As a capstone project, students develop, test and validate the compe-
tences required for ‘putting it all together’. Acknowledging the differ-
ences between ‘the whole and its many parts’, challenges from com-
pleting a major project through all its stages are successfully dealt with.
From problem analysis, conceptualization, workflow design and data
acquisition to schema implementation, analyses, validation and com-
munication of essential outcomes, all major phases of a project are
practiced. In particular, skill sets for collaborative work and structuring
of larger projects are developed. Based on impulse elements and struc-
tured inputs in the domains of project management, presentation tech-
niques, moderation / facilitation and controlling / supervision, a project
reflecting the key elements of practice-oriented work flows will qualify
students to function in teams and to start organizing tasks and chal-
lenges into structured projects. In addition, by being familiar with stand-
ard project management and communication steps, graduates will con-
fidently accept responsibilities within major project environments. At the
same time, this experience will be a major contribution to successfully
develop and complete the master thesis
