Advanced module Chief of Staff
With the advanced module for Chief of Staff certification (HdWM)
A Chief of Staff needs strong strategic project management skills to ensure that projects are planned and implemented in line with the company's objectives. Communication with stakeholders and the ability to identify and manage risks are also important in order to complete projects safely and on schedule.
Project management basics
- Differentiation between daily work and project work.
- Project understanding: classic, agile and hybrid.
- Work smarter, not harder.
- Special features of project work and project management.
- Project management in a nutshell.
Project phases
- Project start: from the idea to the project.
- Project goals and planning.
- Project plans such as structure plan, process plan, risk plan, stakeholder plan.
- Set work packages and milestones correctly.
- Realize project implementation.
- Project controlling.
People in the project
- project manager, team, specialists.
- Clear understanding of the role of the project assistant.
- Who supports whom and how?
- Targeted communication and transparency.
- Resilience.
- Conflict management.
Success factors for projects
- Information management.
- Project risks.
- Project documentation.
- Project management.
- Checklists provide security.
- Importance of project management software.
Creativity techniques
Introduction to strategic corporate management
- Strategy as a central component of entrepreneurial activity.
- Goals and challenges in strategy development - pitfalls and solutions.
- Difference between operational and strategic management.
- The role of the assistant in the strategy process: thinking - steering - shaping.
Method and toolbox for strategic assistance
- Strategy pillars: Understanding vision and mission and translating them into day-to-day business.
- SWOT analysis for practical use: structured evaluation of projects and decisions.
- Translate strategic intent into concrete measures.
- Stakeholder analysis: recognizing interests, strategically maintaining relationships.
Supporting and managing strategic projects
- From operational task manager to strategic project co-pilot.
- Recognize and mitigate obstacles in the implementation of strategies.
- Develop measures and action plans: from a rough target to a concrete to-do list.
- KPI and OKR methodology: translating targets into measures and controlling them.
Communication as the key to the strategy process
- Communication as a success factor in strategic projects: From information to impact.
- Efficiently manage the "Strategy" project: status reports, milestone updates & escalation.
- Accompanying change management: Guiding employees and teams through change.
- Recognize resistance and turn it into opportunities.
The assistant as co-pilot in the strategy process
- The role in the strategy cockpit: responsibility, influence and scope.
- Show presence and raise profile in strategic projects.
- The toolbox for practice: tools & methods with impact.
- From training to the company: Planning implementation in your own environment.
Gain clarity about your new role, develop your own management style and learn how to use important management tools in a targeted manner.
Gaining orientation in the new role
- Distinguish between managerial and technical work.
- Shaping the relationship with employees and superiors.
- Get to know and use different management styles.
- Communication & networking within the organization and externally.
Conducting conversations in critical situations
- Confident, situational handling of the individuality of employees.
- Conflicts between employees.
- Dealing with emotions.
Management tools and tasks in practice
- Delegate professionally.
- Recognize and motivate.
- Agree goals, define processes, clarify roles.
- Hold discussions with employees.
- Give appropriate feedback.
Reflection on your own leadership behavior
- Appear clearly.
- Learning from mistakes.
- Gain confidence in the new role, recognize and build on strengths.
- Comparison of self-image and external image.
Individual practical cases & collegial case consultation
Data literacy - the 1 x 1 of data
- Building data literacy - assessing and understanding company data
- Practical exercise: Assessing company data
Recognizing data potential
- Data preparation and analysis with on-board tools such as Microsoft Excel or Power BI / Tableau
- Practical exercise: Automate data preparation
Visualize data
- International Business Communication Standards (IBCS@).
- Get to know and use visualization tools
- Practical exercise: Improving dashboards visually - with best practice examples
- Data storytelling: letting data speak - in a way that everyone can understand.
Strategic AI competencies in the company
In an increasingly digitalized world, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a decisive factor for entrepreneurial success.
This module provides the necessary knowledge to use AI as a strategic tool in your company. You will learn how AI projects are initiated and evaluated, which ethical and legal aspects need to be considered and how AI can help drive innovation, increase operational efficiency and make data-based decisions.
This module offers valuable impulses for making forward-looking decisions as Chief of Staff and transforming companies sustainably.
Final presentation & colloquium: "My journey - my role"
In the final examination, a colloquium takes place and the participants give a presentation in plenary. The subject of the presentation is the participants' individual projects, which, under the motto "My journey - my role", document the participants' development during the course, strengthen their own position in the company in a targeted manner and make the potential of the role as Chief of Staff visible.
The final session is for sharing, reflecting and deepening your own insights. It provides a space to share experiences, receive inspiration and reflect on personal growth. As the certification takes place in class, there is always the opportunity to exchange ideas with the other participants as learning mentors, to learn from each other and to support each other.
Contents
Module 1: Project competence
As Chief of Staff, you need strong strategic project management skills to ensure that projects are planned and implemented in line with the company's objectives. Communication with stakeholders and the ability to identify and manage risks are also important in order to complete projects safely and on schedule.
Module 2: Strategic competence & management know-how
As a sparring partner for management, the Chief of Staff not only needs a good overview of the market and competition, but also an understanding of the strategy process, business models and customers. In this module, you will get to know management and strategy tools and apply them in a practice-oriented way.
Module 3: Leadership basics
Gain clarity about your new role, develop your own management style and learn how to use important management tools in a targeted manner.
Module 4: Data competence: Digital reporting
In this module, you will learn how to evaluate dashboards and reports and support management with targeted data analyses. You will learn how to understand and analyze company data, derive relevant findings and identify options for action. You will gain fundamental knowledge of IT technology, data management, analysis techniques and visualization.
