This Strategy Challenge workshop is designed to provide an opportunity for senior management teams to practice and develop their strategic thinking skills - individually and collectively. It gives a 'safe space' and uses examples designed to 'stretch the strategic thinking muscles'
When managers have too many decisions to make, it can have a serious impact on the speed and efficiency of the organisation. When those decisions are commercial ones, the results can wreak havoc with the bottom line. Often the problem arises when those below them or in operational areas of the organisation aren't equipped or allowed to make a decision for themselves. Issues get passed back up and that wastes time. This programme provides a solution, giving your entire team the skills to: And most importantly, they'll be able to do this in line with the broader aims and commercial objectives of the business. By the end of the programme participants will be able to: Fully appreciate the importance of effective decision-making in business Use the five-step 'Stop, Think, Act!' decision-making process Stop leaping to conclusions Really understand the situations and decisions they are dealing with Identify good options Evaluate those options Make decisions and then put them into action Apply these tools and techniques to all their decisions in future 1 Understanding the business we work in What are the critical factors in our business? What is the SWOT analysis for our business? 2 Understanding what decision-making is 3 Background Culture of 'having to be doing' To change things we have to think about it! We are paid to make decisions! 4 Recognise the opportunity to make a decision 5 The 'Stop, Think, Act!' technique 6 STOP! Recognise the opportunity to make a decision Don't leap to conclusions Get ready to think Initial questions:Is this my decision? (Do I have the authority?)Who is this going to affect? (Do they need to be included?)When do I need to make the decision? (What's the timeline?) 7 THINK! The 3 Cs - making sure we understand the decisions we have to make What is the context of this decision?What is the overall situation?Why is this decision important?What do we need to achieve?What will success look like? Do I have clarity about the decision I need to make?Can I write it down?Can I express it clearly in two sentences? What are the criteria?What are the critical commercial factors that we will use to select our options?What will we use to measure the business success? 8 ACT! Identifying options What data do I need to collect?Issues with today's overloadIdentifying what will help you Select optionsHow many options?Must match your criteriaMust achieve success'Decision compass' exercise Analyse optionsTabular methodRisk analysis (likelihood v effect)Head, heart and gut (is there any organisational history/bias that we are up against?) Making your decision Taking it to actionFirst actionsPlanning how to make it happen
PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation: In-House Training PRINCE2 Agile® provides structure, governance, and control when working with agile concepts, methods, and techniques. It is a solution combining the flexibility and responsiveness of Agile with the clearly defined framework of PRINCE2. PRINCE2 Agile® framework covers a wide range of agile concepts, including SCRUM, Kanban, and Lean Startup. The PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation certificate is designed to help professionals deliver agile projects by tailoring PRINCE2® management controls with a broad toolset of agile delivery techniques and frameworks. PRINCE2 Agile® is an extension module tailored for forward-thinking organizations and individuals already benefiting from PRINCE2®. It provides further guidance on how to apply agile methods to the world's most recognized project management method. The purpose of the Practitioner qualification is to demonstrate that you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 Agile® in a scenario situation. What you will Learn Understand the key aspects of PRINCE2® Understand basic concepts behind common agile ways of working Demonstrate the purpose of combining PRINCE2® with agile Be able to fix and flex the aspects of a project in an agile context Apply the PRINCE2® principles and tailor the themes, processes, and management products to a project in an agile context Incorporate the areas that can support a PRINCE2 Agile® implementation To prepare Participants for the PRINCE2 Agile® Foundation exam Benefits Agile methods allow organizations to realize the benefits of products and potentially an earlier return on investment while products are being developed and improved. Improved communication through the use of common terminology across PRINCE2® and agile disciplines. Develop a clear definition of how agile can govern a project's delivery, while PRINCE2® governs projects as a whole. Seamless integration: PRINCE2 Agile® will complementPMBOK® GuideandAPM Body of Knowledge®just as PRINCE2® does currently. It will also be of interest for Program Managers with MSP® who need to understand how projects relate to the delivery mechanism. The most up-to-date and relevant view of Agile project management methodologies, PRINCE2 Agile® references the 'flow-based' working featured in Kanban in addition to other agile concepts not covered in other qualifications. Introduction - Getting Started Part 1 An overview of PRINCE2 Agile Overview Blending PRINCE2 and Agile What to fix and what to flex Part 2 Agile behaviors ad the PRINCE2 Principles Agile and the PRINCE2 Themes Part 3 Focus areas Agile and the PRINCE2 Processes Examination preparation Examination. Summary - What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environment?
