Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management via Online Distance Learning

Defining a Project

Definitions From Industry-Led Professionals; Characteristics Defining A Project; Comparing Projects To Processes; Introducing Global Standards In Project Management; Summary Of Major Associations Representing The Profession Of Project Management - International Organization Of Standardization (ISO); The Association For Project Management (APM); International Project Management Association (IPMA) Project Management Institute (PMI); Examples Of Widely Used Methodologies And Guides In Project Management (E.G. PRINCE2; The Critical Chain Method (CCPM); PMBOK Guide By The PMI)

The Project Manager's Role

Defining The Project Manager's Multi Skilled Role (Initiating; Planning; Selecting The Management Team; Ensuring Effective Communication; Cooperation And Collaboration Within The Project Team; Executing The Project; Managing Budget; Cash Flow; Timescale And Quality; Managing Progress And Change; Leadership Skills And Conflict Resolution); Key Project Management Responsibilities; And Comparing Project Management To Programme Management;

Project Management Leadership

The Importance Of The Leadership Role In Project Management; Leadership Communications; Getting And Giving Information; Understanding Group Needs And Characteristics; Knowing And Understanding Group Resources; Controlling The Group; Counselling; Setting The Example; Representing The Group; Problem-Solving; Evaluation; Contextual Leadership; Sharing Leadership; The Project Leader As A Manager Of Learning;

Key Elements in Project Management

Defining And Summarising The Key Elements Involved In Project Management By Outlining The Nine Knowledge Areas Observed By The PMI PMBOK Guide (Project Integration; Project Scope Management; Project Time Management; Project Cost Management; Project Quality Management; Project Human Resource Management; Project Communication Management; Project Risk Management And Project Procurement Management);

The Many Faces of Project Success and Failure

What Makes A Project A Successful One; The Triangle Of Objectives; The Implications Of Project Failure (Shortcomings In Initial Project Plan; Flaws In Costing; Time And Quality Management; Inadequate Communication Across Stakeholders; Consequences Related To Delegation And Leadership Shortfalls; Unrealistic Aims; Lack Of Prioritization; Lack Of Knowledge In Stakeholder Interests And Concerns; Poorly Defined Expectations); Why Project Success Does Not Always Equal Success As A Project Manager.

Launching a Feasible Project

Recognising Your Project: Project Types

The Four Main Project Types (Familiar; Creative; Unpredictable And Unknown); And Different Project Subject Types (E.G. Projects Designed For The Improvement Of Services/Products; Organizing Event Projects; Computer Software Projects; Administrative Projects; Construction And Engineering Projects; Publishing Projects; Product Design Projects; Science Research Projects; Entertainment And Sport Projects; Defence Projects; Shutdown/Turnaround Projects);

Project Initiation and Project Scope

The Main Factors Involved In Project Initiation (Definitions; Business Plans; Project Sponsor And Other Stakeholders) Planning At The Initial Stage For A Successful Project Outcome; Understanding And Defining The Project Scope; Recognising Time; Budget Schedule Restraints In The Scope Development;

Project Feasibility

Initial Project Thoughts; Defining And Confirming The Project Goals; Strategic Planning; Generating Scenarios; Questions And Their Outcomes; SWOT Analysis (Strengths; Weaknesses; Opportunities; Threats); Rich Picture Analysis (Holistic Representation Of The Project); Preparing A Functional Specification; STEEP Factors (Social; Technological; Ecological Economic And Political Aspects); Soft Systems Analysis (SSA); Cost Benefit Analysis; Features Analysis;

The Planning Process

The Project Management Life Cycle

Examples Of Project Life Cycle Stages (E.G. Project Definition Agreed And Signed; Project Planning; Making Detailed Designs; Purchasing Resources; Starting Up The Project; Test; Commission And Project Handover); The Difference Between A Project Phase And A Project Lifecycle; Project Process Groups Versus Project Lifecycle; The Different Lifecycle Models (Simple; Complex; Phase Development; Prototyping);

Defining the Key Players

Detailed Analysis Of Key Players Involved In A Project Life Cycle And Their Integration (Project Sponsor; Seniority; Project Manager; Project Engineer; Seller/Supplier; Project Team Members; Programme Board; Project Management Office; Stakeholders; Customer;

Formulating A Plan

Where And How To Start; Using Detailed Checklists And Flowcharts As Tools In Creating And Formulising Project Plans; The Advantages Of Using Work Breakdown Structures (WBS); Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS); The Use Of Logical Coding Systems As Effective Organization Methods; Critical Path Networks; Gaining Authorization; Making Decisions; Initial Project Coordination;

