This highly interactive workshop is designed to give participants a solid foundation in the concepts, tools, and techniques of formal project management. While introductory in nature, this course is extremely comprehensive, covering the five key process groups and 38 core competencies associated with effective and efficient project management practice. Participants not only acquire technique-based proficiencies, but also explore and practice essential people skills and teamwork. The concepts and methods learned are immediately usable in the workplace, leading to a greater retention of newly acquired skills, measurable project improvements, and the achievement of desired project results. PDUs = 24.
Audience:
Those who want to understand basic project management skills and concepts.
Course duration:
3 days
Course outline:
Project Management Concepts
- Project Management in the Enterprise Environment
- Programs
- Projects and Sub-Projects
- Portfolios
- Project Management Offices (PMOs)
- So What is Project Management
- Project Management Activities
- The Project Management Process
- Project Phases
- Project Lifecycle
- Rolling Wave Planning
- What Defines a Successful Project?
- The Project Management Triangle
- Critical Success Factors
- The Project Manager’s Skills and Knowledge
- The Project Manager’s Role
- The Project Participants
- The Project Sponsor
- The Stakeholders
- The Project Team
- The Project Environment
The People Side of Project Management
- The People Side
- The Social Style Model™
- Behavioral Dimensions
- Assertiveness
- Responsiveness
- The Social Style
- Social Style Characteristics
- Social Styles Strengths and Challenges
- Social Style and Backup Behavior
- Versatility
- Working With Others
- Building on Your Strengths
- Classification Ethics
- The Communication Process
- Virtual Communications
Initiating the Project
- Project Initiation
- Defining Need
- Defining Feasibility
- Demonstrating Need and Feasibility
- Project Charter
- Product Description
- Project Stakeholders
- Triangle Flexibility
- Constraints
- Assumptions
- Obtain Project Authorization
Planning the Project
- Why Do You Plan
- Developing the Project Management Plan
- Components of the Project Management Plan
- Project Scope
- Project Scope Statement
- Project Objectives
- Project Deliverables
- Exclusions
- Project Requirements
- Approach
- Planning Purchases and Acquisitions
- Planning Contracts
- Characteristics of an Effective Project Plan
- The Investment of Planning
Decomposition Using a Work Breakdown Structure
- Project Decomposition
- Benefits of Decomposition
- Decomposition Using a Work Breakdown Structure
- Benefits of the Work Breakdown Structure
- WBS Hierarchy
- WBS Format
- Work Package
- Activity Definition
- Activities and Tasks
- WBS Template
- WBS Graphic Conventions
- WBS Diagramming Rules
- Demonstration: WBS
- WBS List Conventions
- Other WBS Considerations
- Skills Matrix
Estimating
- Estimating Accuracy
- Effort, Duration, and Cost
- Effort vs. Duration
- Methods for Estimating Effort
- Weighted Average
- Expert Judgment, Delphi, and Parametric Estimating
- Comparative and Function Point Estimating
- Estimating Variables
- Estimating Cost
- Cost Budgeting
- Cost Budgeting Methods
- Spend Plan Worksheet
Sequence and Scheduling
- Sequencing and Scheduling
- Determining Sequence and Schedule
- The Network Diagram
- Diagramming Network Activity
- Precedence Diagramming
- Arrow Diagramming
- Dependencies
- Milestones
- Establishing the Network Diagram
- Precedence Logic
- Estimating Resources
- Estimating Duration
- Lag Time
- Lead Time
- Apply the Calendar
- Network Terms
- Critical Path
- Determine the Critical Path — Forward Pass
- Calculating Float — Backward Pass
- Gantt and Bar Charts
- Time/Cost Target
Organizing and Acquiring Staff
- Human Resource Planning
- Acquire the Project Team
- Responsibility Assignment Matrix
- Constraints
- Resource Histograms
- Resource Leveling
- Develop the Project Team
- Team Web Site
Control Plans
- Planning for Control
- Quality Management Plan
- Quality Planning
- Quality Assurance
- Quality Control
- Communications Management Plan
- Developing the Communication Plan
- Change Control
- Reasons for Change
- A Typical Change Control Procedure
Risk Management
- Risk Management
- What is Risk
- Elements of Risk Management
- Risk Management Planning
- Risk Identification
- Qualitative Risk Analysis
- Quantitative Risk Analysis
- Risk Response Planning
- The Risk Response Register
- Contingencies and Reserves
- Risk Management Method
- Risk Management Worksheet
Executing the Project
- Project Execution
- Guidelines for Executing a Project Phase
- Tools and Techniques for Executing the Project Plan
- Project Kickoff
- Work Results
- Tracking Progress via Status Reports
- Assessing Project Status via Status Meetings
- Monitoring Project Risk During Execution
- Pitfalls of Project Execution
Monitoring and Controlling the Project
- Project Control
- Key Control Activities
- Prerequisites for Effective Monitoring and Control
- Performance Monitoring and Reporting
- Performance Reports
- Current State Report
- Original Baseline Report
- Trend Report
- Narrative Overview Report
- Trend Analysis
- Interpreting Trends
- Questions to Ask Yourself
- Taking Corrective Action
- Tracking and Logging Changes
- Guidelines for Monitoring and Controlling a Project Phase
- Pitfalls to Project Control
Closing the Project
- Closing
- Administrative Closure Activities
Summary and Conclusion
