Introduction courses in project management are suitable if you are:-

• New to project management
• Have some experience and want to understand the principles
• Looking to move into project management
  

Regular introduction training courses to project management are held in Ascot, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Daventry, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newbury, Southampton, Swindon & Windsor & other locations nationwide

Course titles include

• Introduction to Project Management (1 day)
• The discipline of project management requires people with a specialist background to work in a different way. This 1-day training course introduces the concepts and approaches of project management and is ideal for staff members or individuals new to projects or project teams.
  
• • Courses in London

• Project Management Overview (1 day)
• This overview training course describes the fundamental requirements for successful project management. It provides an understanding of how projects should be set up so that the objectives can be achieved and how to provide a structure in which project staff can operate successfully.
  
• • Courses in Birmingham, Leeds & London

• Association of Project Management Introductory Certificate in Project Management (2 days)
• The training course is designed to give delegates a complete and practical introduction to project management and to prepare delegates for the 1-hour multiple choice examination, which is accredited by the APM. The syllabus focuses on breadth rather than depth and is designed to improve knowledge and awareness.
  
• • Courses in Ascot, Bristol, Chester, Daventry, Dunfermline, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Newbury, Manchester & Windsor

• Managing Small Projects ( 2 days)
• Increasingly, organisations are using programming and projects as a means of implementing change and enabling the realisation of business benefits. This makes demands not only on those with overall responsibility for managing these initiatives but also on those working in project teams. This two day training workshop will provide delegates with the skills required to effectively manage a small project or Work Package
  
• • Courses in London

• Principles of Project Management (2 days)
• This project management training event is recommended for people new to Project Management or those who have experience of working on projects and would like to move into Project Management. Delegates will learn a structured approach to planning a project from initial concept through to a risk assessment of the plan and also the importance of project control as a means to contain cost and to remain within timescale
  
• • Courses in Chester & London

• Project Management Essentials (2 days)
• This project management training course will improve attendees’ understanding of the roles of the project manager and key project stakeholders, and the essential requirements for projects to succeed in a multi-functional environment.
  Attendees will understand the benefit of using the project management approach as a management style, encouraging individuals to be proactive and challenging in delivering and maximising benefits to the organisation.
  
• • Courses in Leeds & London

• Fundamentals of Project Management (3 days)
• This project management course gives detailed and practical guidance on how to plan, organise and control projects effectively, with particular emphasis on delivery of results within time, budget and quality constraints. It includes full participation, utilising structured exercises, role-plays, discussions and workshops.
  
• • Courses in Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester & Windsor

• Project Management Techniques (3 days)
• Many business problems involve co-ordinating multiple activities to achieve a specific goal. All such problems can be solved more effectively using project management techniques. This practical project management course will enable delegates to plan and control projects and will ensure they have confidence to apply the techniques when they return to work.
  
• • Courses in Birmingham, Bristol & London

• Project Management for PAs, Administrators and Secretaries (2 days)
• This two day project training course has been designed to provide secretaries, administrators and PAs with the essential knowledge to effectively plan, implement and review projects. In addition, through attending this programme, delegates will be able to gauge their level of communication, time management and problem solving, thus enabling them to refine these key skills.
  
• • Courses in London
    

Check out Focus Guide to Project Management Qualifications

What is Project Management ?

Project management is the most efficient way of introducing change by
o    Defining the objectives
o    Developing the plan
o    Using the appropriate tools
o    Providing a single point of responsibility

Project management is the discipline of combining systems, techniques & people to complete a project within agreed goals of time, budget & quality

Project Management = Planning + Management

Businesses need project management in order to :-

o    React quickly
o    Communicate effectively
o    Control costs and quality
o    Deliver on time


Some Key Principles of Project Management

1- Every Project has Similar Characteristics

o    It has AN OBJECTIVE
o    It usually has a FIXED TIMESCALE
o    It uses SEPARATE RESOURCES – PEOPLE, TIME & MONEY
o    It must be capable of being PLANNED and CONTROLLED
o    It involves a TEAM OF PEOPLE and MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES
o    It has STAKEHOLDERS, SPONSORS & CUSTOMERS
o    There are always CHANGES !


2 - There are three main points that are most important to a successful project:

•    A Project must meet customer requirements.
•    A Project must be under budget.
•    A Project must be on time.

3 -All Projects have the Same Overall Structure

REASON - For example - A problem, new product or a change required

PRE-WORK - Feasibility Study, Report or a Meeting

DEFINITION - The project is given size, shape, strategy and objectives

PLAN - The project is structured in detail

EXECUTE & CONTROL -The project is live and running !

PROJECT CLOSE - Results are reviewed and project closed

Typical Project Stages

1 - Defining the Objectives

• Recognising that the project is required
• Defining goals
• Defining expectations – Customers, management & stakeholders
• Defining the project scope – What it will include
• Defining the team
• Defining rules for authority/communication/etc.

2 - Developing the Plan

• Identify tasks
• List tasks
• Sequence tasks
• Develop a schedule and budget
• Get approval

3 - Executing Actions

• Can start with a kick-off meeting
• Procure the necessary resources
• Lead the team
• Communicate
• Take actions

4 - Controlling

• Monitor deviations from plan
• Take corrective actions
• Evaluate changes & issues
• Fire-fighting

5 - Closing the Project

• Get Acceptance from the customer
• Hand-over the project
• Receive Congratulations
• Shutdown the team
• Review and learn
• Write report and recommendations
• Get Promoted !

Strategic Project Factors

These are key questions which need to be asked in the “Definition” stage so that the project strategy can be defined

• What is the Project Scope ?
• What are the Project Constraints?
• What is Project Profile within the Business ?
• What are the Project Deliverables ?
• Are there sufficient Project Management skills ?
• Are there are any External Dependencies ?
• Have Roles/Responsibilities been identified ?
• Are there Business/Technology Risks
• Have Costs been considered ?
• Is there high-level Management Commitment  ?

Building a Project Plan

Once the project has been defined, your overall plan needs to include
•    A list of tasks, which are linked together
•    Target Dates
•    Costs

The plan will be a definitive document, used by everyone

It may also include

• A detailed budget, split by task
• A Plan to assess & manage Risk
• A Quality Plan
• A Resource Plan

And it needs to be

• Easy to read
• Easy to change
• Easy to distribute

The Project Manager’s Role

To Manage….

• The Benefits & Objectives
• The Schedule (Progress)
• the Finances
• External Suppliers & Sub-Contractors
• Resources
• What might go wrong (Risks)
• What has gone wrong (Issues)
• What’s going to change
• To manage your Team
• To manage your Management, Sponsor & Stakeholders

A good project manager should be able to

• Communicate Effectively
• Make Decisions
• Be a Strong Leader
• Be a Team Player
• Understand the Product
• Focus on the Goals
• Have Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Have Enthusiasm for the Project
• Manage Changes Well
• Be Flexible and Adaptable
• Build Relationships
• Negotiate Strongly
• Put the Customer First

Typical Project Problems

There are many things that can go wrong with project management.

•    Poor Communication
•    Many times a project may fail because the project team does not know exactly what to get done or what's already been done.
•    Disagreement
•    Project must meet all elements in a contract.
•    Customer and project manager must agree on numerous elements.
•    Failure to comply with standards and regulations.
•    Inclement weather.
•    Union strikes.
•    Personality conflicts.
•    Poor management
•    Poorly defined project goals