AgilePM® Practitioner: In-House Training This course offers preparation for the Practitioner-level examination to gain the APMG-International™ / Agile Project Management Practitioner Certification. Agile Project Management (AgilePM) is the result of collaboration between APMG-International and The DSDM Consortium. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is the longest-established Agile method, launched in 1995, and is the only Agile method to focus on the management of Agile projects. The method has evolved over the years and the DSDM Agile Project Framework is the latest version of which AgilePM is a subset. DSDM has always operated predominantly in the corporate environment and has consistently demonstrated its ability to successfully work with and complement existing corporate processes. APMG-International is a global Examination Institute accredited by The APM Group Ltd. It is one of the Examination Institutes accredited by AXELOS. APMG-International has regional offices located in Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Their portfolio of qualifications includes the Best Practice qualifications of ITIL®, PRINCE2®, MSP®, M_o_R®, and P3O®. AgilePM is one of their specialist management qualifications, which also include Change Management and Service Catalogue. The course covers all the Practitioner elements of the AgilePM Handbook v2 with: Clear explanations of the method and practical examples provided by your course tutor Sample exam paper for the Practitioner-level exams to enrich your knowledge and understanding A case study to allow you to practice the application of the method to an agile project The Traditional Classroom option includes the Practitioner exam to provide you with the right opportunity to verify your new skill set by way of a professional qualification The Virtual Classroom option includes a Practitioner exam voucher to allow you to choose the date and time of your online exam to verify your new skill set by way of a professional qualification What You Will Learn You will learn how to: Identify and apply the concepts, tools, and techniques described in Section 2 (Digging Deeper) of the APMG-International's Agile Project Management Handbook (v2.0) to agile projects Tailor and customize AgilePM to suit the needs of different projects Use AgilePM in conjunction with other project management methods such as PRINCE2® Prepare yourself for the Practitioner exam in AgilePM Roles and Responsibilities - The PM View The roles Key project manager relationships Agile Project Management - Through the Lifecycle The DSDM process and the project lifecycle Project management focus phase by phase The Effective Use of Products The products Deliver on Time - Combining MoSCoW & Timeboxing Ensuring effective prioritisation Bringing MoSCoW and timeboxing together People, Teams, and Interactions Effective communication Collaboration Requirements and User Stories What is a requirement? User stories Estimating - How and When Coping with uncertainty Estimating through the lifecycle Project Planning through the Lifecycle Planning in a DSDM project Planning activities phase by phase Quality - Never Compromise Quality What do we mean by quality? Solution and process quality Risk Management Project risk How DSDM helps mitigate project risk Tailoring the Approach The project approach questionnaire Summary and Next Steps
Managing Multiple Projects: In-House Training Succeeding in today's competitive marketplace often requires cycle time reduction - reducing the duration of projects and getting results faster. This workshop will address managing multiple projects within the context of program or product management. Are your projects taking longer and longer to complete? Are results less than optimal because of time pressures on resources? Would you like to increase project 'throughout'? Succeeding in today's competitive marketplace often requires cycle time reduction - reducing the duration of projects and getting results faster. This workshop will address managing multiple projects within the context of program or product management. Planning and managing individual projects is challenging. When introducing the real-life limitation of resources and other outside influences into the multi-project environment, those challenges are magnified, and new challenges are introduced. This interactive workshop will position you for immediate action. The goal of this course is to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques so that you can effectively and productively manage multiple projects. What you Will Learn You'll learn how to: Manage stakeholder relationships and expectations Prioritize and sequence multiple projects Manage time and stress within a multiple project environment Effectively manage logical