Project Management for Non-Project Managers

Overview

We create projects as a structured way to make things happen or to deal with change.  This may be things like moving office, organising an event, installing a new system, planning a campaign or developing a product.

This workshop will introduce you to a straightforward and jargon-free way to manage projects.  Once learned, you can apply these simple but effective skills to any project.

The course is also a useful introduction for project team members enabling them to gain an overall understanding of the benefits of a structured Project Management approach.

Who Will Benefit From This Course?

• Anyone who been asked to run or take part in a Project

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding the benefits of a structured approach to managing projects
• Initiation of a project through to successful completion
• Application of principles to plan run and finish a project

Content

Project Fundamentals

This module provides an overview of project management and introduces delegates to the simple but effective four stage process.

• Definition of a project
• The stages of a project
• How projects can go wrong

Stage 1 – Getting Started

This first stage will help delegates to think about the outcomes of the project and how success will be recognised measured and signed off.

• Setting clear objectives
• Agreeing the scope of the project
• Putting a team together

Stage 2 – Creating a Plan

Planning is about thinking of all of the activities that need to happen to complete the project and recording what has to be done, who will do it, and when it has to happen.

• How to create a project plan
• Estimating how long each task will take
• Prioritising tasks
• Allocating tasks to the team

Stage 3 – Running the Project

In order to manage the project, there are a few regular tasks that have to be carried out.  Participants will be introduced to the routine activities that keep projects on track.

• Running project meetings
• Weekly project review
• Identifying issues (problems you know of)
• Identifying risks (what could go wrong)
• Updating your plan
• Creating a progress report

Stage 4 – Finishing the Project

One of the most difficult parts of a project is closing it and agreeing with the project sponsors that the project is complete.

• Why it’s important to close your project
• How to close a project
• Managing expectations
• Lessons learned
• Creating a project close report