Project Management: Getting it Right First Time
The ability to plan and manage a project from conception through to completion is a value asset when there are so many calls on our time to distract us from what we are trying to achieve. This practical course is designed to help you consider the vital elements of project planning and how to use them to successfully complete projects within your timescales and budget.
Why Do You Need To Be Able To Project Manage?
The ability to manage a project is becoming more and more important in the world today. It is not necessarily because people wish to make their life’s work project management. It is because there is so much at stake when a project takes place. The ability therefore to know exactly what the project is trying to achieve, who will be involved and the running order for each contribution goes a long way to ensuring that projects you are running go smoothly and have the desired outcomes.
Certainly anyone can start a project and see it to completion. We all do this in everyday life – planning holidays, weddings, parties. How well we do it is the key factor. Like planning a party that every one enjoys, project planning is about getting it right. If you get a project – or many projects right – than it will help your career move ahead.
So, is project management just like planning a party? Well, yes and no; it certainly means knowing your budget and who you want to invite. It also requires some more specialised skills and techniques. It is these skills that one needs to learn in order to be a successful Project Manager.
Projects come in all shapes and sizes, some more complex than others. The common thread is the requirement to plan them so that they go well and the final outcome is a success for you and those around you. Project Management tools are not burdensome; they are more a way of thinking, communicating and behaving.
Project Management tools appear at each of the stages of the project; in the planning, the scheduling, the budgeting, the organisation and control as well as in the wash-up and lesson learned stage of the project.
Defining the project is fundamental to the project. It is pointless having an idea and hoping that it will come together as the project goes along. As a friend of mine once said and now often quoted, “You need to have a plan. Only if you have a plan can you change it” It may sound trite but it is true. If you don’t know what you are going to do you can’t plan it or make useful and constructive improvements or changes as issues appear.
Being aware of the budget, its constraints and availability will be important throughout the project. Its parameters should be set early on. Good management of the budget may then be embedded into your project. Who is to be involved and the stage at which their involvement is required is a factor in the smooth progression of the contract but also in budget allocation.
The handling of the day-to-day operation of the project. Dealing with stakeholders and suppliers may be complicated. Once you have identified the internal and external stakeholders at the planning stage of the project you will have a good handle on who will help you develop the project.
Learning from projects is vital. Throughout any projects lessons can be learnt. This learning is vital to the development of skills as a Project Manager. Whether you are new to Project Management or half way through a project or even finishing a project but concerned about the next this course will help you
This Project Management training course will explore with you the key skills required for project management. On top of this we will look at the personal skills required for the job; the people handling skills and the situations you may find yourself having to deal with. Thus the course will cover the technical elements of Project management while also linking the personal considerations and skills needed to be a more successful project manager.