Laurent Bolli – Blog

How My Time at Salford Business School Has Prepared Me for a Career in R&D Project Management

My journey through the Master of Science in Digital Business program at Salford Business School has been transformative. It has not only consolidated my empirical skills and field knowledge but also empowered me with authoritative, business-focused content, shaping my current career in R&D project management. The program, designed to be accessible to working professionals, has given me a comprehensive understanding of digital business concepts and their impact on strategic planning, resource allocation, project management, leadership, cross-functional operations, and product development.

A valuable aspect of the program has been learning about strategic planning, including risk evaluation of new technologies to improve chances of success. I can now translate this knowledge into R&D, where structured approaches like stakeholder management and cross-cultural communication are essential for aligning research and business objectives.

The program has also taught me effective resource allocation, which is especially useful in R&D projects where resources are often limited. I now have methods and tools to optimise resources and maximise outcomes, which is crucial in the fast-paced digital environment.

Furthermore, I’ve learned to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within teams and develop a transformational leadership style. The program has emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong customer focus throughout digital marketing. My “user-centred” approach, typical of human-computer interaction methodologies, complements this perspective very well.

I’ve developed a significant understanding of facilitating cross-functional collaboration, bridging communication gaps, and enhancing cross-cultural communication, which is central in today’s international R&D landscape. My leadership capabilities have deepened, preparing me to guide teams through complex projects with a transformational style that empowers team members and fosters innovation. Case studies and practical projects have sharpened my capacity to synthesise my thoughts and research outcomes and improved my professional communication skills.

Design thinking principles and co-creation techniques I’ve learned will be invaluable in my R&D career, emphasising empathy, ideation, rapid prototyping, and stakeholder involvement. Risk management has been a key focus, assessing and mitigating technological, market, and operational risks, preparing me to navigate uncertainties in R&D projects. Using and understanding new methodological tools such as PESTEL and SWOT analysis, BPMN diagram and Critical Path diagram have been extremely useful for my career development.

The program has also prepared me well in financial management, teaching me how to create and manage budgets for complex digital projects. This knowledge will ensure that R&D projects stay financially viable and deliver returns on investment.

Reflecting on the Salford University Master’s program, I feel confident that it will benefit my career in R&D project management. The program has provided me with theoretical knowledge (and sources) and practical skills directly applicable to my current job. Moving into the dissertation phase, I am excited to apply my new skills to drive innovation, lead cross-functional teams, and contribute to research and development projects that will shape the future of technology and business.