Project Management Fundamentals: In-House Training Many projects are performed by highly competent and effective people who have little or no project management training. They perform projects like process improvement, marketing campaign development, new product development, event planning and production, and other 'tasks' which are projects. Project Management Fundamentals (PMF) is designed to support those people who need a solid foundation in project management, without being unnecessarily burdened to learn it while on the job. The course offers practical skills, concepts, and principles that can be taken back to the workplace, along with insights needed to adapt them to specific project environments. In today's environment, that means possibly adapting to Agile / Iterative methods. So, we have recently added key Agile concepts to provide a basic understanding of shifting towards agility. Since PMF's course goal is to achieve quality performance by learning effective planning and control, the focus is on a process orientation and an analytical, systems-oriented approach. Together, these frameworks promote project-related problem solving and decision-making skills necessary for real world projects. They honor project needs for collaboration, clear communications among people, and interpersonal and relationship skills. Recognition of these needs are woven throughout PMF, but are highlighted in two specific areas: Module 2 - People and Projects Module 8 - Executing, Communicating, and Developing the Team What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Describe the value of strong project management Identify characteristics of a successful project and project manager Recognize how current agile / adaptive practices fit within project management Explore project management processes, including Initiating, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing Utilize project management processes and tools, based on case studies and real-world situations Create an initial project plan Use standard project management terminology Foundation Concepts Project management and definitions Value and focus of PM Competing constraints and project success Project life cycles People and Projects People and projects overview The project manager The project team People and projects in organizations Initiating and Defining Requirements Initiating the project Developing the project charter Conducting stakeholder assessments Defining requirements Using the Work Breakdown Structure Defining the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Developing a usable WBS Using the WBS Managing Project Risk Making the case for risk management Overview to planning for risk Identifying risks Analyzing risks Planning responses to risks Implementing response and monitoring risks Considerations for adaptive environments Estimating Defining an estimate Estimating approaches Estimating practices Estimating cost Validating an estimate Scheduling Defining the scheduling process and related terminology Sequencing and defining dependencies Determining the critical path Considering schedule risks and optimizing the schedule Executing, Communicating, and Developing the Team From baseline to execution Project communications and stakeholder relationships High-performing teams Monitoring and Controlling Defining monitoring and controlling Viewing control through the competing demands lens Variance Analysis and corrective action (Earned Value) Considerations in adaptive environments Closing the Project Closing projects Focusing on project transition Focusing on post-project evaluations
Microsoft Project Orange Belt® 2013 This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2013, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2013, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop provides the eBook Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft® Project 2013, and is kept up to date with the framework of knowledge outlined by the Project Management Institute's PMBOK® Guide and the Practice Standard for Scheduling. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand what's new in Project 2013 Explain where Project 2013 fits in the Microsoft® EPM solution Initialize Project 2013 to start project planning Create a well-formed project schedule Understand task types and the schedule formula Assign resources and costs to tasks Analyze resource utilization and optimize the schedule Set a baseline and track progress Create and manage project reports Customize views and fields Apply Earned Value Management Understand the basics of managing multiple projects Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Enterprise Project Management Concepts and Framework Getting Started with Project 2013 Project 2013: What's New and General Overview Setting Up a New Project Schedule (templates, options, save, etc.) Setting the Project Calendar Entering Tasks The Planning Processes Importing Tasks (Word, Excel, SharePoint) Synchronizing with SharePoint Tasks List Creating and managing the WBS (include tasks, manually scheduled tasks, summary tasks and milestones, as well as custom WBS coding) Entering Estimates Tendencies in Estimating The Rolling Wave Approach Entering Duration and Work Estimates Types of Tasks Entering Dependencies The Principle of Dynamic Scheduling Choosing the Right Type of Dependency Entering Dependencies in Project 2013 Different Applications of Dependencies Entering Deadlines, Constraints, and Task Calendars Use of Deadlines and Constraints Entering Deadlines and Constraints in Project 2013 Entering Resources and Costs Types of Resources Entering Resources in Project 2013 Calendars and Resources Entering Costs in Project 2013 Entering Assignments Assignments in a Schedule Assignments and Task Types Entering Assignments in Project 2013 Assignments, Budgets, and Costs Optimizing the Schedule The Critical Path Method and the Resource Critical Path Resource Leveling Optimizing Time, Cost, and Resources in Project 2013 Updating the Schedule The Baseline Updating Strategies and Situations Prepare the Status and Forecast Report in Project 2013 Reporting Using Reports Using Visual Reports Formatting and Printing in Project 2013 Customizing Fields in Project 2013 Earned Value Management (EVM) Overview of EVM Applying EVM with Project 2013 Evaluating the Project Evaluating the Project Performance Project Benefits and Results Templates for Future Projects Summary Tools and Checklist Best Practices Checklist Consolidated Schedules Creating Consolidated Schedules Using a Resource Pool Links across Projects Solving common problems Analyzing the Critical Path across Projects