Module 5: AI in an entrepreneurial context
This module provides the necessary knowledge to use AI as a strategic tool in your company. You will learn how AI projects are initiated and evaluated, which ethical and legal aspects need to be taken into account and how AI can help drive innovation, increase operational efficiency and make data-based decisions.
Module 6: Final presentation & colloquium
In the final module, a colloquium is held and the participants give a final presentation in plenary. The presentation focuses on the participants' individual projects, which, under the motto "My journey - my role", document the participants' development during the course, strengthen their own position in the company in a targeted manner and highlight the potential of the role of Chief of Staff.
Learning environment
In your online learning environment, you will find useful information, downloads and extra services for this training course once you have registered.
Your benefit
With this advanced module, you can start the course to become a certified Chief of Staff (HdWM). This course teaches targeted skills in the areas of project competence, leadership, strategy, data competence and artificial intelligence and prepares you for the typical job profile of a Chief of Staff. You will learn in a class group and benefit from direct exchange and networking with the other participants. You will also gain access to an international Chief of Staff network , which you can use for peer-to-peer exchange even after completing the course. Take the opportunity to take your career to the next level with this certification!
Methods
Expert input from the trainers, exercises and exchange of experience, checklists and tools.
Tool
Recommended for
If you have been supporting management in terms of content and expertise for some time and are convinced that your next career goal should be to become a Chief of Staff, then our certified course is the right choice for you. You already know what to expect in the CoS role and are ready for the change and the step into the front row. This certified course goes into depth in terms of technical knowledge and allows you to specifically expand your know-how in the areas of leadership, strategy, project management, data competence, and AI, and deepen your expertise. Interacting with your fellow students and learning in a classroom setting will enhance the learning effect and facilitate the transfer of knowledge into your everyday work. With the HdWM university certificate, you can master your next career step!
Final presentation & colloquium
Final presentation & colloquium
In the final module, a colloquium is held and the participants give a final presentation in plenary. The presentation focuses on the participants' individual projects, which, under the motto "My journey - my role", document the participants' development during the course, strengthen their own position in the company in a targeted manner and highlight the potential of the role of Chief of Staff.
The final session is for sharing, reflecting and deepening your own insights. It provides a space to share experiences, receive inspiration and reflect on personal growth. As the certification takes place in class, there is always the opportunity to exchange ideas with the other participants as learning mentors, to learn from each other and to support each other.
FAQ
If you know what the role requires and are ready to take on more responsibility, you will find a clear, structured path here to sharpen your profile and prepare for the next step in your career. The content goes into depth and builds skills in leadership, strategy, project management, data literacy, and artificial intelligence—precisely the areas that are crucial for working at the forefront.
You will spend eleven days working intensively on a competency profile that is tailored precisely to the CoS role. Specialist input, exercises, discussions, and classwork ensure that you not only absorb new knowledge but also apply it directly to your own role. The structured curriculum allows you to gradually grow into the perspective of a strategic business partner.
As Chief of Staff, you support decision-making, manage projects, prioritize tasks, and serve as an important interface within the company. This is precisely why the course teaches strategic thinking, the fundamentals of leadership, and an understanding of how management decisions are prepared. These skills will help you to act with greater confidence in your day-to-day work, provide targeted guidance, and effectively support senior management.
A large part of the CoS role involves coordinating complex issues, consolidating results, and driving projects forward. The course will strengthen your ability to structure processes, manage tasks efficiently, and implement projects professionally. This will increase your effectiveness and enable you to take on significantly more responsibility within the company.
Modern decision-making is based on data. You will learn how to evaluate and prepare information in a targeted manner and make it usable for management. Working with artificial intelligence will also give you additional tools to work more efficiently and actively leverage digital developments. These skills will future-proof you in your CoS role and strengthen your position company.
Exchanging ideas with fellow students is an essential part of the concept. Through discussions, collaborative learning, and different perspectives, you will gain a deeper and more lasting understanding of the content. The class provides an environment in which you can clarify questions, reflect, and develop new perspectives. This ensures a high level of transfer to your everyday life and strengthens your personal development.
You benefit from genuine insights into the daily practice of the CoS role. The network gives you access to experiences, best practices, and contacts beyond the course. This exchange provides guidance and helps you to shape your own path more precisely. Especially when changing roles, sparring with experienced people is a great advantage.
The final exam highlights your progress and challenges you to clearly present and justify what you have learned. You present your individual learning journey, reflect on your development during the course, and explain what next steps you have planned to further prepare yourself for the new role. This approach strengthens your persuasiveness and your ability to communicate complex content in a structured manner—skills that are essential for the CoS role.
Learning with and from each other is an important part of the course concept. The colloquium at the end of the course offers participants another opportunity to exchange experiences, advise each other, and network with each other beyond the duration of the course.
No extensive presentation is required; storytelling is more important. It's about your development, the next steps, and your path to becoming Chief of Staff. The individual presentation part lasts about 15 minutes and is followed by an open discussion and a joint feedback session with all participants.
The certificate is based on an academically verified concept and documents your university-level qualification. It shows that you not only have experience, but have also completed structured, in-depth further training with a degree. This makes your expertise visible—both internally and externally—and supports you in taking the next step in your career.
The course combines all the core competencies you need for the role of Chief of Staff in a clearly structured format. You will receive a practical, high-quality program, intensive exchange, access to a network, and a recognized university degree. This combination makes the investment worthwhile in the long term: you will gain clarity, confidence, and a skills profile that will immediately advance your career.
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