ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
2 DAY COURSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Learn high-level project management methodology, and skills to manage competing demands in constantly changing environments.
Even the most experienced project managers understand the value of learning new tools and techniques. As technology changes, as business speeds up, and as the economy fluctuates the demands placed on even the most seasoned Project Manager change. In Advanced Project Management Techniques you get a hands-on two-day course that will help you move well beyond fundamental techniques, and allow you to address the business issues that drive - and complicate - projects. Learn how to control competing project demands in today's ever-shifting business environments.
Success in Project Management requires constant learning and adaptability. Through hands-on case study work, multiple best practice scenarios, and uncompromising skill-building techniques you will be given the tools you need to take control of your projects AND your professional career.
Course Outline
- Project Metrics
The project manager isn’t always involved in the construction of the business case but it is critical that you understand how it was developed because you will have to live under its shadow…the shadow being the projected expenses. Also the project manager must be able to converse intelligently with key stakeholders. To do this means you must have an understanding of the metrics the business case and solution was built upon.
- How the business case is constructed
- ROI, NPV, Cash Flow Analysis – the building blocks
- Make vs. Buy Decisions
- Total Cost of Ownership – TCO
- Exercises to reinforce
- 2. Earned Value
It’s all about maintaining control of the project, on both a day-by-day basis and when managing a project through milestones. If you don’t know where we are at any given time, how will you be able to answer your stakeholders when they ask if targets will be met and if budgets will be kept?
- What it is and why it is so popular
- How it is used in conjunction with Trend Analysis
- Techniques for determining when value is earned
- Exercises to reinforce
- 3. Critical Chain
The third and most current edition of the PMBOK contains content relevant to Critical Chain. This schedule network analysis technique is different because it accounts for and manages resource conflict and constraints. - Process Improvement
- Eliyahu Goldratt’s approach
- How it is used to eliminate resource constraints
- Practical applications
- Exercises to reinforce
- 4. Quality
Project quality management processes include all the activities of the performing organization that determine quality policies, objectives and responsibilities. This is done so that the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken. - The triple constraint is really quadruple…time, cost, scope and quality
- The culture and subjectivity of quality
- Defining quality
- Quality planning – tools and techniques
- Quality assurance – tools and techniques
- Quality control – tools and techniques
- Six Sigma and Voice of the Customer
- 5. Politics
Most people claim to dislike politics and see it as negative, but almost all accept it as ever present. Politics by itself is neither negative nor positive, but people’s political behavior can often appear negative and manipulative. Projects exist in a world of influence and authority where personal agendas become key drivers. - Recognizing tactics and develop responses
- Survival skills for the PM
- Strategically analyzing your stakeholders
- 6. Taking Over an Existing Project/Managing Multiple Projects
At one time or another in every PM’s career, you will be asked to take over some else’s project and the reasons will be as varied as the projects. Learn a consistent approach to make the transition job easier. - A 10-step approach
- Challenges
- Lessons learned
- Experienced Project Managers
- Project Managers pursuing their PMP(r)
- Project Managers who know the basics but are managing more complex projects or dealing in a more complex environment
- PMPs who are looking to earn PDUs
- People who want to expand their knowledge of Project Management
- Senior Managers who work with project managers
- Program Managers and others who manage multiple projects
- Project Management Office staff or those who support projects
- Use financial analysis techniques to justify spending and manage expenses
- Converse with business leaders in a common language
- Calculate and understand the Net Present Value of your project
- Create detailed metrics to support key decisions of your project
- Track large, complex projects by measuring key indicators
- Integrate Earned Value Analysis to maintain control of your projects
- Better forecast project completion and total spending
- Use alternative methods to sequence and schedule your project’s activities
- Practically apply process improvement techniques to your project management discipline
- Analyze variances and ensure quality is maintained
- Manage competing organizational demands
- Juggle multiple and/or complicated project responsibilities
- Skillfully handle client needs and expectations
- Control your project initiatives
- Maintain effective working relationships with all project stakeholders