Project Management for Line Managers

Course overview

Why choose Project Management for Line Managers distance learning course?

Too many projects across all industries fail to produce the commercial returns that are expected.

Project management is a well-established doctrine (Time, Quality, Budget) supported by many tools and techniques. The art is to know when and how to use the tools at your disposal – both systems and personnel. This 8 module distance learning course distils years of project management experience and knowledge into a compact example and exercise-filled course. It details a comprehensive 'route-map' to the successful completion of a project from conception to completion.

No one in charge of a project today can afford to be ignorant of the processes, systems, risks and team management issues needed for a successful project outcome.

How does this distance learning programme work and what do you get?

• Eight modules, each requiring between 3 to 4 hours study to be completed as you choose
• The course and its modules start at any time to suit you
• Modules may be downloaded to study on your PC or to print hard copies. (You may also opt to receive them printed-and-bound from us.)
• Each module has self-assessment progress questions and model answers
• The course has an optional on-line multiple choice assessment at the end, with a certificate of completion being awarded

Who should enrol on this course?

• Project managers
• Project engineers
• Commercial and contract managers
• Sales and marketing managers
• Operations managers
• Technical managers

And all executives who are designated a manager of a project

For individuals
Make yourself invaluable to your current employers, strengthen your skills and safeguard your career and prospects.

For companies
Ensure that your key staff are developed to reach their full potential and can manage projects profitably for you.

This course will:

• ENHANCE your personal portfolio of project management skills
• ENSURE your projects are Timely, of Quality and to Budget (TQB)
• DETAIL the planning techniques to avoid unnecessary delays and errors in the future
• OUTLINE effective systems which need to be in place to monitor and control a successful project
• EXPAND your knowledge of project risk management to identify, mitigate and avoid the principle risks in your project
• DISTIL years of experience of proven successful project management from an expert practitioner

Course modules

MODULE 1 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

• What is a project? Agreeing a definition
• Key features of a project
• Distinguishing projects, programmes and work streams
• Why projects fail
• What's the 'driver' for the project? An introduction to PESTLE analysis
• Developing a business case (costs v opportunities and benefits)
• Gaining initial approval

MODULE 2 – INTIAL STAGES OF A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT

• Overview of stages
• Define project objectives (SMART)
• Define project scope – what's included and excluded
• Establish terms of reference
• Gain project approval to proceed
• How well equipped are you to deliver this project? (Introduction to SWOT analysis)
• Identifying your stakeholders
• Prioritise your stakeholders
• Producing a communication plan

MODULE 3 – THE POWER OF PLANNING

• What is a plan? Identifying the benefits of planning
• How to produce a plan – the essential ingredients
• Drawing up a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Developing Gantt (Bar) Charts
• Benefits and drawbacks of Gantt Charts
• Introduction to precedence networks
• How to identify your project's critical path
• Getting your project back on track

MODULE 4 – HOW TO SET UP YOUR CORE PROJECT TEAM

• Who's who on the project management team
• The senior responsible owner – roles and responsibilities
• Identifying a senior supplier and senior user
• Roles and responsibilities of the Project Board
• Appointing the Project Manager – essential qualities and attributes of a project manager
• Effective project management style – factors and influences
• How you can improve your performance as a project team leader
• 'Balancing task, team and individual needs'
• Do we need a consultant? Essential steps in recruiting and retaining a project management consultant

MODULE 5 – MANAGING RISKS

• Identifying, assessing and judging risks
• Assigning ownership
• Taking actions to mitigate or anticipate them
• Monitoring and reviewing progress
• Develop risk register – essential ingredients and sample risk register
• Pulling it all together

MODULE 6 – EFFECTIVE MONITORING & CONTROL SYSTEMS

• Monitor project progress – an overview
• Report project progress to sponsor and stakeholders (frequency and content of reports)
• Set up a cost matrix
• Profile the cash flow
• Getting your budget back on track
• Essential project meetings – sample agenda
• Making presentations to the Project Board – key skills and format

MODULE 7 – EFFECTIVE PROJECT TEAM WORKING

• What is a project team? Introduction and key definition
• Matrix v Single Focus project teams – benefits and drawbacks
• Characteristics of effective project teams
• How to manage disagreements and conflict – commonly used styles
• Motivating your project team – what's involved, how to increase motivation and job satisfaction
• Managing project team performance – a five stage process to ensure your team perform to agreed standards
• Solving problems together – top tips for creative team problem solving
• Five phases of project team development

MODULE 8 – CLOSING THE PROJECT

• Introduction to closing the project
• When is a project closed? The two key points
• Develop a Project Completed Report
• Identify actions needed to ensure project outcomes are implemented
• Capture lessons learnt
• Carry out post implementation review
• Four stages of evaluation – outputs v outcomes
• Your continued professional development as a project manager