Strategies and Skills for Effective Project Management

Introduction:

The Strategies and Skills for Effective Project Management course is tailored for experienced project managers seeking to enhance their skills and leverage advanced techniques in project and program management. The course integrates robust project management principles within organizational practices and emphasizes the crucial role of senior management in embedding these practices to ensure successful project delivery. Participants will explore advanced project scope management, stakeholder engagement, and cutting-edge tools and technologies to improve project outcomes. The course covers modern approaches to project planning, estimation, and scheduling, utilizing techniques such as queuing theory and the Theory of Constraints (Critical Chain Project Management) for creating effective and realistic project plans. Additionally, the course provides in-depth training on program-level risk and uncertainty analysis, including advanced modeling techniques for risk identification and measurement.

Objectives:

By the end of this Strategies and Skills for Effective Project Management, participants will be able to:

• Enhance project management practices throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor projects using objective parametric estimates rather than conjectures.
• Manage complex vendor relationships effectively.
• Assess time and cost efficiency for challenging projects.
• Implement advanced techniques to reduce cost and schedule risks.
• Provide reliable progress reports for complex and risky projects.
• Revise communication strategies and optimize stakeholder involvement.
• Master essential project management tools and techniques.
• Communicate project progress and needs effectively at all organizational levels.
• Set clear project goals and manage task delegation efficiently.
• Apply advanced planning methods and tools for project control.
• Develop skills in risk management, contingency planning, and change control.
• Adjust project objectives and tasks effectively.

Training Methodology:

• Case Studies
• Socio-Dramas
• Interactive Modules
• Focus Groups
• Simulation Games
• Expert Round Tables

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction to Project Management

• Alignment of objectives with project needs
• Definition and concept of projects and project management
• Overview of Project Delivery Methods
• Lifecycle Models

Unit 2: Project Evaluation and Stakeholder Identification

• Qualitative and quantitative methods for project evaluation
• Economic evaluation criteria for project alternatives
• Qualities of an effective project manager
• Assessment of project objectives and stakeholders
• Managing stakeholder expectations and requirements

Unit 3: Advanced Planning Techniques

• Task characteristics and duration estimation techniques
• Planning and scheduling methods
• Comparison of critical path scheduling and critical chain scheduling
• Resource allocation techniques
• Time-cost tradeoff and lead/lag schedules

Unit 4: Proactive Project Risk Management

• Understanding risk and uncertainty
• Risk behavior and analysis
• Risk mapping and evaluation
• Subjective aspects of risk and risk strategies

Unit 5: Effective Execution of Projects

• Lean construction principles
• Staff acquisition and team motivation
• Management versus leadership
• Conflict management and management styles

Unit 6: Monitoring, Controlling, and Project Closure

• Earned value management
• Planning risk strategy implementation
• Project closure approaches and lessons learned