Project Estimating and Scheduling: In-House Training Establishing realistic estimates and goals for projects that support business objectives and meet client expectations is one of the most challenging aspects of project planning. Delivering those results within the agreed-upon time, cost, and quality constraints is also challenging. Attempting to meet impossible deadlines with limited budgets often leads to unplanned product shortfalls, causing long-term support and utilization problems. We have all anguished about this recurring problem, but without having the skills or knowledge to take action, we are unable to break the cycle! The goal of this course is for you to be able to support business objectives and meet client expectations by selecting the right planning approach for realistic and cost effective schedules, as well as project budgets. To achieve that, you will focus on gaining the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Use the work breakdown structure (WBS) as the basis for effective estimating of project resources Estimate effort and duration using a variety of techniques Develop preliminary schedules using the critical path method Apply a variety of optimization techniques to refine preliminary schedules Establish realistic schedule and cost baselines, with appropriate contingency reserves Explain how earned value management (EVM) contributes to control time and cost performance Foundation Concepts Project management basic definitions and concepts PES Key driver: competing constraints PES Process and success factors Project Definition and the WBS Project definition overview Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Decomposition: WBS development technique Resource Planning Resource planning overview Identifying resource requirements Identifying and filling resource gaps Applying resource planning tools Effort and Duration Estimating Estimating overview Estimating perspectives and approaches Estimating techniques Effort and duration estimating best practices Project Scheduling Overview of project scheduling Dependencies and the project network diagram Critical path method (CPM) Optimizing the schedule Budget, Risk, and Contingency Planning Overview of budget, risk, and contingency planning Estimating costs Determining the budget Project risk management processes Planning contingency reserves Project Baseline and Control Overview of project baseline Negotiating and the project baseline Earned value management (EVM) Project variances and actions Project control
Every employee needs to have their performance managed and it is equally important to 'catch people doing something right
Agile Business Consortium Scrum Master® Course: In-House Training This two-day course covers the principles and theory of the Scrum framework and the role of the Scrum Master. IIL is an accredited training organization (ATO) and the course is delivered by accredited trainers. APMG's accreditation processes are respected globally and accredited by UKAS. A Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum as defined in The Scrum Guide, and also is the leader who serves the Product Owner, the Development Team, and the Organization. Why APMG - Agile Business Consortium Scrum Master® Course and Certification? The course, syllabus, and learning objectives are based on The Scrum Guide - The Definitive Guide to Scrum: The Rules of the Game - created and maintained by Scrum's creators Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland Increased business (non-IT) focus of course and exercises Developed in partnership with Agile Business Consortium - leaders in promoting and enabling business agility Course is highly interactive to encourage collaboration and reinforce learning objectives Candidates can sit the examination at the end of the training course No recertification requirements. APMG Scrum Master certification does not expire. Successful candidates are entitled to free 1-year membership with the Agile Business Consortium Successful candidates can claim a digital badge and share their success online What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Gain a deep understanding of the Scrum Framework - the theory, practices, roles, rules, and values - as defined in The Scrum Guide Understand, in detail, the role of Scrum Master, and how the role interacts with different members of the Scrum Team and other stakeholders Master the Scrum principles to better understand their application when returning to the workplace Understand how to construct an effective development team with an appropriate mix of skills and experience Know how to act as a servant-leader for the Scrum Team, promoting and enabling self-organization to create high-value products. Learn how to facilitate Scrum Events and remove impediments to the Scrum Team's progress Help Scrum Product Owners shape and refine product backlogs to guide early and incremental delivery of valuable products Drive adoption of the Scrum framework for more effective product and solution development, working with stakeholders and other Scrum Masters to improve its effectiveness Day One Scrum Overview Self-Organization Agile Principles Empirical Product Development Scrum Events The Development Team Scrum Roles Day Two The Product Backlog Sprint Planning and Done Sprint Progress Scrum Simulation Growing as a Scrum Master
