An Introduction to Project Management

Course details

Details

Employers in all sectors and industries are looking for good project management skills to speed up innovation and effectively manage change. This two-day course will enable you to manage projects more effectively, or contribute more effectively to a project team, through the application of a systematic project framework and the use of helpful project tools and techniques.

Run as it features here, or run in-house where the content can be tailored to suit your organisational needs; cost effective if a number of people require training.

Course Tutors

Mr Steve Kendall

Steve is Director of Oxford Projects, and has over 20 years experience in a consultancy, training and coaching role. He has successfully worked with many leading organisations in diverse sectors such as Technology (Rolls Royce, RM, Elekta, Cambridge Consultants, e2v), Education (the Open University), Science & Research (Sharp, abcam), Professional Institutions (IMechE, Royal Society of Chemistry), Environmental (Earthwatch, Proforest) and Pharma (Vertex).  Steve is passionate about helping businesses to improve their performance and has a special interest in the management of change via a project-based approach, and fast track projects (Time-to-Market reduction) in particular. Initially, Steve worked in the electronics industry – in telecoms and then computing - where he was responsible for new product developments. This involved the management of large cross-functional change projects, rapid introduction of new technology, and intense cost competitiveness. He is a member of the Association for Project Management, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. 

Who is it for

An Introduction to Project Management is designed to give a broad introduction to anyone involved in project working. No prior knowledge is necessary.

This course will also prepare you for an optional one-hour multiple-choice exam which is accredited by the Association for Project Management, and upon completing this exam you are awarded the Introductory Certificate in Project Management. The Certificate is an internationally recognised foundation-level qualification.

This exam requires an additional cost, please see 'Course programme' below for more information. 

Benefits

By the end of An Introduction to Project Management you will be able to:

• understand key project management terms and concepts
• gain clarity at the outset of projects
• plan projects realistically
• manage risk and change effectively
• use key project management tools
• monitor and control progress
• establish the needs of stakeholders
• understand the benefits of post-project reviews

Programme

Day one

Projects, Programmes and Portfolios

The Project Context  

An introduction to project life cycles and key success factors

Initiating a project

• establishing the objectives and scope of work
• defining the needs of stakeholders
• establishing a clear business case
• agreeing key roles and responsibilities

Creating a project plan

• project definitions; work, product and organisational breakdown structures
• networks, critical path analysis, risk management, Gantt charts and milestone charts
• an introduction to quality management, assurance and control

Day two

Techniques for estimating resources in projects

Resourcing the plan

• how to ensure that the plan is fully resourced, through resource histograms and resource levelling

The project communication plan

• communicate appropriately with all stakeholders, and gain commitment from the team

Building the team

• overview of team development and roles

Monitoring and controlling projects

• tools and techniques

Handover

• How to hand over to the operational team effectively

Project closure and learning review

• how to close projects well and identify lessons learned

Individual action planning