Overview
The Project Management Essentials (PME) course encompasses the fundamental best practices for managing a project from initiation to closure–what every project manager needs to know to manage projects successfully. Participants gain an understanding of the concepts and tools needed to build and manage an effective project plan.
Through the use of short case studies, practical exercises, class discussions, and lectures, participants have the opportunity to apply best practices in a non-threatening classroom environment.
- Course Length:
- Virtual: Six 3.5-hour sessions
- Onsite: 3 Days
- Professional Development Units (PDUs): 21 (14 Ways of Working, 7 Power Skills)
- Program Knowledge Level: Basic
- Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
- Prerequisites: None
- Advance Preparation: None
- Benefits: Build the knowledge and skills required to plan and manage projects
Key Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the foundations of a project management culture
Articulate the value of project management as it relates to the organization
Describe the benefits of a project management approach
Describe the stages of organizational project management maturity
Identify the characteristics of managing projects from a strategic perspective
Demonstrate an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of executives and project managers
Describe the typical life cycle of a project
Demonstrate an understanding of the language of project management
Identify the tools and techniques that make up industry best practices
Course Outline
The Project Management Framework
- Define project management and why it is important
- Describe the difference between a project, a program, a portfolio, and an operation
- Describe project manager competencies
- Define the project management life cycle and the types of development life cycles
- Define the triple constraint and how it is used
Project Initiating
- Identify the elements of a Project Charter
- Identify elements and outputs of a project kickoff meeting
- Describe a Project Management Plan and project documents
- Describe the steps of a stakeholder analysis, and perform a stakeholder analysis
- Differentiate the roles of the Project Sponsor, Project Manager, and the project customer
Project Planning
- Define the product scope
- Define the project scope and develop a project scope statement
- Develop an effective Work Breakdown Structure, and identify characteristics of a work package
- Identify the difference between estimating costs and determining the budget
- Identify distinctions between effort, duration, and calendar time
- Define the different types of estimates, and describe the importance of consistency in estimates
- Define the project schedule and its value
- Demonstrate an understanding of schedule terminology
- Identify the major uses of schedule views
- List the three components of project risks
- Describe the key activities of the Project Risk Management process
- Identify the correct way to state risk events
- Describe strategies to address negative risks and strategies to address positive risks
- Identify components of a project baseline
- Identify elements of project change control
- Determine strategies for handling project change requests
Project Executing
- Discuss the technical and human resource aspects leading to the delivery, monitoring, and controlling of project progress
- Describe the Project Manager’s role and techniques for team development, and identify the five stages of team development
- Describe effective communication methods and the role of the Project Manager in communications
- Describe conflict resolution options and the sources of conflict on projects
- Identify the decision-making process
- Describe types of project reviews and oversight techniques
Project Closing
- Identify closeout activities
- Describe the benefits of effective project closeout