In Scope: Managing Projects at UW–Madison
In Scope is designed for managers of small- to medium-sized projects at UW–Madison.
In this series, project management experts address managing projects in the university environment, introduce project management methods and resources, and facilitate conversations around common problems and solutions.
Presenters assign minimal prework (e.g., videos or articles) for each discussion; prework materials are accessible through the Canvas learning management system.
Upon the completion of each In Scope session, the event recording and session materials are archived in the corresponding Canvas module to serve as a resource for participants.
All sessions are online. Participants can register for the entire series or select individual sessions.
Past Session Recordings
All In Scope session recordings are archived in Canvas, which requires registration and a valid NetID. Registrants may view recordings after a session has passed.
Fall 2025 Schedule
Project Risk Assessment Made Simple: The Pre-Mortem Technique
September 18 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Online
Presented by Thomas J. Tobin, senior teaching and learning developer, Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring
(this session has passed)
Content level: intermediate
Not all projects meet their goals—but many failures can be prevented with the right foresight. The pre-mortem technique helps uncover potential threats and risks before a project begins by disrupting groupthink and enabling project leads to prioritize and address problems early.
In this session, participants explored how pre-mortems have strengthened projects at UW–Madison. They saw examples of—and gained hands-on practice with—a four-step, pre-mortem technique that’s easy to apply to projects of any size. Participants left with framing questions, facilitation techniques, and assessment tools to help turn risk-management insights into concrete actions they can use right away.
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Managing Projects Sustainably: Connecting UW–Madison’s Sustainability Goals to Project Management
October 14 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Online
Presented by Alex Frank, project portfolio manager, Office of Sustainability, and Liza Waters, project manager, Office of Sustainability
Content level: introductory
Since the launch of the Environmental Sustainability Initiative, UW–Madison has undertaken a wide range of efforts to advance campus sustainability. Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from all corners of the university—and project managers have an important role to play.
In this session, you’ll learn about the Environmental Sustainability Initiative, explore how sustainability principles apply to project management, and discover practical considerations for running more sustainable projects.
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Visual Storytelling for Project Success: AI-Powered Strategies
December 18 | 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Online
Presented by Margaret Murphy, learning and development manager, Facilities Planning & Management
Content level: introductory
In this session, you’ll explore how generative AI can help you create dashboards, graphics, and data visualizations for small to medium-sized projects—enabling clear, action-oriented communication. Through real-world case studies—including learner-submitted examples—you’ll see how AI tools can be used to clarify project goals, track progress, and support stakeholder engagement. You’ll also practice evaluating project scenarios and applying AI-generated outputs that are purposeful, effective, and ready to use.
Register