Budgeting and Estimating Costs

Techniques for Building a Cost Estimate

The Key Concepts In Project Cost Management; Cost Estimating; Cost Budgeting; Cost Accounting; Tools And Techniques In Cost Estimation (Top-Down; Bottom-Up Costing; Reserve; Conference; Vendor Bid Analysis) Cost Estimations For Materials; Labour Costs And Manufacturing;

Generating a Cash Flow System

The Key Principles In Managing Cash Flow; Financing Costs And Its Effect On Cash Flow; Payback Methods; Net Present Value (NPR) Methods; The Internal Rate Of Return (IRR) Method; Discounted Cash Flow; Cash Flow Statements; Computer Software Programmes To Schedule Cash Inflow And Outflow;

Cost Control

Essentials In Cost Control And Reporting; Accuracy Of Estimates And Confidence In Data; Variable And Fixed Costs Control; Holistic Approach To Cost Control; Introduction To Milestone Methods; Cost Reporting And Earned Value Analysis; Example Checklists For Controlling Costs;

Time Management

Introduction To Time Management

Processes Involved In Project Time Management; Difference Between Time Planning And Time Scheduling; Internal And External Time Influences; Bottom-Up And Top-Down Time Planning; Parametric Estimation And Three Point Estimation; Checklists And Diary Planning; Developing A Realistic Schedule; Gantt Charts And Linked Gantt Charts;

Time Control

Time Milestones; Critical Path Networks Continues; Precedence Notation; Basics Behind Time Limiting And Resource Limiting Scheduling; Basics In Serial Scheduling And Parallel Scheduling; The Fundamental;

Limiting Factors And Reducing The Time To Market

Time Limiting And Resource Limiting Scheduling Continues; Serial Scheduling And Parallel Scheduling Continued; Reducing Time To Market; Schedule Compression; Trading Time; Fast Tracking And Crashing;

Creating A High Performance Management Team

Framework For Selecting The Project Management Team

Team Selection; Managing The Project Team; The Skills Matrix; Personal Work Styles; Boundaries Of Responsibility; Types Of Project Teams And Their Associated Strengths And Weaknesses;

Leadership Responsibilities And Job Descriptions

Gaining And Maintaining Authority; Supporting The Project Team; Key People In The Organization (E.G. General Management; Director Of Projects; Project Services Manager; Chief Mechanical Engineer; Chief Controls Engineer; Drawing Office Manager; The Project Support Office (Pso); Influencing And Delegating; The Project Manager's Sources Of Power (Legitimate; Reward; Expert; Referent; Coercive);

Positive Team Environment And Interpersonal Skills

Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs; The Four Stages Of Team Building (Forming; Storming; Norming And Performing); Ways Of Establishing And Assigning Specific Measurable Roles To The Project Team; Ways To Keep Stakeholders Motivated; How To Build Team Members Morale; Managing Virtual Project Management Teams;

Managing Volunteers

Selecting; Allocating; Managing; Supervising And Supporting Volunteers;

Communication

Developing An Effective Communication Framework

Why Communication Is Important; The Communication Framework; How To Gather Information; How Much Stakeholders Need To Know; Choosing The Right Approach; Planning Ahead; Accepting Feedback; Monitoring And Adapting Communication; Group And Individual Communication; Cost Efficient Communication; Getting The Right Information To The Right People At The Right Time;

Effective Communication Within The Project Team

The Key Elements In Communicating With The Project Team; Communication Networks For Distributing Information; Communicating Project Performance; Communication Reporting Structures; The Six Sources Of Tension In Communication;

Effective Communication With Senior Stakeholders

Communicating Up The Hierarchy Ladder; Communication And Attitude; Effective Communication With The Client; Effective Communication With Senior Management; Optimization Of Performance Reporting; Communicating With External Stakeholders; Conformity And Union In Decisions And Contracts; Avoiding Misinterpretations; Communicating Updates In Project Developments; Ensuring Two-Way Communication;

Quality Planning

Introduction To Quality And Quality Planning

Defining Quality; How Quality Fits Into The Project Life Cycle; Planning For Quality; Smart Planning; Inputs And Outputs Required For Quality Planning And Quality Assurance; Costs Of Quality; Prioritising Quality;

Quality Assurance And Quality Control

The Value Of Quality Management; Quality Assurance; Testing For Software Quality (Unit Testing; Integration Testing; Subsystem Testing; System Testing; Regression Testing; Alpha Testing; Beta Testing; Acceptance Testing); Validating And Verifying Quality; Benchmarking; Quality Management Practices; Quality Testing And Reviewing; Why Quality Isn’t Met;