Project Management Fundamentals for IT Projects: In-House Training A number of factors impact the new project manager's role within IT - for instance, the need to fully integrate IT into the business improvement process and the advent of distributed technology and Business Process Reengineering. As a result, the range of activities required of a new project manager has greatly increased, as well as the range of people with whom he or she interacts. This workshop enables you to minimize the problems inherent in managing a systems development project. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Articulate the benefit of using a project management methodology, processes, and various life cycles for IT projects Articulate on various standards and maturity models that provide benefits to performing organizations that manage IT projects Describe governance, gating, and the processes required for project origination Conduct a stakeholder analysis and describe its benefits throughout the project life cycle Gather good requirements, develop a work breakdown structure (WBS), and establish a baseline project plan Execute against the baseline project plan while managing change and configuration items Monitor and control the project activities using the baseline project plan and earned value management concepts Close the project by conducting scope verification, procurement audits, gathering lessons learned, archiving project records, and releasing resources Getting Started Course goal Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Key definitions and concepts Methodologies, processes, and project life cycles Project success factors and the benefits of standards and models Project Originating and Initiating Originating projects Initiating projects Planning Stakeholder Engagement and Resource Management Planning stakeholder engagement Planning human resources management Developing effective leadership skills Planning Scope and Quality Management Planning project scope Planning project quality Planning Schedule Management Planning project time Identifying schedule activities Sequencing schedule activities Estimating activity resources and time Developing project schedule Optimizing the project schedule Planning Risk and Cost Management Planning for project risks Planning project costs Estimating project costs Developing a project budget Planning Communication and Procurement Management Planning project communications Planning project procurements Project Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing Project executing Project monitoring and controlling Project closing
Certified ScrumMaster®: In-House Training This course covers Scrum and the principles and tools required to be an effective ScrumMaster. You will come away with a good understanding of the Scrum framework and the underlying principles required to make effective decisions regarding the application of Scrum to different situations. At the end of the course, you will receive membership to the Scrum Alliance for two years and, following completion of an online test, will become a Scrum Alliance Certified ScrumMaster®. Our Certified Scrum Trainers pay the initial, two-year membership fee for each student who successfully completes our Certified ScrumMaster® course. This membership fee also covers the cost of the CSM Test. A link to the test will be sent to you following your course. The CSM test has a passing score of 37 out of 50 questions within a 60-minute timeframe. You will have two attempts within 90 days after you receive your welcome e-mail to pass the test at no cost. After two attempts or 90 days, you will be charged $25 for each additional attempt. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Provide a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of Scrum Use the principles, practices, and tools required to be an effective ScrumMaster Make effective decisions regarding the application of the Scrum framework to different situations, including: Practical, project-proven practices The essentials for getting a project off on the right foot How to write user stories and structure your product backlog How to help both new and experienced teams be more successful How to successfully scale Scrum Tips and tricks from the instructor's many years of using Scrum in a wide variety of environments Getting Started Introduction Course structure Course goals and objectives Agile Principles and Scrum Overview Agile Principles Lean Principles Process control models Incremental and Iterative development Shifting the focus on product management Overview of the Scrum process The Team Dedicated cross-functional teams T-shaped people Sprint Planning Team capacity Facilitating the Sprint Planning meeting The Sprint backlog Sprint Burndown chart Scrum Roles and Responsibilities The team and building effective teams ScrumMaster responsibilities Product Owner responsibilities The Scrum project community What happens to traditional roles in Scrum? Scrum Meetings Daily Scrum Reviews Retrospectives Product Backlog and User Stories Product backlog characteristics User stories Getting your first backlog Getting backlog items ready Slicing User stories Estimation for Forward Planning Why comparative estimation works Planning poker Affinity estimation Release Planning and Tracking Progress Velocity Release planning Tracking release progress Scaling Scrum Scrum of Scrums Scaling the product backlog Scaling across a program and business areas Distributed teams
Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM): In-House Training Do you want to take Disciplined Agile® to a new level? Are you looking for tools to solve complex problems and enhance your organization's agility? Do you want to learn how to lead your team to excellence? Expand your knowledge and build practical skills around Disciplined Agile®, business agility, leadership, and team development. Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master is a nine-lesson, instructor-led course that shows you how to use the Disciplined Agile tool kit to solve a variety of advanced problems, work with allies within your organization, and optimize how teams work. You will gain knowledge in planning, reporting and metrics, and coordinating activities, as well as how to meet challenges in these areas. And you'll develop the skills you need to foster emotional intelligence, resolve conflicts, and lead high-performance teams at any stage of development. Filled with activities, supplemental reading, and more, this course will prepare you to take the Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM) exam and, equally important, start using Disciplined Agile immediately within your leadership role. What You Will Learn After the completion of this course, you will be able to: Accelerate your ability to lead high-profile initiatives that are critical to enterprise success Take a deep dive into the Disciplined Agile® tool kit to develop a comprehensive understanding of the hundreds of practices and strategies it contains and the trade-offs of applying them Apply the Disciplined Agile tool kit in hands-on exercises to guide your team in choosing and evolving your best way of working (WoW) in real-life situations Use the tool kit to solve complex challenges commonly encountered in development and operational teams, the value stream, and at the enterprise level Learn how to design and implement metrics that measure your improvements in areas where your teams are struggling Understand how to nurture emotional intelligence Feel confident empowering others on your team(s) Learn how to lead your teams in any situation to improve value delivery for your customers Apply the Disciplined Agile tool kit to guide your team in choosing and evolving the best way of working (WoW) in the situation you face Be prepared to take the Disciplined Agile® Senior Scrum Master (DASSM) exam and earn a valuable, credible certification Roles and responsibilities of DASSM Tuckman Team Development Model Emotional intelligence and why it is essential to team performance Business agility Tactical scaling factors in more complex situations Disciplined DevOps layer 'Test-first' method as it relates to the quality of requirements Scope and purpose of the value stream layer Coordinate activities process goal and why it is important Value creation structure of teams DA™ tool kit to optimize the flow of work and solve challenges related to coordinating and collaborating across teams, or within a larger team of teams Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Resolution Planning Five levels of scope Metrics
Work Breakdown Structures: In-House Training It's amazing how often project managers begin the project planning process by making an outlined list of every task they believe will be required to complete a project and then proclaim they have created the work breakdown structure (WBS) for the project. The result is a list of hundreds, or even thousands of tasks, many of them having durations of a few days or a few hours. Essentially, what they have done is create a 'to do' list, which they then use as a 'checklist' to measure progress. This approach leads to, and even encourages, micromanagement of the resources working on the project without consideration of more critical aspects of project management such as: requirements management, risk management, procurement management, estimating, scheduling, executing, and controlling. Further, it makes it impossible to see the big picture, at levels of detail, in keeping with the needs of sponsors, clients, project and functional managers, team leaders, and project performers. Join us for this exciting program and learn how to use the WBS to make better-informed business decisions. What You Will Learn You will learn how to: Describe the need for a project WBS Describe the WBS role in the project Gain practical experience in the development, decomposition, and use of the WBS Determine the appropriate level of detail in the WBS. Explain how the WBS integrates with project requirements, risk, procurement, estimating, scheduling, and overall project execution. Provide the basic tools to enhance efficient re-use of key information in your future projects Foundation Concepts Key definitions History of the WBS Importance of the WBS Overall structure Terminology Other breakdown structures WBS tools WBS & Scope Project scope management processes Specification of the project objectives WBS design based on project deliverable WBS decomposition process and 'The 100% rule' Work Packages and Control Accounts WBS & Risk Risk management planning and WBS Risk identification to enhance the WBS Risk analysis and the WBS Risk responses and updating the WBS Implementing risk response and Monitoring risks and the WBS WBS & Estimating Use of WBS in the estimating process Components and work packages Sizing and algorithmic estimates WBS & Scheduling Component Scheduling - High-Level Milestones WBS activity decomposition WBS elements dependencies Work Package Level Schedules Responsibility assignment matrix WBS & Execution and Control Earned Value Management and tracking of work performance Progress reports, forecasts, and corrective and preventive actions used to manage work performance Necessary information to close out a project