Microsoft Project Orange Belt® 2016 This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2016, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2016, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop provides the eBook Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft® Project 2013, and is kept up to date with the framework of knowledge outlined by the Project Management Institute's PMBOK® Guide and the Practice Standard for Scheduling. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand what's new in Project 2016 Explain where Project 2016 fits in the Microsoft® EPM solution Initialize Project 2016 to start project planning Create a well-formed project schedule Understand task types and the schedule formula Assign resources and costs to tasks Analyze resource utilization and optimize the schedule Set a baseline and track progress Create and manage project reports Customize views and fields Apply Earned Value Management Understand the basics of managing multiple projects Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Concepts of Project Management Getting Started with Project 2016 Project 2016: What's New and General Overview Setting Up a New Project Schedule (templates, options, save, etc.) Setting the Project Calendar Entering Tasks The planning processes Importing tasks (Word, Excel, SharePoint) Synchronizing with SharePoint Tasks List Creating and managing the WBS (include tasks, manually scheduled tasks, summary tasks, milestones, and custom WBS coding) Entering Estimates Tendencies in estimating The rolling wave approach Entering duration and work estimates Types of tasks Entering Dependencies The principle of dynamic scheduling Choosing the right Type of dependency Entering dependencies in Project 2016 Different applications of dependencies Entering Deadlines, Constraints, and Task Calendars Use of deadlines and constraints Entering deadlines and constraints in Project 2016 Entering Resources and Costs Types of resources Entering resources in Project 2016 Calendars and resources Entering costs in Project 2016 Entering Assignments Assignments in a schedule Assignments and task types Entering assignments in Project 2016 Assignments, budgets, and costs Optimizing the Schedule The critical path method (CPM) and the resource critical path (RCP) Resource leveling Optimizing time, cost, and resources in Project 2016 Updating the Schedule The baseline Updating strategies and situations Prepare the status and forecast report in Project 2016 Reporting Using reports Using Visual Reports Formatting and printing in Project 2016 Customizing fields in Project 2016 Earned Value Management (EVM) Overview of EVM Applying EVM with Project 2016 Evaluating the Project Evaluating the project performance Project benefits and results Templates for future projects Summary and Next steps Tools and checklist Best practices checklist Certification options
ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve: In-House Training The ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan, and Improve course is based on the ITIL® 4 Strategist Direct, Plan, and Improve candidate syllabus from AXELOS. This course is based on the ITIL® 4 Strategist: Direct, Plan and Improve IT exam specifications from AXELOS. With the help of ITIL® 4 concepts and terminology, exercises, and examples included in the course, candidates acquire the relevant knowledge required to pass the certification exam. This course provides the practical skills necessary to create a 'learning and improving' IT organization, with a strong and effective strategic direction. It was designed to provide practitioners with a practical and strategic method for planning and delivering continual improvement with necessary agility. It covers both practical and strategic elements, making it the universal module that is a key component to both ITIL® 4 Managing Professional and ITIL® 4 Strategic Leader streams. What You Will Learn At the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the key concepts of direction, planning, improvement Understand the scope of what is to be directed and/or planned and know how to use key principles and methods of direction and planning in that context Understand the role of GRC and know how to integrate the principles and methods into the service value system Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of continual improvement for all types of improvements Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of Communication and Organizational Change Management to direction, planning and improvement Understand and know how to use the key principles and methods of measurement and reporting in direction, planning, and improvement Understand and know how to direct, plan, and improve value streams and practices Course Introduction Let's Get to Know Each Other Course Overview ITIL® 4 Certification Scheme Course Learning Objectives Course Components Course Agenda Exercises Case Study: Axle Car Hire Case Study: HandyPerson on Demand Exam Details Core Concepts of DPI Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Basics of Direction Basics of Planning Basics of Improvement Other Core Elements DPI through Service Value Chain and Guiding Principles Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives DPI