[Editorial]

PMI Switzerland Newsletter, October 2025

Dear PMI Switzerland Community and newsletter readers,

October is here, and with it comes an exciting opportunity to put your project management expertise into action! This month's newsletter is packed with energy, challenge, and anticipation as we prepare to deliver to you great events that bring our community together in meaningful ways.

The Ultimate PM Challenge is back! After captivating project managers in Zurich, Basel, and Lausanne, this year's International Project Management Day celebration on 29 October brings the spotlight to Geneva. Inside, discover the fascinating world of SimulTrain® – the simulation that compresses months of real-world project complexity into just a few intense hours. We're unveiling five surprising facts about this unique experience that goes far beyond traditional PM metrics to test your leadership, stakeholder management, and team motivation skills. Whether you're a seasoned PM or an enthusiastic learner, this is your chance to compete, connect, and discover what truly makes projects succeed (or fail) under pressure. The competition is just days away – are you ready?

And there's more to celebrate! We're thrilled to share that PMI Switzerland is approaching a remarkable milestone: 25 years of community, learning, and growth. Save the date for 6 March 2026 as we gather to honor the journey from a small group of founders to our vibrant community of 2,000+ members today. This celebration is about you – our members, volunteers, and partners who make this chapter what it is today.

PMI Academia continues to build bridges between students and the project management community. Are you a student interested in joining the Projekt Management Simulation Competition 2026? More details on the article below.

Dive into this month's newsletter to learn what makes SimulTrain® unlike any other PM competition, the details on how to register for the Ultimate Challenge, the Projekt Management Simulation Competition 2026 and the story behind our quarter-century of impact.

Warm regards,

Daniel Rodellar, PMP. Publications Director.
PMI Switzerland Newsletter Team

[Article]

5 Things you probably didn’t know about SimulTrain®

On the International Project Management Day 2025, PMI Switzerland Chapter and STS (https://www.sts.ch) invite you to the Ultimate PM Challenge. After Zurich, Basel, and Lausanne, the spotlight now also shines on Geneva. 

The secret ingredient of the Ultimate PM Challenge is SimulTrain®. So let’s uncover 5 things you may not know about it and that will make this competition unlike any other:

1. It compresses months of project life into hours
In SimulTrain®, a team of 3–4 participants steps into the role of project managers running a mid-size project. The simulation runs in accelerated mode, so within just a few hours you’ll face the kind of decisions, risks, and conflicts that usually unfold over months.

2. It’s about more than time, cost, and scope

Real projects succeed, or fail, also because of people. That’s why SimulTrain® forces you to consider motivation, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction alongside traditional KPIs. You can deliver on budget and on time, yet still fail if your team disengages.

[Article]

The Ultimate Project Management Challenge Returns – Join Us on 29 October 2025!

‍Are you ready to put your project management skills to the test? 

‍Project managers, aspiring PMs and project management enthusiasts mark your calendars! The PMI Switzerland Chapter is celebrating International Project Management Day 2025 with the return of the Ultimate Project Management Challenge. 

Following last year’s resounding success, the PMI Switzerland Chapter, in collaboration with STS, The Project Management Training Company (sts.ch), invites professionals from across Switzerland to take part in a nationwide SimulTrain® simulation. This interactive competition puts you in the role of a project manager, navigating high-pressure scenarios, unexpected challenges and team dynamics in real time. 

Whether it’s managing risks, resolving conflicts, or making split-second decisions, this is your chance to demonstrate the skills that make great project managers stand out. Teams will compete locally, with top performers advancing to a Swiss-wide ranking. Prizes, recognition, and valuable networking opportunities await during the post-event apéro, where you can enjoy drinks, light snacks and connect with peers from across the country.

[Article]

PMI Switzerland’s 25th Anniversary:
Save the Date

‍Author: The PMI Switzerland Anniversary Team

‍Twenty-five years ago, a small group planted the seed for what is now a community of 2,000+ members. Since then, we have learned together, built bridges across industries, and supported one another through challenges and wins. Now it’s time to celebrate the people behind that journey—our members, volunteers, partners… and you.

Save the Date

When: Friday, 6 March 2026, 17:00
Where: Let yourself be surprised!

Join us for an evening of connection, stories, and inspiration as we honor our past and look ahead to the chapter's future. Thank you for being the heart of PMI Switzerland. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Warm regards,

The PMI Switzerland Anniversary Team

[Article]

PMI Switzerland at the AMIV Kontakt Fair, ETH Zurich

‍PMI Academia proudly represented PMI Switzerland at this year’s AMIV Kontakt Fair at ETH Zurich, one of the university’s key networking events connecting students with professional opportunities.

Our team was delighted to introduce students and recent graduates to PMI’s offerings and to share exciting news about the upcoming Project Management Simulation Competition 2026. This event will bring together talented students from universities across Switzerland to put their skills into practice in a real-world project management challenge.

The level of interest at our booth exceeded all expectations. We had many inspiring conversations with motivated students eager to explore project management as a career path and to engage with our vibrant professional community.

Building on this momentum, we are now in contact with EPF Lausanne (EPFL) to organize a specific event for students, where we will introduce PMI Switzerland and promote the Project Management Competition. 

[Sponsors]

‍Get to know our sponsors

[Community PMI CH]

Members Update

A warm welcome to all new members that joined our Chapter.

Congratulations also to the members who obtained certifications.

The following members provided information about themselves: Shahidah Foster, Ash Leyva, Daniel Valdera Carrasco.

[Social media]

‍What's‍ New on Social Media? Check it out !

‍The PMI Switzerland Chapter is a non-profit professional business organization, and is a chartered chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Newtown Square, PA, USA.

Views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and, unless otherwise stated, do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the chapter or PMI or imply partnership.

© Copyright 2022 Project Management Institute Switzerland Chapter. All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe from our Newsletter ‍

‍

‍ ‍