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Project leadership

The technical and methodological skills that project managers apply on a daily basis are no longer sufficient in today's socio-economic environment. It is now essential to acquire the new key skills and mindset needed to successfully assume the role of project leader.

Project leadership
training informations
Certificate of advanced studies (CAS)
duration
15 days spread over 6 months
price
-10% until 31 October 2026
CHF 8’550
CHF 9’500
language
French
location
Onsite

internationally recognized
hands-on & practical course

Presentation of the program

This certificate (CAS) aims to help project managers move to the next level of project management, not by mastering more technical and methodological skills, but by acquiring the key competencies and mindset needed to become a project leader.

Indeed, the times we live in today show that methodological project management skills remain essential, but are no longer sufficient for successful project completion. If agility, adaptation, resilience and diversity were important in the past, they are now essential and vital. Project managers now need to know how to guide diverse teams towards a goal that makes sense to them in an agile and resilient way, while adapting to the organization's strategy. We offer a holistic, cross-functional vision of project management, emphasizing the human and relational dimension.

The role of project manager is above all a sum of skills rather than a title. It's a set of skills, a sum of actions and a state of mind. As a project player, we'll help you guide your teams in an inclusive, agile and resilient way, in line with organizational strategies.

This CAS therefore does not go back over the basic fundamental and methodological principles of project management (traditional or agile), but takes an in-depth look at the key skills needed to increase personal contribution as a project leader and thus improve the chances of success.

Learning objectives

  1. Identify how to lead your team in an agile, adaptive and resilient way, and engage your stakeholders.
  2. Develop the right mindset and leadership style for modern project management.
  3. Promote and manage diversity in your teams to ensure respect for individuals and the success of your projects.

Target audience

  1. Project, portfolio or program managers or stakeholders wishing to improve their skills.
  2. Managers or professionals seeking to explore a human and inclusive approach to project management.
  3. Anyone wishing to explore new ways of organizing, managing or piloting a project.

Program's curriculum

The open program in Project leadership is a CAS designed for professionals wishing to develop new skills in parallel with their professional activity. This open program incorporates a strong participatory dimension. The fundamental notions will be presented beforehand, then supplemented and illustrated by numerous practical exercises based on real cases.

The Project leadership program consists of 5 blocks . This represents 15 days spread over 6 months. That represents a total of 105 hours of teaching and about as many hours of personal work.

each module can be followed individually

01
Human project management
Project management is based on two dimensions: technical and human skills. This short program lays the foundations of project leadership by focusing on the human aspects: the leader and his/her leadership style, the project team that guides collaboration and ensures alignment, and the stakeholders. see program Human project management
02
Design thinking
Learn how to integrate design thinking into your projects to transform collaboration and stimulate innovation. Master concrete tools to put the user at the heart of decision-making and create collaborative dynamics adapted to the challenges of complex projects. see program Design thinking
03
Inclusive leadership
Diversity affects every project team. This short program is designed to help you understand diversity - what differences exist between project participants, and what is at stake in these differences? - and develop inclusive habits of collaboration and interaction to best manage this diversity. see program Inclusive leadership
04
Agile leadership
Discover the transformative potential of agility, connected to the reality of your organization. You'll learn not only how to run a project or product according to agile principles, but also how to create a truly sustainable culture of commitment within the projects and teams you lead. see program Agile leadership
05
Project resilience
Discover how to anticipate and manage uncertainty in your projects with the help of strategic design tools. In an increasingly complex business context, this innovative approach goes beyond traditional risk management approaches to increase overall project and organizational resilience. see program Project resilience

Program's sessions

You can see all our open program sessions in Project leadership below. Click on the session you are interested in or check the full calendar.
see calendars
March 2027
open
start
11 March 2027
end
26 June 2027
language
French
registration
Before 31 January 2027

Some testimonials

Ingrid Crisinel
Ingrid Crisinel
15 days of enriching training, interaction and questioning about our practice and how to improve it! This course gives us the keys to strengthening our leadership in a caring way.
Joakim Auf der Mauer
Joakim Auf der Mauer
The discussions with the participants and the speakers showed me that the strength of a team lies in its diversity and that, as a project manager, I have to create an environment where everyone feels valued and listened to if we are to succeed together.
María Elena Crausaz
María Elena Crausaz
This open program provided me with tools that can be quickly applied in daily practice. It is truly an open program that shakes things up in the best possible way.

