Our Project Management
Insight course is
currently only available in New Zealand and Australia.
To find out more about this course, please go to our
Asia Pacific website:
A general overview in how
to create and control smaller projects, based on current best
practices. A case study and practical syndicate exercises
confirm topics learned.
designed for
Project
Managers or team members wanting a general
understanding of the modern tools and techniques
to organise work in a more productive manner.
prerequisites
None,
other than a willingness to participate in group
discussions and syndicate work.
follow on learning
To expand upon the
competences developed, the following should be considered:
This initial section
introduces what Project Management is about. Project
failure and the need for planning is discussed, along with basic
risk assessment. Human issues and roles & communication
are explained, along with the relationships between time, cost
and quality. Expenditure within a project lifecycle is
explained. An exercise creates a project methodology and a
basic test determines initial PM knowledge.
course
content
What is a project?
Why do so many
projects go wrong?
Types of projects
Project Management
methods
Why is there a need
for phases?
Risk assessment of
the project
Human issues
Communication within
the team
Creating a feedback
mechanism
Planning the work
From an initial
understanding, the project can now take shape. Levels of
detail are explained and tasks are defined at appropriate
levels. Hierarchical relationships are defined using a
Work Breakdown Structure approach. How tasks relate to one
another is discussed, along with the amount of effort involved
in accomplishing them. With what & how determined, when
the tasks take place is worked out. Tasks that determine
the project timing are emphasised, along with those with free
time. Who will accomplish the work is added to the project
and schedules created for individuals. Resource conflicts
are discussed and resolved, together with cost implications.
Practical exercises determine Work Breakdown Structures; Network
Diagrams; Critical Path Analysis and basic Resource Levelling.
The delegation of
project tasks
The three project
resources
Defining what to do
Creating a Work
Breakdown Structure
Determining how to
accomplish work
How much work is
involved?
How do jobs relate to
one another
Determining when
things happen
Tasks with spare time
Assigning resources
and costs
Who does what when
Trouble-shooting
resource problems
Resolving resource
problems
Control of project
costs
Controlling work in
progress
With the project planned,
it is essential that it is kept on track. An update cycle
and its frequency are discussed, together with practical
recommendations to ensure its success. Methods of tracking
are explained both for what has happened and how much is left to
do. Effects of the past are reflected in future and
compared to what should have been. Replanning techniques
are discussed. An exercise takes actual progress and
provides for creative opportunities to get back on schedule.
The importance of
control
Determining an update
cycle
Determining when,
what and how to track
The need to update
regularly
Capturing actual and
remaining work
Progress comparisons
against originals
Getting back on track
Staying on track
Reviewing after
progress
This final section
discusses what happens when the main project work is over.
Methods for making it better next time are illustrated, relative
to delegates own project environments. A re-run of the
initial PM test refines skills acquired during the course.
