Managing Your Project

Course duration – 2 days

“Planning for success.”

Business scenario

Project management is increasingly becoming key to the success of new initiatives, contractual agreements and working practices. As more and more individuals are becoming involved with projects those responsible need to understand the effective planning methods and team-skills in order to make them successful.

Who will benefit?

Individuals who are new to the role of project manager and those wanting to understand the processes, procedures and terminology common to most projects. This course will also benefit individuals needing to know the tools available to help them successfully conclude each project.

Course objectives

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

• Appreciate the range of techniques and tools used in planning, organising and controlling projects and have an opportunity to practise them on a micro project i.e. in a ‘risk free’ environment.
• Produce accurate, workable plans giving a detailed breakdown of costs, timescales, tasks and resources.
• Understand the impact of Stakeholders’ expectations on the project.
• Quantify the impact of problems and changes in real terms of resources, time and costs.
• Understand how to keep the project alive and on track through effective project communication skills.
• Understand how a project team functions and how best to manage it.

Course content

What is Meant by Project Management

Defining the key characteristics of a project
Identifying the key skills and qualities of a project manager
Recognising the four key stages of a project

Effective Project Communication

Adopting positive language to present ideas clearly and persuasively
Using influencing skills to gain and maintain commitment
Dealing with difficult issues confidently and constructively
Knowing how to communicate change

Essential Planning for Project Management

Using basic planning tools and techniques
Scheduling using a Gantt chart or network diagram
Creating a work breakdown structure
Predicting risks and adapting to unforeseen circumstances

Teamworking

Influencing teamwork by identifying team roles and preferences
Knowing how to manage a team through formation to performance
Understanding how to motivate others to maintain enthusiasm
Using group work techniques to explore issues and solve problems collectively
Knowing who, what and how to delegate effectively

Course features

This course offers a number of practical exercises to help apply the theory to worked-based cases. Group discussions, questionnaires, video and case studies are used to make this a highly interactive and participative course. The course can be combined with our two day Microsoft Project course to offer a fully comprehensive approach to managing projects and using appropriate planning software.