Achieving Successful Project Outcomes

Overview
Success in project management requires a combination of best practice in the use of methods and tools, combined with the personal and interpersonal skills to lead projects to successful outcomes. This course focuses on what it takes to be a successful Project manager, exploring both the tools and the multi-skills needed to deliver projects in today's dynamic environment.

Who Should Attend?
The course is suitable for both experienced project managers, and people who manage projects but have had little formal training.
The workshop involves a high degree of participation and includes an extensive simulated project exercise, to explore the practical application of tools and techniques.


Course Objectives

Tools and techniques will be drawn from professional project management practice, which will include reference to internationally recognised PMI project management methods, tools and standards.
You will learn:

• The 10 Core competencies for successful project management
• Establishing clear project foundations
• The effective use of project management tools in the planning and execution of projects
• Managing stakeholder expectations and relationships
• Solving project risks and issues in a dynamic project environment
• Applying techniques for handling change and pressure
• Flexibility and focus in the face of change
• Influencing for successful project outcomes
• Leading cross-functional project teams
  

Focus

The challenge of project management

• Project Management to achieve business objectives
• The role of the project manager
• Key project success factors and challenges
• The 10 Key competencies for successful project management

The Project Lifecycle and Roadmap

• Using a clear framework for project inception, planning, execution and close
• The use of methods and guidelines
• Project Phases and Gate reviews
• Applying the right Framework for your project environment

Project Evolution and Definition

• Establishing clear project objectives
• Scoping the project boundaries - responsibilities and dependencies
• Devising the project strategy
• Developing the project proposal and executive summary

Stakeholders and the project team

• Analysing the stakeholder environment
• Stakeholder roles and responsibilities
• Establishing the core team
• Planning stakeholder communications
• Working with internal and external customers

Risk and issue management

• Assessing and reducing project risk
• Handling uncertainty
• Developing effective project contingencies
• Communicating project risks
• Evaluating and controlling risks and issues throughout the project life cycle
• Handling crisis in the project

Requirements, expectations and change

• Understanding requirements and expectations
• Achieving a sound baseline
• Handling change in requirements and expectations

Project Planning and Organisation

• Developing comprehensive plans
• Applying planning tools in the real world
• Striking the right balance - How much planning is necessary?
• Key estimation techniques
• Realism in planning
• Deliverables and Milestones
• Team based planning

Project Execution and Close

• Actioning the plan
• Resource assignments
• Maintaining progress and momentum
• Techniques for handling schedule slippage, and overspend
• Solving the typical project problems
• Project reportingProject close and evaluation

Personal Effectiveness in Project Management

• The 10 Actors - the essential toolkit for project effectiveness
• Handling multiple responsibilities and a diverse workload
• Being effective in the face of multiple pressures
• Managing yourself to better manage the project

Leading the project team

• Leadership in the project environment
• Leadership qualities for project managers
• Motivating the team for results
• Giving clarity and direction and creating a collaborative environment.
• Team building and working with virtual or "part time" project teams

Communication and relationship management

• Building effective and sustaining relationships with key players
• Influencing skills for successful outcomes
• Handling conflict: Diplomacy and persuasion