of the SVS DPI of Guiding Principles Role of Direction in Strategy Management Key Terms Covered in the Module Introducing Strategy Management Developing Effective Strategies Implementation of Strategies Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Managing Risks Making Decisions through Portfolio Management Directing via Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Introduction to Assessment and Planning Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Core Concepts of Assessment Conducting Effective Assessments Core Concepts of Planning Assessment and Planning through VSM Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Introducing VSM Developing Value Stream Maps Knowing More About VSM Measurement, Reporting, and Continual Improvement Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Measurement and Reporting Alignment of Measurements and Metrics Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators Continual Improvement Measurements and Continual Improvement through Dimensions and SVS Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Measurements for the Four Dimensions Continual Improvement of the Service Value Chain and Practices OCM Principles and Methods Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Basics of OCM OCM throughout DPI and Service Value Chain Resistance and Reinforcement Communication Principles and Methods Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Basics of Effective Communication Communication with Stakeholders SVS Development Using Four Dimensions Key Terms Covered in the Module Module Learning Objectives Organizations and People in the SVS Partners and Suppliers in the SVS Value Streams and Processes in the SVS Information and Technology in the SVS
Microsoft Project Orange Belt® 2013: In-House Training This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2013, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2013, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop provides the eBook Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft® Project 2013, and is kept up to date with the framework of knowledge outlined by the Project Management Institute's PMBOK® Guide and the Practice Standard for Scheduling. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand what's new in Project 2013 Explain where Project 2013 fits in the Microsoft® EPM solution Initialize Project 2013 to start project planning Create a well-formed project schedule Understand task types and the schedule formula Assign resources and costs to tasks Analyze resource utilization and optimize the schedule Set a baseline and track progress Create and manage project reports Customize views and fields Apply Earned Value Management Understand the basics of managing multiple projects Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Enterprise Project Management Concepts and Framework Getting Started with Project 2013 Project 2013: What's New and General Overview Setting Up a New Project Schedule (templates, options, save, etc.) Setting the Project Calendar Entering Tasks The Planning Processes Importing Tasks (Word, Excel, SharePoint) Synchronizing with SharePoint Tasks List Creating and managing the WBS (include tasks, manually scheduled tasks, summary tasks and milestones, as well as custom WBS coding) Entering Estimates Tendencies in Estimating The Rolling Wave Approach Entering Duration and Work Estimates Types of Tasks Entering Dependencies The Principle of Dynamic Scheduling Choosing the Right Type of Dependency Entering Dependencies in Project 2013 Different Applications of Dependencies Entering Deadlines, Constraints, and Task Calendars Use of Deadlines and Constraints Entering Deadlines and Constraints in Project 2013 Entering Resources and Costs Types of Resources Entering Resources in Project 2013 Calendars and Resources Entering Costs in Project 2013 Entering Assignments Assignments in a Schedule Assignments and Task Types Entering Assignments in Project 2013 Assignments, Budgets, and Costs Optimizing the Schedule The Critical Path Method and the Resource Critical Path Resource Leveling Optimizing Time, Cost, and Resources in Project 2013 Updating the Schedule The Baseline Updating Strategies and Situations Prepare the Status and Forecast Report in Project 2013 Reporting Using Reports Using Visual Reports Formatting and Printing in Project 2013 Customizing Fields in Project 2013 Earned Value Management (EVM) Overview of EVM Applying EVM with Project 2013 Evaluating the Project Evaluating the Project Performance Project Benefits and Results Templates for Future Projects Summary Tools and Checklist Best Practices Checklist Consolidated Schedules Creating Consolidated Schedules Using a Resource Pool Links across Projects Solving common problems Analyzing the Critical Path across Projects
Microsoft Project Orange Belt® 2016: In-House Training This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2016, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop gives participants a full insight into creating effective schedules using Microsoft® Project 2016, allowing you to estimate, coordinate, budget, staff, and control projects and support other users. This workshop provides the eBook Dynamic Scheduling with Microsoft® Project 2013, and is kept up to date with the framework of knowledge outlined by the Project Management Institute's PMBOK® Guide and the Practice Standard for Scheduling. