02 12 2025 at 09:00
R&D PPM Cross-Sharing & Development Day: Advancing Project Success in Life Sciences
On Friday, 28 November 2025, the UCB campus in Brussels hosted the R&D Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) Cross-sharing & Development Day, an event organised by the PMI Belgium Chapter. The gathering brought together project managers and life sciences professionals from across Europe to explore strategies for enhancing project success in complex, innovation-driven environments. A key milestone of the day was the official launch of the Community of Practice (CoP) Life Sciences, marking a new chapter in collaborative knowledge-sharing within the sector.
Insights from PMI Europe
Denis Lassance, Managing Director of PMI Europe, opened the event with a reflection on the impact of PMI across the continent. He emphasised that PMI is more than an institute. It is a connected community where professionals from different cultures and industries share experience, support one another, and elevate project success together. Denis highlighted the strength of collective intelligence as a driver for value creation and long-term project impact.
A Community Powered by Collaboration
Building on this message, Anja Vandenbergh, President of PMI Belgium Chapter, described PMI as a community built on unity, collaboration, and purpose. She encouraged participants to see themselves as part of a broader movement, where each member plays a role in turning ambition into practical results. Her message reinforced the importance of connection and co-creation within the project management profession.
Understanding Project Success at UCB
Setting the tone for the discussions, host Gordon Topping explored how UCB defines and measures project success. His insights grounded the day's exchanges in real organisational practice and provided a framework for the reflections that followed.
Official Launch of the CoP Life Sciences
A highlight of the event was the formal launch of the Community of Practice Life Sciences. The initiative aims to create a shared space where professionals working in R&D, clinical development, regulatory environments, and related fields can exchange best practices and strengthen their collective expertise. During the inauguration, Benoit Schmitt and Kamil Mroz were appointed as co-leaders of the community. Their nomination was met with enthusiasm and reflects their longstanding engagement in the Belgian life sciences ecosystem.
Exploring the Many Dimensions of Project Success
The agenda featured presentations from speakers representing UCB, Agomab, and GSK. Each brought a unique perspective on defining, measuring, and achieving project success in the life sciences sector. The talks addressed challenges inherent in R&D delivery, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, and practical lessons drawn from real-world case studies.
Panel Debate and the Battle of Ideas
The day’s most dynamic exchange emerged during the panel discussion and the interactive “battle of ideas”, facilitated by Patrice Blanchard. Teams explored four scenarios comparing Agile and Critical Chain methodologies. The debate demonstrated that while each method brings valuable strengths, many effective solutions in R&D environments emerge through portfolio-level thinking and careful governance rather than strict adherence to a single methodology. The positive response to this format has already inspired interest in creating a dedicated future event focused on similar debates.
M.O.R.E. Than Certifications
Speakers also reflected on PMI’s M.O.R.E. philosophy and reminded participants that PMI represents far more than certifications. It provides a platform for learning, development, and governance excellence. The emphasis on accountability, transparency, and value-based delivery resonated with attendees and complemented the day’s focus on project success.
Conclusion and Outlook
The R&D PPM Cross-sharing & Development Day succeeded in strengthening the dialogue on project success across the life sciences sector. The launch of the Community of Practice Life Sciences lays the foundation for ongoing collaboration, with future activities expected to include whitepapers, roundtables, webinars, and an annual event. By uniting thought leaders and practitioners, the PMI Belgium Chapter continues to foster a vibrant environment where project professionals can learn, exchange, and innovate together.
This event report was prepared based on highlights and contributions provided by both the PMI Belgium Chapter team and the UCB R&D PPM team.
PMI Belgium Chapter and UCB R&D PPM Teams
