Essential Project Management Skills

Course Content

What is a Project?

• Defining a project
• What makes project management different from other management?
• Typical different project phases and their deliverables
• The role of the project manager
• The skills of the project manager

Project Strategy

• What we mean by project strategy
• Strategic alternatives
• The importance of setting clear project objectives
• How to prepare a project strategy
• Project economic appraisal
• The secrets of getting your project approval

The role of procurement and contracts in projects

• Developing a project contracts strategy

Managing project human resources

• How to develop a project organisation structure
• How to become a project leader
• How to create highly effectivice project teams
• How to motivate your project team

Project Planning

• The role and purpose of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• How to develop a project WBS
• The role and purpose of network diagrams
• How to draw a project network diagram
• How to identify the project Critical Path (CP)
• How to calculate project float or slack
• Using project float to eliminate resource over allocation
• How to prepare the project Gantt chart

Project cost estimating

• Different classes of cost estimates
• The "bottom up" approach
• The "top down" approach
• The parametric approach

Managing Project Risks

• How to identify project risks
• The project risk plan

Implementing the project

• Measuring and forecasting project progress
• Managing project contracts
• Controlling and forecasting project cost
• The "accounting" cost control and forecasting method
• Forecasting project cost at completion using Earned Value Analysis (EVA)

Post Project Appraisal

• How to judge and measure the success of the project
• Using learning outcomes for future benefit

Training Method

Computer based training and project simulations are used throughout this hands-on course. Use is made of a sample project to allow you to practise the tools and techniques being taught. This has the benefit of re-enforcing learning outcomes and making best use of class time.

Teaching examples have been developed using MS Project. You are encouraged to bring your own laptop PC with MS Project pre-installed.

At the end of the course, you will be able to retain as electronic copy all project examples created during the course. These are designed to be a helpful reference when you return to the workplace.