Course Overview
This course introduces the key concepts of managing projects. The following topics are covered
using practical examples from a broad range of project environments as well as particulars from
the attendee's own environment:
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Project Management Concepts: In this module the attendee will be introduced to general
concepts including the definition of projects and project management. The attendee will learn
the identifying criteria of projects and the differences between project and operations
management. The relationship between the constraints of cost, quality, time and scope is
introduced.
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The Project Management Process: The attendee will be introduced to a generic project
management process (the phases of planning, execution and control and closeout) and the
concept of project life cycles.
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Project Planning: The attendee is introduced to the steps of project planning as well as the
components of a project plan. Quality management is introduced and a risk management
process is defined.
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The Project Problem - defining the project: The project problem is assessed and defined
leading to the development of a project vision and mission. Based on the defined project
mission, the project goals and objectives are defined. The project scope statement is derived.
The attendee will apply the risk management process to assess the project risks and prepare a
risk management plan.
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The Work Breakdown Structure - planning the project activities: The attendee is exposed to a
process for developing a work breakdown structure and methods for estimating time, cost and
resource requirements are introduced.
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The Project Schedule - scheduling the work: Once the scope of project is defined and the work
breakdown structure identified, the attendee is introduced to the process of scheduling the
work. The scheduling tools of network diagrams and bar charts and their associated terms and
definitions are introduced. The attendee is taught how to construct an arrow diagram from a
work breakdown structure. Network rules and scheduling computations (forward and backward
pass) are presented and the attendee applies these to realistic examples to determine critical
path activities. Practical guidance is given to highlight how the network diagrams and bar
charts are used to manage a project effectively. Having created the project schedule, the
attendee is shown how to assign and balance project resources.
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Project Execution and Control: The characteristics of project control systems are presented
along with guidelines on appropriate project progress assessment and reporting tools and
techniques. Emphasis is placed on the positive contribution of measurement in a process
improvement environment through appropriate process reviews. The attendee is shown how to
measure progress by performing Earned Value Analysis and analysing spending curves.
General guidelines are provided as to appropriate project management responses to identified
variances.
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The Project Team - managing the people: The attendee made familiar with the dynamics of
managing a team in a project environment, how the team is recruited or assembled and how
the team is built to deliver efficient and effective results. Aspects of change management,
conflict management and effective criticism are introduced to provide the attendee with the
skills to manage a project team.
Audience
This course is targeted at individuals that may need background knowledge of project management.
Prerequisites
It would be beneficial for the attendees to have worked in a project management environment.
Expected outcomes
The attendees will have a working knowledge of how to structure and launch projects as well as
manage a project from conception to completion.
Duration
5 days
