- Define the terms project and project management
- Identify benefits of projects
- Identify the phases of a project’s life cycle
- Prioritize projects
- Begin conceptualizing their project, including goals and vision statements
- Use a target chart and other planning tools
- Complete a Statement of Work
Defining Projects and Project Management
We will look at what a project is and what project management means. We will also look at some of the key players in a project team.
The Role of a Project Manager
This session will examine some of the key skills that a project manager needs. We will also look at developing a proposal.
How Can Projects Help Me?
Often, people see projects as just more work to do. However, if managed properly, projects can provide tremendous growth and satisfaction for all those involved. We will look at some of the benefits and challenges of projects in a lecture and a case study.
A Project’s Life Cycle
This session will explore the four major phases of a project. Participants will complete a mix-and-match exercise to reinforce the concept.
Project Goals
This session will discuss the six key parts to a project goal. Then, participants will write some goals for a project they are working on.
Using a Target Chart
A target chart can help you identify the biggest priorities in your project and help you see how to achieve your goals. This session will explore how to create and use a target chart.
Laying out the Project
Now that we have a good idea of what our project will entail, we can create the charter and statement of work. We will also look at using a project planning worksheet.
Additional Objectives:
- Identify their project’s tasks and resources
- Order tasks using the Work Breakdown Structure
- Schedule tasks effectively
- Use basic planning tools such as a Gantt chart, PERT diagram, and network diagram
- Prepare a project budget
- Modify the project budget and schedule to meet targets
- Identify and manage risks
- Prepare a final project plan
- Execute and terminate a project
- Develop and manage a change control process
What Really Needs To Be Done?
This session will look at identifying and listing tasks and resources.
The Work Breakdown Structure
The Work Breakdown Structure, or WBS, is a key planning tool universally recognized by project management organizations. During this session, we will discuss what a WBS is and how to create one.
Scheduling
Now that we know what tasks need to be done and the approximate order, it is time to schedule the tasks. We will look at how to estimate time and some scheduling considerations during this session. We will also look at some planning tools, including the Gantt chart, milestone charts, and action planning worksheets.
Budgeting
The next step in planning the project is budgeting. Participants will learn about budgeting through a lecture, and then they will apply the knowledge to a case study.
Project Risks
This session will examine what risks are and how we can identify and manage them.
Preparing the Final Plan
All of the planning that we have done today will come together to create the final project plan.
Making it Fit
So you’ve got all your documents prepared and you’re ready to execute your project. And then you find out you need to get it done two weeks sooner… or $40,000 cheaper. During this session, we will look at ways to compress the project’s schedule and budget.
The Execution Phase
This session will look at some things you should do while executing your project, including status meetings and issues management.
Controlling Changes
During the execution of the project, you need to have a process in place for managing changes. This session will outline a change control process that you can use on any project.
Closing out a Project
During this session, we will discuss some things that should take place during the termination or close-out phase of a project.
Duration
This course is delivered over the equivalent of two facilitator-led training days and guided self-study.