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Frequently asked questions

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Can this certificate truly strengthen my stance as a project leader?

Yes, because you work on your personal positioning just as much as on your way of operating. The program does not revisit the basics of methodology. It helps you understand how your leadership stance influences engagement and team dynamics.

You analyze your working patterns, your relationship with uncertainty, and your ability to rally people around a goal. This self-awareness strengthens your consistency.

You gain clarity on what it means to "lead" a project today. You move beyond simply coordinating tasks. You embody a direction that is aligned with organizational strategy and stakeholder expectations.


If I already master project methods, will I really make progress?

That is precisely the point. This certificate is designed for professionals who already know the tools. It takes you beyond processes.

You explore the human, relational, and strategic dimensions of project management. You learn to adjust your leadership style based on context and team maturity.

This approach complements your technical skills. It helps you act earlier on weak signals, prevent roadblocks, and sustain engagement over time. You progress in analytical depth and personal impact, not in the accumulation of methods.


How do I develop a truly agile and resilient mindset?

You work on your ability to adapt in the face of uncertainty. The concepts of agility, resilience, and diversity are studied in a structured way, then put into perspective through real-world situations.

You identify your reactions to the unexpected and the levers you can use to adjust your approach. This reflection helps you avoid responses that are either too rigid or too reactive.

By understanding the mechanisms at play, you adopt a more clear-headed approach. You guide your teams with steadiness, even when the context shifts rapidly. This stability builds trust around you.


Will I learn to better manage diversity within my teams?

Yes, by approaching diversity as a resource to be structured rather than a constraint to be managed. You analyze the dynamics related to profiles, professional cultures, and individual expectations.

The certificate helps you create an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute constructively. You identify the conditions that encourage the expression of different perspectives while maintaining a clear direction.

This approach reduces unnecessary tensions and limits misunderstandings. You increase the project's chances of success by fully leveraging available skills, with respect for individuals.


Can this certificate help me better engage my stakeholders?

Yes, by giving you frameworks to understand their expectations and motivations. You analyze stakeholder dynamics and the interactions between teams, leadership, and partners.

This understanding allows you to adapt your communication and clarify shared objectives. You reduce the areas of ambiguity that hinder buy-in.

By structuring your approach, you increase engagement around the project. Decisions are better understood. Resistance is addressed earlier. You strengthen the overall solidity of your initiatives.


How can I concretely apply what I learn to my projects?

The teaching approach relies on simulations, peer exchanges, and real-world case analysis. You work from contexts that are close to your own practice.

Between sessions, you can test new approaches or adjust the way you lead your teams. You observe the results and refine your methods.

Over time, you develop a leadership style that is more inclusive, more adaptable, and more aligned with your organization's strategy. The skills you acquire integrate directly into your current projects and strengthen your professional impact.


Why choose this program over certifications such as PMP, PMI, or HERMES?

Frameworks and certifications like PMP from the Project Management Institute (PMI) or HERMES, widely used in Switzerland, focus primarily on methods, processes, and project management standards. They provide a structured approach to planning, executing, and controlling projects based on recognized best practices.

The CAS in Project Leadership takes a complementary approach by emphasizing the human dimension and leadership, which are decisive factors in project success. It develops your ability to mobilize teams, exercise constructive influence, and navigate complex organizational environments.

This program is especially relevant for professionals who already use these frameworks or plan to, and who want to strengthen their stance and effectiveness beyond methodology.


Does this program help me manage human risk in project management?

Yes, by giving you clear frameworks to observe and understand human dynamics throughout the project lifecycle. You learn to identify the factors that influence engagement, cooperation, and alignment with objectives.

The program helps you structure your analysis of stakeholders, interactions, and any gaps between strategic intent and how things are perceived on the ground.

This analytical ability sharpens your judgment. You fine-tune your communication and leadership style with greater precision. You make better-informed decisions by treating the human dimension as a central element of project success.



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The quality of the training and the professionalism of the instructors are reflective of HEC Lausanne.
Benjamin Flachs
Benjamin Flachs
Former participant
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March 2027
open
start
11 March 2027
end
26 June 2027
language
French
registration
Before 31 January 2027
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