Overview
What can be done to help project managers become more effective, whether they have limited experience or substantive experience? Only so much can be learned in a lectured classroom environment, even with case studies and group exercises. The next best thing to one-on-one mentoring is to take the classroom into the real world and bring the real world into the classroom. This workshop does just that by focusing the workshop’s attendees on analyzing ongoing real projects for areas of improvement and areas of praise.
The participants come to the workshop prepared to have their projects reviewed by the instructor and by their workshop peers. By the conclusion of the workshop, the attendees are armed with a list of recommendations to take back to their projects and implement. No theory and schoolbook jargon here, only specific real-world solutions to real-world problems.
Length of Workshop
Typically one or two days. The length of the workshop depends on the number of projects being reviewed, the complexity of the projects and the number of workshop attendees.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is for Project Managers, MIS/Functional Managers, Team Leaders, Quality Assurance Personnel, Project Management Office Personnel and Individual Team Members who are interested in improving their contributions and overall success of their projects. Attendees should have a basic understanding of project management concepts. Great booster for seasoned project managers.
Prerequisite
At least some project management experience. It is recommended, but not required, that the workshop participants have completed the workshop, No-Nonsense Advice for Successful Projects. This core workshop will help define common terminology. It also will lay the foundation for establishing an effective project management culture both within a project and across an organization of multiple projects.
You Will Benefit from the Workshop by:
- Preparing (before the workshop) and delivering a presentation that focuses on the current state of your project and providing a self-assessment of your project.
- Having your project reviewed by an experienced project management instructor/consultant/mentor, experienced project manager attendees and other workshop attendees.
- Obtaining reinforcement for those project practices that are contributing positively to your project.
- Receiving a list of project-related problems that require attention.
- Receiving a list of recommendations to pursue to strengthen the probability of success of your project.
Your Seminar Experience Will Cover
- The Soft Skills Element – Understand the importance of leadership to the success of a project and the leadership skills that contribute to the success of project leaders.
- Roles and Responsibilities – Understand the roles and responsibilities of the project manager and other project leaders.
- Problem Identification and Solutions – Identify big-ticket problems that derail projects and solutions to help you avoid, recover, or minimize their impact.
- Planning and Tracking – Learn the impact that effective (and ineffective) planning and tracking can have on the outcome of the project.
- Metrics – Identify metrics that can be effective in planning and monitoring key work activities.
- Vendors and Subcontractors – Learn how to effectively train and engage vendors and subcontractors towards the achievement of project success.
- Project Reviews – Learn how to review projects for maximum benefit with minimal effort.
- Culture Training – Learn how to create a productive, successful business culture for your project.
- Improvement to Your Project – Receive objective, candid, constructive remarks that can, in many cases, significantly improve the outcome of your project.
Instructional Methods
Full class participation in reviewing ongoing projects and some discussion/lecture.
Workshop Size
Up to 20 participants is optimal. From one to five projects can be reviewed depending on the size and complexity of the projects. The greatest benefit is gained if at least several key players from a project attend together.
Notes
This workshop is an unusually powerful tool in showing how to apply project management concepts to ongoing projects. The more project experience that participants bring to the workshop, the more they and others will benefit from the workshop. Attacking people is not permitted; however, attacking problems is encouraged and welcomed.