Project Management Survival Guide™

Who is it for?

Anyone who has to do more with less, including:

• Operational managers and staff with a portfolio of small multiple projects, in addition to their day job.
• Those new to project management, or those who have had no formal training.

"I have largely been left to my own devices throughout my project management experience and have muddled through, but the structure, skills and tools learnt on this course have been enlightening and make me feel a lot more confident and "ready" when I'm faced with my next project. I feel like I've spent a lot of time firefighting unnecessarily because I didn't use these documents and processes."
Geologist, Oil and Gas Organisation

What's it all about?

This workshop offers a comprehensive, hands-on project management toolkit, encompassing both the technical aspects and the soft skills of project management. It helps everyone involved in projects to be more planned, organised, and to reduce risk. 

It's a practical workshop that has been used to enhance on-the-job skills and to apply academic project management knowledge in a practical setting. It's also a way for individuals to prepare for their first professional qualification. 

Built around practice, coaching, and feedback, the workshop enables delegates to share the real-life problems and issues they encounter in their projects. They will then get advice from an experienced subject matter expert.

"Whether experienced or not, this is a great refresher and/or training resource."
Product Manager, Pharmaceutical Organisation

What will you get out of it?

It delivers the skills and knowledge required for anyone, not just project managers, who need to set up, manage or contribute to a project at all levels. You will be able to make an immediate start in project management by:

• Managing projects and time more effectively.
• Reducing confusion by cutting through the jargon.
• Adding value by applying a range of practical tips and tools.
• Appreciating the importance of stakeholder management.

Typical workshop content

The format is highly interactive, emphasising real-life case studies to embed learning and practice skills. At this workshop, you will develop your skills by:

• Defining and understanding the business context of projects and project management.
• Understanding the project lifecycle and associated templates for planning and managing your project.
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a sponsor, steering group, Project Manager and associated team roles.
• Thinking about ways to gain buy-in and get decisions made more efficiently by working with your sponsor (and/or steering group) to plan from the outset using the' business case'. 
• Understanding benefits management, success criteria and factors, as well as KPIs and effective tracking and reporting.
• Developing and managing scope.
• Utilising effective change control and resource management.
• Utilising milestone planning, critical path analysis, and risk management techniques to inform stakeholder decisions.
• Using practical stakeholder analysis and management techniques to develop communication plans and to manage upwards.
• Managing the process of issue escalation and resolution.Using stage/gate review techniques to shape outcomes and drive quality solutions.
• Effective monitoring and control of cost, quality and time on your project.
• Recognising and avoiding project pitfalls.

"Loads of practical tips and tools. The course was enjoyably absent of too much theory and went straight into the practice of project management."
Net Zero Specialist, Global Energy Organisation