Project Management: Small Projects (2 day)

Audience

This seminar is designed for:

• Project managers/ leaders
• Sub-project team leaders/ project engineers
• Project co-ordinators and planners
• Programme managers
• Project specialists and support staff
• Contract managers
• Line and resource managers

...and for those preparing to take up these roles.

Previous delegates of this seminar have come from many different companies and a variety of industries. They do not necessarily have a formal project management backgound and their companies tend not to have a 'heavy' systems approach.

Skills Gained

This seminar will help you:

• Understand the basics of a project approach
• Learn some easy to apply techniques
• Define realistic objectives
• Ensure adequate project planning and control
• Find out how to get from A to B effectively with minimum bureaucracy and maximum efficiency
• Improve your ability to manage multiple projects
• Understand the importance of project leadership and teamwork

Above all, this programme will demonstrate the key requirements for successful project management and explain how you can master them.

Course Outline

DAY ONE

Project management and the smaller project

• What is a smaller project?
• The lifecycle of a smaller project
• The problems of managing multiple projects
• Key success factors
• Applying prevention management methods to the smaller project
• Challenges faced by the project manager

Project definition

• Defining and agreeing realistic objectives
• Determining appropriate performance levels
• Project documentation: procedures that work without being cumbersome
• Getting commitment to the programme
• The role of the project manager at project start-up
• Managing the project/customer interface

Project execution - planning

• Classic causes of planning failure
• The nature and correct use of planning
• Analysing the scope of the job; developing a work breakdown structure
• Estimating timescales and costs - key success factors for smaller projects
• Choosing an appropriate planning format
• Critical path analysis - use and benefits

Project execution - controlling

• Key elements of a control system
• The problem of moving goal posts...controlling changes
• Methods for monitoring progress
• Defining roles and responsibilities: managing the 'boundaries'
• Case study: analysis and discussion

DAY TWO

Managing a multi-project portfolio

• Understanding the world of multiple projects, portfolios and programmes
• The challenges of multi-project management
• Establishing ownership of project/programme management
• Co-ordinating the portfolio/ programme: the project office function
• Classifying projects and creating the 'master' schedule
• Defining and applying project lifecycle management
• Resource management: essential pre-requisites and mechanisms
• Project prioritisation criteria techniques: pain/gain analysis
• Building a flexible, responsive culture: behaviours to reward

Managing multi-project teams

• Characteristics of small project teams/ part time team membership
• Clarifying line and project management responsibilities
• Implementing the approriate level or organisation
• Implementing effective manpower planning
• Controlling the workload: managing change
• Establishing professional working practices in the team
• Developing project management competencies in the team
• Establishing team roles and integrating team members

Leading multi-project teams

• The difference between management and leadership
• Turning a workgroup into a team: the crucial role of the leader
• Unlocking key personal resources for effective leadership
• Developing a 'compelling vision': motivating the team
• Six steps to a successful team: accelerating team performance
• Communication and delegation - do' s and don'ts
• Dealing with 'people issues': resolving conflict and developing team spirit
• Team dynamics - creating a winning culture

Getting the best from external resources

• Acquiring the right resoures for the job: supplier validation and selection
• Aligning project strategy and procurement policy; doing what's best for the business
• Defining the 'terms and conditions': key contractual issues for the smaller project
• Paying for the work done: fixed price v. fee based - pros and cons
• Identifying and managing contract risks: deciding who should carry the risks
• Dealing with contract variations: tracking contract costs
• Managing supplier performance: getting value for money
• Ensuring conformance to safe working practices

Project Management: Small Projects (2 day) / PMSP2B