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Simulations: Project Leadership™

Evolve your project knowledge into confident leadership, no matter how big and complex the project.

Introduction

Stepping up to the role of leading a project is intimidating enough for a project leader, but it can be a major risk for the business if the first time they lead a project is in a live environment. This workshop is for anyone who needs to lead a major project, and provides a range of knowledge, tools and techniques:

  • Realistic and dynamic experience of running a large project - in a risk-free environment.
"I know of no more effective learning tool – and the mechanics of the simulation itself are really impressive." Dr Martin Barnes CBE, President of the Association of Project Management & Board Member of the Major Projects Association.
 

The challenge

Project and Programme Leaders are often learning and making mistakes in a live environment, which is costly and can be career limiting. They learn the hard skills of managing the project or programme but the soft skills of consulting, selling solutions and managing expectations are neglected in typical training.

The life-cycle of major projects is often measured in months or years, with the ‘lessons learned’ piece coming at the end (if at all) when it is too late. Here the delegates are building reflective and analytical skills, as well as soft skills, making them better able to build in continuous improvement and nip problems in the bud.

How this workshop will help

Indigo's two-day Project Leadership™ simulation gives participants a realistic and dynamic experience of running a large project.

Achieving project objectives on time, on budget and consistently (whilst keeping major stakeholders happy) is at the heart of our Project Leadership simulation.  Developed in conjunction with the Major Projects Association, and using the construction of a new football stadium as the setting, participants learn to manage multiple aspects of the project whilst dealing with uncertainties and risks.

This blend of an eight-hour simulation (played in two to three phases) with learning sessions brings to life the theory behind leading project leadership. The subsequent debrief focuses on strategy and re-planning. The phases of the Simulation are interspersed with short bursts of theory that are in line with PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Programmes.

Workshop benefits

Clients who have a competency framework for employee development list ‘delivery’ as a core competence at all levels.  This workshop allows delegates to test themselves ‘in vitro’ to see if the knowledge and the behaviours are working in tandem.

Project Leadership gives you techniques to lead your immediate team members AND lead your wider stakeholders. The simulation focuses on your leadership of the wider stakeholders. By working as a team member in your simulation group, you gain valuable experience in leading a team and building consensus over decisions - both in the simulation and in the classroom. 

Project Leadership increases confidence as it underlines what the team members are doing right (with immediate feedback) as well as giving valuable feedback on those areas that need further development. It provides best practice terms of reference to those project leaders who are self-taught or have learned on the job.

Workshop outline

  • Simulation setting - background and context.
  • Project and programme initiation.
  • Project and programme scoping.
  • Stakeholder management.

Part 1 - Football Stadium Simulation

  • Project and programme structure, governance and reporting.
  • Preparation and planning for the Football Stadium Simulation - part 2.
  • Summary of the learning.

Part 2 - Football Stadium Simulation

  • Risk management.
  • Change management.
  • Issues management and escalation.

Part 3 - Football Stadium Simulation

  • Team debrief on their own performance.
  • Results of the Football Stadium Simulation.
  • Action planning.

Who should attend?

This workshop is ideal for any manager or consultant for whom consulting, influencing and building consensus is important for getting things done. It is ideal for:

  • Project Managers.
  • Programme Managers.
  • Project Team Members.
  • Project Team Leaders.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Simulations: Project Leadership™ can count towards your CPD recognition with leading professional bodies and trade organisations. You can normally record your attendance in the 'organised learning' or 'self-learning' sections. Please check with your membership organisation for more information.

In-House workshops

Our in-house delivery option gives you the flexibility to train teams, groups and departments. Reducing delegate travel, training cost (significant saving when compared to our open public workshops) and environmental impact - as we train at your choice of location or online, in the UK or internationally. Options for tailoring content are available.

Prices quoted are based on 12 delegates per event, we can accommodate up to 18 delegates for an additional fee:

  • Face-to-face classroom workshops - delegates receive a printed workbook/materials.
  • Virtual learning sessions - delivered as highly interactive modular sessions using our Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex platforms or your own. Virtual workshops require access to a PC/Mac/tablet and internet connection, a webcam, speakers/headphones and enabled microphone, or attendees can simply dial in on their phone.

    The format will be similar to face-to-face classroom workshops, we always cover a core programme. It is delivered using interactive group learning sessions, lots of practice, group and individual feedback and 1-2-1 trainer coaching. We combine this with screen and document sharing, polls, interactive whiteboards and breakout rooms. Delegates receive access to an online workbook/materials that can be viewed online, downloaded to a portable device or printed. Printed workbooks are available at additional cost. 

Delegate places are available at from £575pp + VAT.

More details