Introduction

 

In today’s business environment, managers are often called upon to be agents of change in order to deliver business benefits. In many cases, delivery of business benefits is achieved by projects delivering the required products, services or outcomes within given time and cost constraints. Professional project management is the key to success.

 

This course has been designed for those involved in project management to learn and practise the techniques and skills which will contribute to success. Training methods used include presentations, discussions, video films, exercises and extensive casework.

 

This course will involve a significant amount of evening work to ensure maximum practical experience.
 
Course Objectives

To enable those involved in project management to learn and practise the techniques and skills which will contribute to successful achievement of project objectives.

 

What skills will the delegate gain?

This course will enable delegates to:

-Adopt a structured approach to project management.
-Produce a cost/benefit analysis and monitor benefits realisation.
-Define a firm foundation for project success.
-Manage project risk.
-Use planning and control techniques to manage a complex project.
-Understand the particular problems of managing project teams.
-Use a model of team role behaviour to improve group effectiveness.
-Incorporate third party contributions effectively into the project process

 

Course Content

Projects and project management
Characteristics of project work.
Project management roles.
The project management life cycle

 

Project inception and the business case
The inception phase.
The business case.
Investment appraisal techniques.
Benefits realisation.

 

Project definition
Project goals, objectives and scope.
Project structure.
Project organisation and responsibilities.
Communication plan.
The project definition workshop.

 

Risk management
Identification of risk to the project.
Analysis of risk.
Actions to reduce risk.
Monitoring and controlling risk

 

Project planning
Products, activities and dependencies.
Estimating effort and duration.
Contingency allowances.
Project costing.
Management decision points.

 

Managing project teams
The project team and matrix management.
Management style and communication.
Motivation.

 

Project monitoring and control
Quality in a project environment.
Change control and configuration management.
Progress and cost control.
Managing issues.
Taking corrective action.

 

Supplier management
The procurement cycle.
Supplier/product selection.
Managing consultants and contractors.
Negotiation.

 

Managing change
Recognising reaction to change.
Dealing with resistance.
Change implementation.

 

Team skills management
Understanding teams.
Team role specifications.
Improving team performance.

 

Project completion
Handover and acceptance.
Project review and lessons learned.
Project close.
The post-implementation review.

Who will the course benefit?

 

All business managers who are responsible for the achievement of project objectives (eg developing or launching new products, moving premises, introducing new methods of working)

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Prerequisites

No previous experience of project management is required, but we assume that delegates are familiar with basic project management techniques, as covered on the Project Management Techniques course.