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Understand what's new in Project 2016 Explain where Project 2016 fits in the Microsoft® EPM solution Initialize Project 2016 to start project planning Create a well-formed project schedule Understand task types and the schedule formula Assign resources and costs to tasks Analyze resource utilization and optimize the schedule Set a baseline and track progress Create and manage project reports Customize views and fields Apply Earned Value Management Understand the basics of managing multiple projects Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Concepts of Project Management Getting Started with Project 2016 Project 2016: What's New and General Overview Setting Up a New Project Schedule (templates, options, save, etc.) Setting the Project Calendar Entering Tasks The planning processes Importing tasks (Word, Excel, SharePoint) Synchronizing with SharePoint Tasks List Creating and managing the WBS (include tasks, manually scheduled tasks, summary tasks, milestones, and custom WBS coding) Entering Estimates Tendencies in estimating The rolling wave approach Entering duration and work estimates Types of tasks Entering Dependencies The principle of dynamic scheduling Choosing the right Type of dependency Entering dependencies in Project 2016 Different applications of dependencies Entering Deadlines, Constraints, and Task Calendars Use of deadlines and constraints Entering deadlines and constraints in Project 2016 Entering Resources and Costs Types of resources Entering resources in Project 2016 Calendars and resources Entering costs in Project 2016 Entering Assignments Assignments in a schedule Assignments and task types Entering assignments in Project 2016 Assignments, budgets, and costs Optimizing the Schedule The critical path method (CPM) and the resource critical path (RCP) Resource leveling Optimizing time, cost, and resources in Project 2016 Updating the Schedule The baseline Updating strategies and situations Prepare the status and forecast report in Project 2016 Reporting Using reports Using Visual Reports Formatting and printing in Project 2016 Customizing fields in Project 2016 Earned Value Management (EVM) Overview of EVM Applying EVM with Project 2016 Evaluating the Project Evaluating the project performance Project benefits and results Templates for future projects Summary and Next steps Tools and checklist Best practices checklist Certification options
Agile Sprint Planning The goal of the course is to provide you and your team with the ability to develop effective and realistic Sprint plans. Without effective Sprint Plans, iterations are set up for failure. But Sprint Planning cannot be improved on its own, in isolation. The Scrum processes are highly intertwined and influence each other. The surrounding artifacts, events, and roles must be examined closely, and enhanced, in order to improve Sprint Planning. This course will remind you of the theory to reinforce the principles, but will concentrate on next-level skills, so that you and the team are able to create realistic and usable Sprint Plans. This course is not introductory. You are already aware of the Scrum framework and have been implementing Scrum on your projects. Now is the time to improve efficiency and effectiveness, to facilitate successful Agile projects. What you will Learn You'll learn how to: Identify and correlate the key symptoms and root causes of ineffective sprint plans Improve key Product Backlog elements Evaluate Agile roles in sprint planning Appraise key product practices Enhance project transparency The Product Backlog User stories Acceptance Criteria Backlog Refinement Supporting Roles Product Owner (the Backlog) Development Team Stakeholders and SMEs Supporting Product Practices Roadmaps and release plans and story maps Definition of Done Technical Debt Transparency Daily Scrums Information radiators Retrospectives Sprint Planning Capacity and Velocity Sprint Planning Meetings The Sprint Backlog Summary What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Strategic Thinking The goal of this course is to provide you with the building blocks and the motivation to develop the critical skill of strategic thinking. The participants will consider a four-part model that distinguishes strategic thinking from strategic planning and managing. With that understanding, you will investigate the critical components of strategic thinking and how to apply it effectively. What you Will Learn Define strategic thinking and distinguish it from strategic planning and management Explain a high-level approach to gaining strategic thinking skills Integrate other interpersonal skills, such as self-awareness, systems thinking, leadership, constructive conflict, and collaboration, into the fabric of strategic thinking skills Select appropriate techniques to apply strategic thinking in specific situations Recognize and emulate effective strategic thinking behaviors Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Interactive event: Define Strategic Thinking (ST) Interactive event: Discuss relationship of ST with Strategic Planning, Management and Decision Making Strategic Level Framework - Tying it all together Strategic thinking attributes Strategic Thinking Critical Success Factors Strategic Thinking Critical Success Factors - 5-part model Strategic Thinking and the Organization Critical Success Factors Model applied to an organization Tools Introduction (5): Environmental, 5 Forces, SWOT, Value Proposition, Integral Theory of Worldview Video: Fog of War Strategic Thinking and the Individual Critical Success Factors Model applied to an individual Tools Introduction (5): Thinking Styles, Six Thinking Hats, Reverse Thinking, Systems Thinking, Integral Theory of Worldview Strategic Thinking at the Interpersonal and Team Levels Emotional Intelligence - Self Awareness and Working With Others Team Leadership and Trust Constructive Conflict as the Gateway to Collaboration Interactive event: Testing the Models - Challenge Perspective; What's Missing Applying the critical skill of Strategic Thinking Worldview: Team versus client Trusted Advisor Interactive event: Doing what is asked (Case study, wherein participants review the default case scenario prepared for this workshop and add specific details to make the scenario more relevant to their experiences / needs. Teams develop an action plan for applying ST concepts and techniques they have learned here to the situation, then compare and contrast results.)
