Introduction:

As more and more business, critical initiatives are being planned and executed as projects, it is essential that organizations are fully equipped with the skills, tools, working practices, processes and mindsets such that projects can be clearly defined, realistically planned and effectively managed. This entry-level course provides an overview of project management that focuses on key success factors, decisions and consequences. Relevant for any project in any area of business, the course covers the pragmatic skills and techniques necessary for effective project delivery. After course completion, delegates will be able to sit an examination to attain the Association for Project Management (APM) Introductory Certificate in Project Management. This course will also prepare delegates for the CompTIA Project+ examination. A case study is used throughout the course to illustrate and practice the concepts and techniques. This course is ideal for those who are new to project management and wish to develop the basic skills, or those who need a basic understanding of the project lifecycle and key techniques. This course is ideal for those wishing to attain the APM Introductory Certificate in Project Management. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the Project Manager's role
• Create an appropriate project environment
• Define and agree the project objectives
• Create realistic plans and estimates
• Understand how to manage quality, change and risk
• Track and communicate progress against plan
• Appreciate the need for effective project communications
• Understand how to build and motivate the team
• Understand procurement, handover and project closure issues

Who Should Attend?

IT Engineers, IT Professionals, IT Directors, Engineers, IT Project Managers, IT Auditors, IT Compliance Managers, IT Coordinators, IT Support Managers, IT Officers, IT Support Specialists, IT System Administration, Technical Support Professionals, Chief Information Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Information Assurance Officers, Program Managers, Network Systems Analysts, Government Program Managers, R&D Project Managers, Software and System Developers, Chief Security Officers, Security Specialists, Chief Information Security Officers, Directors of Security, Security Architects, Security Operation Center Managers, Security Consultants, Security Managers, Security Auditors, Security Directors, Systems Administrators, Incident Response Analysts, Business Owners, Security Analysts, Security Systems Engineer, Network Architect, Operations Managers, Risk Management Professionals, Network Administration Professionals, Application Developers, Application Support Analysts, Application Engineers, Associate Developers, Technology Officers, Information Officers, Help Desk Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Database Administrators, Network Architects, Network Engineers, Network System Administrators, System Analysts, System Architects, System Designers

Course Outline:

Overview of Project Management

• An understanding of the nature of projects and how the challenges they present differ from those met in a non-project environment
• Projects, programs and portfolios
• The triangle of balance
• Management of change
• Project context
• Stakeholder analysis
• Business case and project justification

Setting up the Project Environment

• Initiating the project and creating an environment for success
• Roles and responsibilities
• Establishing success criteria
• Use of project life cycles
• Configuration management
• The project management plan

Defining the Objectives and Terms of Reference

• The importance of establishing the project objectives and scope at the outset
• Guidelines for creating effective objectives

Introduction to Procurement

• Rationale for using third parties
• Selection criteria
• Project Manager's role

Quality Management

• What is quality?
• Quality management, quality assurance and quality control
• Costs and benefits of quality

Estimating

• Techniques available
• Delphi
• Work distribution
• Using previous experience

Developing a Plan

• Why do we need to plan?
• Work and product breakdown
• Networks and critical path analysis
• Gantt charts
• Resource histograms
• The use of S-Curves

Risk and Issue Management

• Difference between risks and issues
• Analysis of risk
• Identifying actions for managing risks
• Ownership and documentation

Project Communications

• How to communicate effectively with stakeholders and team members
• Communication options and their usage
• Hints and tips

Teams and the Role of the Project Manager

• Creating the team
• Briefing and mobilizing your resources

Monitoring and Controlling Projects

• The planning and control cycle
• Information required
• Updating the plan
• Interpreting the results
• Identifying and taking corrective action
• Continuous improvement

Change Control

• Definition
• Scope and Impact analysis
• Authorization
• Planning and implementation
• Documentation and history

Acceptance and Handover

• Testing
• Levels of testing
• User acceptance of service/solution
• Handover options
• Transfer to business as usual

Project Closure and Review

• Formal closure procedure
• Documentation
• Archiving
• Lessons learnt

COURSE LOCATIONS