Duration
2 days
Suitable for participants who have some or no project management knowledge
Course Overview
This course is intended for professionals requiring working knowledge and skill in planning, tracking; and measuring the schedule and cost performance of client’s projects. The teaching material is compliant to Project Management Institute PMBOK, and is carefully designed to provide the best mix of experience, theory and practice in an adult learning environment. Formal presentation is used mainly to introduce key concepts and significant elements of project management. Emphasis is on practical applications through “hands on” action learning. Project management using Microsoft Project will be taught, and helps participants to visualise project schedule planning, cost expenditure planning, and updating project progress.
Participants are encouraged to bring their projects to the session. The use of project management software and techniques will be used to help participants better understand project management concepts; reflecting on their current project practices, and knowing how to improve them.
Objectives
- To provide project management fundamentals (i.e., the project management framework) for participants to understand the project management methodology.
- To understand the use of project management tools for initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing projects.
- To apply soft skills when managing the team, which includes motivating, resolving conflicts, developing the team and exercising different leadership styles for different project scenarios.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Have a strong understanding of the various processes of project management and their best practice workflow.
- Evaluate risk management planning of projects.
- Determine task/project durations, and costs.
- Determine which task(s) has overwhelming influence in project duration.
- Track project progress and making project reports.
- Have a working set of project management tools and techniques for monitoring project progress - appreciate use of MS Project for planning, scheduling and tracking project progress.
Detailed Course Content
The sessions will normally start at 9.00 am and end at 5.00 pm, or at client’s timing preference; with two 15-minute tea breaks and an hour lunch.
Day 1: Morning
Project Management Background
The time-cost-quality & project scope triangle.
Defining project needs, functional and technical requirements.
Defining measurable objectives to meet project requirements (scoping).
Work breakdown structure (WBS).
Activity: constructing a WBS.
Day 1: Afternoon
Work task listing.
Activity: constructing a work task list.
Work sequencing and scheduling (Network diagram, Gantt & milestone diagram).
Activity: constructing a Gantt chart and a milestone chart of a project.
Understanding the Critical Path Method.
Day 2: Morning
Resource listing – human, material, facility, equipment, etc.
Activity: creating a resource list.
Time-phased distribution of costs – cumulative cost curve (S-curve).
Project risk management.
Project Execution, Monitoring & Controlling Processes
Executing the project plan.
Tracking project schedule progress using Gantt Chart.
Activity: Using project management software to track project progress.
Activity: Gantt Chart and project progress.
Day 2: Afternoon
Tracking project cost expenditure using S-Curve.
Activity: S-Curve (cost) reporting.
Project Closing Process
Administrative close-out checklist.
Activity: Product verification (formal acceptance and handover sign-offs), closing project books, post-mortem, documenting lessons learned, archiving project documents, disbanding, rewarding and thanking the team.
Contract close-out administration checklist.
Activity: Scope verification of supplier deliverables (as per contract), document lessons learned, closing the contract, and thanking the supplier.
All 2 Days:
Microsoft Project Hands-On Sessions
Entering Tasks.
Editing and Organising Tasks.
Outline Tasks.
Creating a Task Calendar.
Setting Task Durations.
Linking Tasks.
Creating Task Relationships.
Gantt Chart and Network Diagrams.
Creating a Resource Sheet.
Assigning Resources.
Assigning Costs to Resources.
Tracking Project Progress.
Project Reporting.
Training Approach
The training uses practical exercises that take individuals outside their comfort zones. By giving the participants help and guidance during the process, confidence and skills are strengthened. We make the sessions challenging and practical through the use of role-play, experiential learning and group exercises. Participants will quickly discover their strengths and weaknesses in communicating with others. Moreover, this interaction makes classes enjoyable and motivational.
The tempo of the training is light-hearted and fast-paced. Our experience suggests that this makes people actually look forward to attending our training sessions and reinforces the motivational effects. Peer group pressure, structure and relaxed atmosphere are the key elements to the success of our courses.
Methodology
Presentation, project management software appreciation (participants are to bring own notebooks or use the computing facilities running on at least Windows XP, Microsoft Project 2007, and Microsoft Excel 2007), case studies, and hands-on activities.
Who Can Benefit
Managers and executives who are directly involved in planning, estimating, scheduling, monitoring (tracking), and measuring the implementation progress of projects.
Items, Logistics & Others
Training Items:
Post-It notes
Flipchart paper
Flipchart easels
Whiteboard
Computer projector (up to XGA resolution)
Writing paper
Whiteboard markers
Paper tape
Pencils
Course material (in a binder and tabbed)
Logistics:
Round table seating 5 participants.
Breakout table arrangement (conducive to group exercises).
Computing facilities (at least one PC/notebook PC per table) running at least Windows XP, MS Powerpoint 2007, MS Project 2007, and MS Excel 2007.
Others:
Costs pertaining to training venue, training items and logistics (course material copying and binding, markers, flipcharts, whiteboards, writing materials, rental of PCs, notebook PCs, AV equipment) are at the expense of the organiser or the client. If outside Malaysia travel is required of the trainer, the organiser or the client will bear travelling and accommodation expenses of the trainer.
Programme scope, delivery arrangements and suitability are confirmed during enquiry.