Duration: 5 Days
Overview:
Project management is the art of matching a project's goals, tasks and resources to accomplish a goal as needed. We say "as needed" because one has limited time, money, and resources (human and machinery) with which to accomplish a goal. Time, money and management being the essence of an organisation this course will broaden those skills to implement and manage projects effectively.
Course Outline:
Module 1: Introduction to projects
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Describe the importance of project management in modern society
- Describe the importance of projects in organisations
- Describe the importance of projects in executing strategies
- Explain the multi-disciplinary nature of projects
- Describe the following terms: project, program, project management and stakeholder
- Explain the difference between operations and project management
Module 2: The need for projects in modern organisations
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Describe the factors that drive the need for projects in modern organisations
- Describe the benefits of adopting a project management approach in organisations
- Identify the general factors that contribute to the failure of project
Module 3: The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Describe the aim of the PMBOK
- Outline the knowledge areas of the PMBOK
- Describe the project management process groups
- Motivate the need and value of a project life cycle
- Identify the difference between a project and product life cycle
- Identify the difference between project management and general management process groups
Module 4: Project identification
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Describe where projects typically originate in organisations
- Define a project in terms of the project input, output and activities classification system
- Outline the elements of a typical business case
- Outline the elements of a typical feasibility study
- Draft a project charter or Scope of Work Statement (SOW)
- Know who is typically responsible for drafting the project charter/SOW
- Explain the rationale and use of the following project selection techniques:
- Benefit/cost ratio, Payback period, Return on investment, Net present value (NPV), Internal rate of return (IRR), Stage gate approach, Peer review, “Murder board”, Portfolio analysis
Module 5: Project and team leadership
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Distinguish between leadership and management
- Explain how the PMBOK addresses the issue of management and leadership in a project context
- Describe the core competencies of a project manager/leader
- Describe the importance of influence and relationships for effective project leadership
- Explain the fundamentals of influencing people
- Describe the tactics that can be employed to
- Get people to follow through on commitments
- Get people to take action
- Obtain and give meaningful feedback
Module 6: Project scoping, planning and scheduling
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Recall the principles for sound planning
- Recall the core elements of a project launch meeting
- Compile a Work Breakdown Structure
- Sequence a basic set of activities
- Use a schedule bar chart to graphically represent a sequence of activities
- Explain the elements and rationale of the critical path
Module 7: Management control in projects
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to describe the following:
- The critical factors for managing the overall health of a project
- The nature and relevance of: Scope management, Procurement and the procurement cycle
- Resource allocation (with specific reference to resource levelling)
- Managing earned value
Module 8: Project account
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to:
- Develop a basic cash flow statement
- Recall and write explanatory notes about the rationale and use of the S-Curve- thus understanding EVA principles
Module 9: Project evaluation
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to describe the following:
- The purpose of project evaluation
- The role and function of project auditing
- The construction and use of the audit report
- The responsibilities of the project auditor
Module 10: Project termination
Module learning outcomes - After completion of this module the learner should be able to describe the following:
- The typical ways to terminate a project
- The ideal time to terminate a project
- The process of project termination
