Introduction to Project Management

Purpose

Build capacity and capability to effectively Manage Projects.

Course Objectives

• Promote a greater understanding of the key components of Project Management

• Build and transfer ability, skills and techniques (competence) to manage projects

• Enhance capacity to successfully manage projects

Critical Outcomes / Benifits

• A thorough and consistent understanding of the key components of project management.

• Ability, skills and techniques (competence) to manage projects, with particular emphasis on having an overall responsibility for the project

• Projects with realistic objectives being delivered on time and to the budget

Competencies Developed

Knowledge gained

• Definition of projects and project management

• The PRINCE 2 project management methodology

Skills developed

• Setting realistic objectives

• Scoping a project

• Risk Management

• Establishing the Project Organisation

• Project Planning Techniques

• Monitoring and Controlling

• Project Appraisal

• Quality Control

• Change Control

Principles and Values Promoted

• Disciplined management with a focus on delivery of results

• Team working, empowerment

• Transparency and realism

Training and Development Methology

• Presentation / Lecture

• Facilitated Discussions

• Individual and Group Work

• Case Studies

• Practical Exercises

Assessment Process

• Peer review and feedback

• Action planning by participants

• Follow up visits
  

Assessment Criteria

A demonstrated ability to:

• Establish objectives, scope a project, design an organizational structure, plan and control

Target Group

• Managers and line functionaries appointed as project managers or project planners or personnel earmarked to undertake the project management role(s).

Footnote: There is also a five day Project Manager’s course which covers similar ground but from a different perspective. The Project Manager’s course is designed for those producing the plans and managing the projects in a day-to-day context. The Project Director’s course is designed for those with overall responsibility / ownership of the project and resources being deployed. The directors are sometimes referred to as Project Board members or Project Sponsors.

Duration

Three days

Programme

Day I

Introduction to Projects and Project Management

• Plenary Exercise – What is a project?

• Difference between projects and ongoing work

• Buzz group exercise – Why do projects fail? (Cause not effect)

• Project Lifecycle

• Projects versus Programmes

• When/where to use projects

• Essential components of Project Management

PRINCE & other Methodologies

Objectives

• Getting started

  • Starting a project

• The PID (Project Initiation Document)

Risk Management

• Identifying and Managing Risk

  • Identification, Probability, Impact, Countermeasures, Contingencies and responsibility
    

Organisation

• Project Organisation and Staffing

  • Getting the right project management structure

  • Directing, Managing, Supporting and Assuring

  • Team Working

  • Stakeholders / Consultation – How / Who

Day 2

Planning

• Planning Principles

  • Why plan

  • Levels and types of plan

Planning - Product Based Planning

• Product Breakdown Structures

• Product Description

• Product Flow Diagrams (PFD)

Planning - Critical Path Analysis (CPA)

• Brief input on dependency networks

• Critical Path Analysis (CPA) and Estimating

• Technical Plan

• Project Stages (Phases)

Day 3

Controls

• Management Controls

• Project Appraisal: The full Business Case

• Control

• Quality Management

• Quality Review Technique

Procurement

• Procurement and sub-contractors relationships

• Plenary feedback

• Action Planning