Risk

Introduction To Risk

Defining Risk Management; Categories Of Risk (Internal And External Risks); Identifying The Projects? Risks; Risk Analysis And Assessment; Qualitative Analysis (Fishbone Diagram; Classification Matrices); Quantitative Analysis; Introduction To Risk Planning;

Risk Management

The Risk Register ? Output To Risk Identification; Avoiding Risk; Reducing Risk (Mitigate); Contingency Plans; Risk Acceptance; Risk Monitoring; Insurance; Planning For A Crisis;

Getting On With The Project: Project Monitoring And Control

Getting Started

The Project Manager's Activities; Corresponding With All Stakeholders Involved; Preparations And Organization; Completing Documents; Standards And Procedures; Commencing Physical Work; Issuing Detailed Plans; Work Guidelines And Contracts;

Managing Progress

Techniques For Monitoring; Measuring And Managing Project Progress; Styles Of Managing Progress; Collecting Information; Managing The Feedback Control Loop (Evaluating; Action; Monitoring Progress); Project Objectives V Project Outcomes; Review Of Team And Contractors; Correspondence And Other Documents; Updating And Maintaining Progress Reports; Verifying Statistics; Corrective Measures; Project Meetings; Progress Review Meetings; General Communication And Managing Risk Issues Log;

Managing People

Scheduling And Managing Engineers; Designers And Other Members Of The Project Team; Use Of Man Hours; Overtime; Weekend And Shift Working; Scheduling Holidays; Assigning Tasks; Sickness And Other Lost Time; Public Holidays; People Sequencing; Monitoring And Control;

Managing Change

Cause And Effect

Origin Of Change (Internal Or External); Impact Of Project Changes On Life Cycle; Advantages And Disadvantages; Classifying Change; Funded And Unfunded Changes; Documentation And Authorization; Administrative Work And Committee Meetings;

Managing Change

Configuration Management And Control; Dealing With Requests; Permanent And Temporary Change; Estimating The Cost Of Change; Managing Internal And External Changes; Forms And Procedures And Emergency Changes;

Problem Solving And Conflict Management

Identifying Conflict within The Management Team

Reasons For Conflict; Methods Of Identifying And Dispersing Conflict Within The Management Team;

Other Stakeholder Problems

Breakdown In Communication; Cause And Effect Of Stakeholder Dissatisfaction; Ways To Alleviate Setbacks;

Negotiation Skills

Negotiation Skills Overview; Pre-Negotiation Skills; Information And Leverage Evaluation; Types Of Negotiation; Negotiation Analysis; Negotiation Process: Opening Stance; Tactics; Concessions; Resolutions; Negotiation Closure; Documentation And Follow Through;

Project Management Auditing

Why Audit?

Auditing A Project; What To Audit (People; Cost; Quality; Time) Who Does The Auditing; When To Audit; How Auditing Is Undertaken;

Closing The Project

Project And Contract Closure

Formal Project Closure Procedures; Managing Files And Archives; Finalising Records And Reports; Disposing Of Surplus Materials; Completing Final Project Definition;

Evaluation

Project Review; Improving Project Performance; Learning Before Doing;

The Future Of Project Management

The Past Present And Future In Project Management

History Of Project Management From 1900; The Long-Term View Of Project Management And Its Likely Future;

Projectlibre Open Source Project Management Software

Overview Of The Projectlibre Environment; Introduction To Projectlibre; Downloading & Installing The Application. The Projectlibre Screen Environment: Gantt Charts; Using Network Diagrams; The Resources View; The Work Breakdown Structure Chart; The Resources Breakdown Structure Chart; The Reports Screen; The Task Usage Detail Screen; The Resource Usage Detail Screen; The Histogram Screen;

Setting Up And Managing A Project

Setting Up A New Project; Creating Sub Tasks; Setting Task Durations; Setting Task Dependencies; Modifying A Task; Adding Notes To A Task; Adding Resources To Your Project. Work And Material Resource Types; Assigning & Modifying A Resource; Assigning Costs To A Resource; Adding Notes To A Resource. Inserting Milestones In A Project; Tracking Your Project Using Baselines; Creating Project Reports. Common Project Management Terms; Resources And References;

Presentation Skills

Preparation And Research; Speech Content; Subject Matter And Objectives; Speech Delivery And Variety; Body Language; Eye Contact; Etc.; Presentation Aids Etc.; Management Of Locations And Audiences; Presentation Structure; Client Presentations;