAL PRESENTATIONS, IMPLEMENTATION TIPS
We close out the training by discussing the completed Project Canvas for each of the case study teams, followed by tips for introducing the Project Canvas to your own organization.
You can find out more about the course and its learning outcomes on the PMB page of the website.
Private cohorts
In 2024/5 we ran private offerings of PMB as either 2-day bootcamps or multi-week courses (like our general registration version of PMB), and we are currently taking reservations for 2026.
Private cohorts are a great way of bringing together your team, community, or champions program participants to foster connection, collaboration, and growth; perfect for groups of 20-30 individuals. We can work with you to customize the course schedule, including arranging live sessions in your timezone, running them over successive days rather than over multiple weeks, or arranging for an in-person bootcamp.
If you’d like to learn more about private cohorts of PMB (or other CSCCE trainings) please email training@cscce.org.
How this change will affect the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program
Participants in the CSCCE Community Manager Certification Program are eligible to take PMB as one of their elective courses. If you are currently actively enrolled in the program (i.e., you have not already graduated) and previously completed the introductory Mini-workshop (PMI) and the three-week version of PMB, you can choose to enroll in an additional Mini-workshop this year at no additional cost.
What our learners are saying
Our last cohort of PMB ran in November/December 2025 (PMB25F). Here’s what our most-recent grads had to say about the training:
“Special thanks for two things – the personal touch and support, and the design that allowed for a lot of information dissemination in a relatively short amount of time.”
“The content of the course was very interesting…the use of the HBR model was excellent and adapted really well to the sector. The case studies were well devised and gave a good practical experience. The project canvas provided an extremely useful tool moving forward, and the trainers/facilitators were all great, which contributed to a really nice, collegiate atmosphere – well done and thanks!”
“I would recommend [PMB] to faculty clients who are thrust into PM roles with little to no training or understanding of the domains and complexities they need to be aware of.”
“I am constantly taking back approaches to improve engagements in the meetings I run based on the way CSCCE runs its meetings. This program was no different. In particular, I love that people have the opportunity to contribute by writing in the chat or the google doc and then being given the opportunity to expand. The moderators do a great job of making sure everyone gets a chance to be spotlighted in this or other ways. It’s so welcoming.”