This training course is designed to equip those involved in project delivery with the essential skills needed to fulfil their responsibilities in a professional way. The concepts, methods, and techniques presented are both well established and proven to provide project teams with the essential knowledge, skills, and toolkits necessary to ensure successful project outcomes.

Who should attend? 

• Project Managers and Directors
• Project Professionals, including anyone responsible carrying out project assignments
• Project Administrators, Supervisors, and Support Staff
• Project Owners and Clients
• Project Contractors and Suppliers

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completion of the programme, delegates will be able to:

• The key project management skills needed to maximise project performance.
• The responsibilities of project sponsors, project managers, line managers and specialists.
• Methods for identifying, engaging, and managing project stakeholders.
• Techniques for establishing the full scope of the project and prioritising deliverables.
• How to create realistic plans, pro-actively manage risks and exploit opportunities.
• The use of tools and techniques for tracking and managing project performance.
• The leadership and teamwork skills needed to promote collaboration throughout the project.
• Apply a professional, systematic approach to manage projects and project activities.
• Define the project scope, establish realistic objectives, and identify the relevant deliverables.
• Produce realistic project plans, determine the critical path, and manage project risks
• Mobilise resources, accurately monitor project performance, and maintain control of the project.
• Recognise team dynamics within the project, play to strengths and manage weaknesses.

Reviewing the Fundamentals

• Understanding projects: Differences between large/small and simple/complex projects
• The 'project life cycle' and the role of project management
• Current trends in project management: Project management associations and qualifications
• Project performance measurement: Understanding why some projects succeed and others don’t
• A framework for building project success: Improving project management performance
• The different project roles, responsibilities, and boundaries: RACI Charts
• Key financial concepts: Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, and Payback Periods

Initiating and Defining Projects

• Initiating projects: Project context and environment
• Setting realistic objectives: Defining project scope and deliverables
• Managing expectations and agreeing priorities: Ensuring value for money
• Developing a work breakdown structure: Defining roles and specifying work packages
• Developing a cost breakdown structure: Techniques for making preliminary estimates of time and cost
• Using appropriate project planning methods: Applying a structured approach
• Initiating risk management: Using qualitative risk analysis techniques

Planning Projects for Results

• Building a realistic project plan: Using Gantt charts and activity networks
• Using the plan to develop detailed task and resource schedules
• Identifying the critical path and setting milestones: Getting buy-in from the key players
• Techniques for developing detailed estimates for time and cost: Managing estimating uncertainty
• Minimising project timescales: Exploring time-cost options and understanding trade-offs
• Managing project risks: Qualitative and quantitative risk management methods and techniques
• The importance of continuous planning: Maintaining and updating plans and risk registers

Organising, Implementing, and Controlling Projects

• Handling the changes and challenges that affect projects
• Running effective change control processes
• Project performance tracking, management, and control systems
• Pro-active and re-active control: Measures that give early warning
• Using predictive control techniques: Gantt charts, burn-down charts, and earned value methods
• Managing project communication and decision making: Running effective meetings
• Exploiting information management technology: Managing project documentation

Project Leadership and Team-Working

• Working in project teams: Building collaborative working relationships
• Understanding leadership and management: Qualities and skills that enhance results
• The role of the leader in building team cohesion and performance: The team development cycle
• The keys to effective influence and persuasion: Characteristics of successful leaders
• Improving communication, delegation, and motivation skills
• Working with senior stakeholders: Creating rapport and understanding, managing expectations
• Lean concepts and the learning cycle: Implementing continuous improvement