COURSE 4000 | 2-DAY SESSION
Developing & Implementing Project Management Techniques

---

Course outline

I. What can project management do for me?
Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. Learn why it is so critical to perform this task effectively.

1. PM 101
   
2. PMI and Certification
   

• Process groups
  
• Knowledge areas
  
• PMP
  
• Project management as a business strategy
  

3. The role of the project manager
4. Managing projects in organizations

II. Challenges of Managing Projects
There are many challenges unique to managing projects, including competing technical and business demands, seemingly endless business reengineering and increased responsibility and accountability created through downsizing, outsourcing and increased accountability. What can you do about it?

1. Why do projects fail? Why do they succeed?
   
2. Outsourcing is a reality - but project management is here to stay
   
3. Project management success factors
   
4. Project management and the development life cycle
   

III. Initiating the Project
A good start is integral to the success of any project. Get off on the right foot by aligning with the appropriate strategy and getting buy-in from the right people.

1. Identifying the project
   
2. Project selection criteria
   
3. Aligning projects with business goals
   
4. Stakeholders
   
5. The“people side” of project management
   
6. Requirements
   
7. Objectives
   
8. Deliverables
   
9. The business case
   
10. Scoping
    
11. The Project Charter
    
12. The Scope Statement
    

IV. Project Planning
The actual plan is the essential tool to success; without it you have nothing. Learn to integrate the scope, resource management, risk, quality, cost, procurement, schedule, and communications plan into your day-to-day realities.

1. Task/activity analysis
   
2. Components of the plan
   

• WBS
  
• Schedule
  
• Control plans
  

3. Communicating the plan
4. The Critical Path

V. Estimating Project Costs and Schedules
Even with a good plan, competing demands inevitably pull the project manager in many directions. Arm yourself with tools to make these challenging situations easier.

1. Estimating
   
2. Negotiating
   
3. Planning for quality
   
4. Charts, diagrams and histograms
   
5. Budgeting
   
6. Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis
   
7. Risk assessment and management
   
8. Managing vendors
   
9. Mitigating quality trade-offs
   

VI. Execution - Putting the Plan in Motion
Getting it done is a success. It can be a challenge to work the plan and handle curveballs. Learn to manage your team and the plan to accomplish your goals.

1. The project organization
   
2. Team building
   
3. Leadership and motivation
   
4. Tracking Progress
   
5. Communication
   
6. Quality Assurance
   
7. Dealing with conflict
   

VII. Taking Control of the Project
Changes, challenges and the unexplained inevitably creep into projects. Learn how you can control their effect on your project.

1. Data collection
   
2. Managing and reporting status
   
3. Taking corrective action
   
4. Information distribution
   
5. Earned value management
   
6. Change management
   
7. Quality
   
8. Scope verification
   

VIII. Completing the Project On Time/On Budget
At the end of any job, look back and see what you could do better next time. But - most importantly, celebrate the end of the project.

1. Transition to production
   
2. Customer acceptance strategies
   
3. Contract closeout
   
4. Lessons learned
   
5. Celebrate
   
6. What's next
   

IX. Next Steps to Grow as a Project Manager
So you want to do more...

1. Professional Responsibility
   
2. Careers in project management
   
3. Becoming recognized as a Project Management Professional
   
4. Resources