What you Will Learn Plan and prioritize each day's activities in a more efficient, productive manner Establish strategies to execute priorities and overcome procrastination Understand how to make trade-offs when faced with fire drills How to set and communicate boundary conditions Getting Started Introductions Course orientation Participants' expectations Foundation Concepts Exercise: A day in your life Resources to implement change Mind-set Tool-set Skill-set What is your time really worth? The dynamics of procrastination The myth of multi-tasking Brain Rules - how to optimize your efficiency Organization and Prioritization Time management best practices Goal setting Exercise: Identifying your priorities The importance of organization Time management framework Prioritizing time Time Management Techniques Tips for managing time Nine ways to overcome procrastination The STING technique Managing your time o Handling unplanned urgencies o Dealing with information overload Delegation and managing others' time Creating your personal action plan Summary Course summary and next steps Applying what you have learned
Scrum Master Exam Prep This workshop prepares you for the Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master (PSM)™ I certification. A voucher for the exam and the access information you will need to take the exam will be provided to you via email after you have completed the course. NOTE: If you have participated in any of IIL's other Scrum workshops, you can bypass this program and focus on reading/studying the Scrum Guide and taking practice exams from Scrum.org. A Scrum Master helps project teams properly use the Scrum framework, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. Scrum Masters understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. Scrum Masters act as 'servant leaders', helping the rest of the Scrum Team work together and learn the Scrum framework. Scrum Masters also protect the team from both internal and external distractions. The Professional Scrum Master™ I (PSM I) certificate is a Scrum.org credential that enables successful candidates to demonstrate a fundamental level of Scrum mastery. PSM I credential holders will grasp Scrum as described inThe Scrum Guide™1 and recognize how those concepts can be applied. They will also share a consistent terminology and approach to Scrum with other certified professionals. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Successfully prepare for the Scrum.org PSM I exam Comprehend the Agile Manifesto and mindset Explain the fundamental principles of Scrum, including events, artifacts, and roles Guide the Scrum team in their responsibilities Define Ready and Done Write requirements in the form of user stories Estimate using planning poker and prioritize using MoSCoW Facilitate the team through the 5 Sprint events Fulfill the role of Scrum Master in a Scrum project Create Information Radiators to enable transparency Define the structure of the retrospective Getting Started Introductions Workshop orientation Exam prep preview Foundation Concepts Agile History, Values, and Mindset Introduction to Scrum Scrum events Scrum artifacts Scrum Roles and Responsibilities Product Owner responsibilities Scrum Master responsibilities The Team responsibilities Cross-functional teams Building effective teams The Product Backlog and User Stories The Product Backlog User Stories Definition of Done Backlog grooming Estimating User Stories Story points, planning poker Prioritizing User Stories The Sprint Team capacity and velocity The Sprint Planning Meeting The Sprint Backlog The Sprint Learning to self-manage, self-organize, self-improve Sprint Review and Retrospective Project Progress and Completion The Daily Scrum The Task Board and The Burndown Chart Information Radiators Closing a Scrum Project Summary and Next Steps Review of course goals, objectives, and content Exam prep next steps
Scrum Master Workshop: In-House Training A Scrum Master helps project teams properly use the Scrum framework, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. Scrum Masters understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. Scrum Masters act as 'servant leaders', helping the rest of the Scrum Team work together and learn the Scrum framework. Scrum Masters also protect the team from both internal and external distractions. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Comprehend the Agile Manifesto and mindset Explain the fundamental principles of Scrum Guide the Scrum team in their responsibilities Write requirements in the form of user stories Define Ready and Done Estimate using planning poker and prioritize using MoSCoW Facilitate the team through the 5 Sprint events Fulfill the role of Scrum Master in a Scrum project Create Information Radiators to enable transparency Define the structure of the retrospective Foundation Concepts Agile History, Values, and Mindset Introduction to Scrum Scrum events Scrum artifacts Scrum Roles and Responsibilities Product Owner responsibilities Scrum Master responsibilities The Team responsibilities Cross-functional Teams Building Effective Teams The Product Backlog and User Stories The Product Backlog User Stories Definition of Done Backlog grooming Estimating User Stories Story points, planning poker Prioritizing User Stories The Sprint Team capacity and velocity The Sprint Planning Meeting The Sprint Backlog The Sprint Learning to self-manage, self-organize, self-improve Sprint Review and Retrospective Project Progress and Completion The Daily Scrum The Task Board and The Burndown Chart Information Radiators Closing a Scrum Project Summary and Next Steps Review of course goals, objectives, and content