Project Management Survival Guide™
Introduction
Projects are high risk, high return ventures. They can revolutionise the way organisations operate and project success often leads to praise and promotion. Failure can be expensive and embarrassing. This workshop will help you lessen that risk.
Workshop Overview
This two-day workshop is built around practice, coaching and feedback* . Delegates can also bring real life problems and issues faced in projects.
Workshop Benefits
The Project Management Survival Guide provides:
- A practical step-by-step guide for everyone involved in projects
- A highly interactive and case study driven format
- Emphasis on practical, implementable solutions, not ‘perfect world’ ideas or academic theory.
Workshop Objectives
At this workshop, you will develop your skills in:
- Implementing a stepwise approach to project structuring
- Successful organisation of project teams, using a functional, matrix or task force approach
- Effective use of sponsors and steering groups for decision making
- Proven tools and techniques for effective project planning and scheduling
- Successful project team-building and team co-ordination
- Effective monitoring and control of cost, quality and time on your project
- Recognising and avoiding project pitfalls
- Understanding the role of the Project Manager, and improving its effectiveness
Workshop Outline
Project Management Survival Guide provides practical step-by–step advice for anyone setting up, managing or contributing to a project. The format is highly interactive. There is an emphasis real life case studies, which brings the theory to life.
DAY 1
What is a Project?
- Getting started
- Creating a Successful Project Checklist
- Analysis and Reconnaissance of Projects
- Putting things right before they go wrong
What is Project Management?
- The difference between Operational and Project Management
- Juggling both worlds
The Eight Step Model for Project Success
- A Process model to guide you through the key steps, with recognised tools and techniques
Project Simulation (Role Play)
- A realistic, team-based project, undertaken with a tight deadline and budget
- Client interface, issue resolution and problem solving
- Communication internally and externally
Objective Setting
- Defining SMART objectives
- Recognising Project “Drivers” e.g. Time, Cost and Quality and their trade-off
Defining Project Scope
- Introduction of a proven technique for identifying what’s in and out of scope
- Scoping a real project to practise the technique
- Gaining buy-in and delegating tasks whilst maintaining control
Project Planning and Scheduling
- Proven techniques including Network Analysis, Critical Path Analysis, Scheduling, Resource Planning, Risk Analysis and Contingency Planning.
- Case studies for delegates to feel comfortable with the techniques
- Understanding the role of Project Software and deciphering the reports
- Using the plan to pre-empt and solve problems
DAY 2
Project Strategy and Organisation
- Defining team structure and understanding the pros and cons of Matrix Management, Task Forces and Functionally Organised Projects
- Case study based on a real business case. This examines the issues and how you can pro-actively avoid the common pitfalls
Roles & Responsibilities
- Understanding the responsibility and authority implied by the different roles: Sponsor, Project Manager, Steering Committee etc
- Managing upwards, influencing and using implied authority
Stakeholder Management, Influencing and Politics
- Exploring models to help you understand and deal with the complexity that people bring to the project
- Targeting communications to facilitate buy-in, ownership and accountability
Virtual Team Working (Role Play)
- An exercise and some hints and tips on getting to grips with co-located teams
- How to maximise the impact of your communications
Change Control, Reporting and Measuring Progress
- A systematic, forward-looking approach to change control and reporting that will allow you to save time, be pro-active and avoid conflict
- Early indicators of potential problems and how to counter them
- Effective Meeting Checklist
- Techniques for ensuring the project is delivered on time, on budget and meets the client’s expectations including project close-out and review
Managing Multiple Projects
- Hints and Tips on juggling a number of projects simultaneously and doing your job at the same time
Action Plan and Feedback
- Identifying the hints, tips and techniques you can implement back in the workplace immediately and in the longer term
Who should attend?
The Project Management Survival Guide is applicable to all business sectors and project sizes. Those who will benefit include:
- Project leaders and managers
- Project sponsors and steering groups
- Key project team members
- Project initiators and resource providers
You might also be interested in:
- de Bono's Lateral Thinking™ - Two Day Full Course
- Programme Management Guide™
- Robin Ryde's - Thought Leadership
