Project Management - Understanding Project Management

Specific learning objectives will include:

• Understand what is meant by a project.
• Recognize what steps must be taken to complete projects on time and on budget.
• Sell ideas and make presentations.
• Use simple techniques and tools for planning and tracking a project.
• Use methods for keeping the team focused and motivated.

Introduction and Course Overview

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

What is a Project?

To start, participants will learn ways in which projects differ from other kinds of work and what a project is and isn’t.

Project Management Basics

Next, participants will learn what is meant by project management and what project management involves.

Pre-Assignment Review

In this session, participants will prepare to answer the questions they will cover in their presentations at the end of the workshop. In addition, students will learn about eight categories to consider when preparing a project.

How Can Projects Help Me?

Next, students will learn how projects can benefit not only their company, but also their own careers and professional development.

A Project’s Life Cycle

Then, participants will learn about the four phases of a project’s life cycle. They will also explore what needs to happen during each phase in order to keep a project going, learn about project milestones, and look at why some projects fail.

Selling a Project

In this session, students will learn how to present their projects in order to obtain the support necessary for its success. They will also learn how to evaluate and prioritize their ideas using priority matrices.

Preparing Your Project

Then, students will learn how to promote their project to the management team. They will also learn the best ways to approach management and obtain support for their project.

The Role of a Project Manager

In this session, participants will consider what it means to be a project manager. They will also have the opportunity to fill out a sample proposal form.

Project Goals

Next, participants will learn how to write clear project goals using the SPIRIT model. They will also learn what criteria need to be considered for project-specific goals.

Laying Out the Project

In this session, students will learn how to plan their project, including how to write the Statement of Work, complete a Project Planning form, and write concise and clear reports.

Project Risks

Participants will learn about the different kinds of risks their projects face and how they can be reduced. They will also learn about what constraints are and how they differ from risks.

Contingency Planning

Then, students will look at contingency planning. They will learn the components of a contingency plan and consider what contingency plans their personal projects will require.