ISEB Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management

The Foundation Certificate in IT Project Management was released by the BCS Information Systems Examinations Board in 2004, after continuing growing demand for qualifications in this field.

The Foundation Certificate is designed for anyone involved in or affected by IT projects: this extends to users, buyers and directors. Delegates will learn the principles of project management, including planning, monitoring and control, change management, risk management and communication between all involved. No prior experience of project work is required.

Who Should Attend
Anyone who needs to understand the application of a sound project management approach. It is particularly aimed at, new project managers, staff involved in information systems and service management and support staff who wish to take the ISEB Foundation Certificate in IT Project Management examination

Pre-requisites
There are no formal entry requirements for the course or examination, but it is assumed that all delegates will have a basic knowledge of IT.

COURSE TOPICS

INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The definition of projects
The purpose of project planning and control
Programmes and projects

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
Types of planning documents

PROJECT BUSINESS CASE AND TOR
Purpose and content of business case

PROJECT LIFECYCLES
System and Project development life-cycles
Variations of project life cycles
Implementation strategies
Post implementation review

Project Organisation
Identifying stakeholders and their concerns
Roles and responsibilities in the project.
The project team and matrix management
Reporting structures and responsibilities

PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS AND TEAMWORK
TManagement styles and communication
Team building and team dynamics
The reporting cycle and structures
Corrective action, Tolerance and contingency

QUALITY AND QUALITY CONTROL
Definitions of the term ‘quality’
Quality control versus quality assurance
Detection of defects and removal processes
Types of testing, inspection process, reviews
Principles of IS0 9001:2000
Supplier evaluation

PROJECT PLANNING
Project deliverables and intermediate products
Work and product breakdowns
Product definitions
Relationship between products and activities
Check points and milestones
Lapsed time and effort required for activities
Activity networks
Critical Path Analysis
Resource allocation
Work schedules and Gantt charts

ESTIMATING
Effort versus duration
Use of expert judgement and Delphi
Top-down and Bottom-up estimating
Identification of size drivers and productivity.
Estimation of effort.
Use of analogy in estimating

RISK
Definition of the term ‘risk’
Identification and prioritisation of risk
Assessment of risk exposure
Risk responses and actions
Assessment of risk reduction activities
Maintenance of risk registers and risk logs

MONITORING AND CONTROL
The project control life cycle Information collection
Team progress meetings
Presenting progress information
Use of earned value analysis

CHANGE CONTROL AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT
Exception reports and plans
Reasons for change and configuration management
Change control procedures and boards
Configuration management Purpose and procedures