Providing Administrative Support for Projects

Understanding Project Management

• What is a project?
• The project manager - role and responsibilities
• Understanding the objectives and scope of a project
• Roles and responsibilities of team members
• Providing administrative support to projects - the essential skills and qualities required
• How the Project Support Office has evolved.
• The role of the Project Support Office
• Building a positive working relationship with the project manager

Project Management Tools

• How to interpret project plans and documentation - what information do you need?
• Identifying the key deadlines, resource requirements and quality issues
• Setting up processes for managing and monitoring project progress
• Resource and task scheduling
• Helping to monitor project costs and performance against the plans
• Key documentation to help keep projects on track and team members informed

Coordinating Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

• Preparing effectively for meetings - working with the chairperson and setting the agenda
• Your role and responsibilities in the meeting
• Knowing what information to record - asking for clarification

Information Technology in Projects

• How IT can provide assistance in the administration of projects
• Visual and graphic information

Communicating Effectively in a Project Environment

• The barriers to effective communication in projects
• Your central communication role as the project administrator - keeping everybody informed
• Listening and questioning techniques

Assertive, Confident and Persuasive Communication

• Having the right to disagree - developing your assertiveness skills
• Dealing with difficult people
• Making and dealing with difficult requests
• Developing a persuasive communication style
• Gaining support and commitment from others

Personal Development

• Formulating a personal action plan