Strategic Thinking (In-Person) The goal of this course is to provide you with the building blocks and the motivation to develop the critical skill of strategic thinking. The participants will consider a four-part model that distinguishes strategic thinking from strategic planning and managing. With that understanding, you will investigate the critical components of strategic thinking and how to apply it effectively. What You Will Learn You will learn how to: Define strategic thinking and distinguish it from strategic planning and management Explain a high-level approach to gaining strategic thinking skills Integrate other interpersonal skills, such as self-awareness, systems thinking, leadership, constructive conflict, and collaboration, into the fabric of strategic thinking skills Select appropriate techniques to apply strategic thinking in specific situations Recognize and emulate effective strategic thinking behaviors Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Interactive event: Define Strategic Thinking (ST) Interactive event: Discuss relationship of ST with Strategic Planning, Management and Decision Making Strategic Level Framework - Tying it all together Strategic thinking attributes Strategic Thinking Critical Success Factors Strategic Thinking Critical Success Factors - 5-part model Strategic Thinking and the Organization Critical Success Factors Model applied to an organization Tools Introduction (5): Environmental, 5 Forces, SWOT, Value Proposition, Integral Theory of Worldview Video: Fog of War Strategic Thinking and the Individual Critical Success Factors Model applied to an individual Tools Introduction (5): Thinking Styles, Six Thinking Hats, Reverse Thinking, Systems Thinking, Integral Theory of Worldview Strategic Thinking at the Interpersonal and Team Levels Emotional Intelligence - Self Awareness and Working With Others Team Leadership and Trust Constructive Conflict as the Gateway to Collaboration Interactive event: Testing the Models - Challenge Perspective; What's Missing Applying the critical skill of Strategic Thinking Worldview: Team versus client Trusted Advisor Interactive event: Doing what is asked (Case study, wherein participants review the default case scenario prepared for this workshop and add specific details to make the scenario more relevant to their experiences / needs. Teams develop an action plan for applying ST concepts and techniques they have learned here to the situation, then compare and contrast results.)
Businesses that don't control their costs don't stay in business. How well are you doing? Is everyone in your organisation sufficiently aware of costs, managing them effectively and maximising opportunities to reduce them? If there is scope for improvement, this course will help get you back on track. It will demonstrate that cost reduction is so much more than cost control and cost cutting. True cost management is about being aware of costs, seeking to reduce them through good design and efficient operating practices whilst taking continuing action on overspending. This course will develop the participants' skills in: Being aware of costs at all times Seeking cost reduction from the start (including life-cycle costing) Appraising projects / production to identify and take out risk Understanding real budgeting Using techniques such as ZBB and ABC where appropriate Ensuring cost reports lead to action Managing a cost reduction process that delivers Benefits to the organisation will include: Identification of cost reduction and business improvement opportunities Better reporting and ownership of costs Greater awareness and control of everyday costs 1 Introduction - the cost management process The risks of poor cost control Capital and revenue costs The importance of cost awareness The importance of cost reduction Cost management - the key aspects How to build a cost management and control process checklist for your areas of responsibility 2 Cost removal - taking out costs Cost awareness Costs of poor design / poor processes Value engineering Removing redundant costs 3 The need for commercial, technical and financial appraisals Understand the problems before cash is committed and costs incurred Making the effort to identify commercial and technical risk The time value of money - DCF techniques for long term projects Cost models for production processes and projects Costing models - project appraisals The use of spreadsheets to identify sensitivity and risk How to focus on risk management 4 Budgeting - proper budgeting challenges costs The philosophy of the business - are costs an issue? The importance of having the right culture The need for detailed business objectives Budgetary control measures Designing budget reports - for action 5 Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) - the principles Much more than starting with a clean sheet of paper What ZBB can achieve The concept of decision packages - to challenge business methods and costs Only necessary costs should be incurred A review of an operating budget - demonstrating what ZBB challenges and the costs it may lead to being taken out 6 Awareness of overheads and other costs Definitions of cost - direct and indirect Dealing with overheads - what is meant by allocation, absorption or apportionment? The apparent and real problems with overheads Different ways of dealing with overheads Review of overhead allocation methods and accounting and reporting issues 7 Overheads and product costing Activity-based costing (ABC) - the principles Where and how the ABC approach may be helpful Know the 'true' cost of a product or a project Should you be in business? Will you stay in business? Identifying weaknesses in a traditional overhead allocation How ABC will help improve product or service costing Identifying which products and activities should be developed and which abandoned 8 Cost reduction culture The need for cost reports What measures can be used to identify over-spends as early as possible Cost control performance measures and ratios 9 Design of cost control reports Reports should lead to action and deliver Selecting cost control measures which can be acted upon Practice in designing action reports 10 Course summary - developing your own cost action plan Group and individual action plans will be prepared with a view to participants identifying their cost risks areas and the techniques which can be immediately applied to improve costing and reduce costs