dependencies among projects Optimize the use of resources across multiple projects using concepts from Critical Chain methods Manage risk and communications in a multiple project environment Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Foundation Concepts Portfolio, program, and project management principles The multiple project environment The MMP Process Model Developing the Multiple Project List Multiple project portfolio management Project selection Project categories and types The multiple project list Multiple Project Logical Dependencies Project dependencies Types of multiple project portfolios Categories of logical dependencies across multiple projects Project priorities in the multiple project schedule Multiple Project Resource Management Multiple project resources and resource management concepts Multiple project resource loading Resource pool and resource database Multiple project resource issues and outsourcing Critical chain resource management, including drum resources and multi-tasking Managing Risk Across Multiple Projects Multiple project risk management process Identifying, assessing, and responding to multiple project risks Critical chain and multiple project risks Risk interrelationship management methods Creating and Executing the Multiple Project Plan The multiple project plan Multiple project scheduling Multiple project budgeting Executing and maintaining the multiple project plan Controlling in the multiple project environment Tools in multiple project management Multiple Project Communications Effective communication in the multiple project environment Common communication barriers Multiple project communications plan Resolving multiple project conflicts Summary and Next Steps What did we learn, and how can we implement this in our work environments?
Certified Scrum Professional®-ScrumMaster® (CSP®-SM): In-House Training Certified Scrum Professionals challenge their teams to improve the way Scrum and Agile principles are applied. They have demonstrated experience, documented training, and proven knowledge in Scrum. Are you ready to take your knowledge and skillset in your role as Scrum Master to the next level? If so, it's time to elevate your career further by earning the Certified Scrum Professional®-ScrumMaster (CSP®-SM) certification. What you will Learn Learn to find practical solutions and improve your implementation of Scrum in the workplace. Aside from the pride gained and earning potential of attaining CSP® level, you can also: Attend exclusive CSP® events with other leaders in Scrum and Agile Attract more recruiters and command a higher rate of pay Establish a gateway and milestone toward becoming CST®, CEC, or CTC Receive a free premium subscription to the world's largest Agile assessment and continuous improvement platform, Comparative Agility®
Overview Having a detailed understanding of financial statements is critical to assessing financial risk, and the rate of change in financial statement standards makes this a continuing challenge for users. This course brings together the key elements of financial statement analysis to help participants develop their skills in this area and enable them to ask the right questions to really get under the skin and see the real risks facing businesses and investors in these challenging times. The reference reporting framework used will be IFS.
Managing Benefits™ Foundation: In-House Training The APMG International Managing Benefits and Swirl Device logo is a trademark of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved. Benefits are not simply just one aspect of project and programme management (PPM) - rather, they are the rationale for the investment of taxpayers' and shareholders' funds in change initiatives. Managing Benefits is designed to complement existing best practices in portfolio, programme and project management (such as PRINCE2®, MSP®, P3O® & MoP®), and consolidates existing guidance while expanding on the specific practices and techniques aimed at optimizing benefits realization. The purpose of the Managing Benefits guidance and certification scheme is to provide you with generally applicable guidance encompassing benefits management principles, practices, and techniques, and to prepare you to take and pass the Foundation exam on the last day. Managing Benefits provides: An overview of benefits management - what it is, the case for doing it, and some common misconceptions that can limit its effectiveness in practice Descriptions of the seven principles upon which successful approaches to benefits management are built, and examples of how they have been applied in practice Guidance on how to apply benefits management at a portfolio level, as well as at an individual project or programme level Details of the five practices in the Benefits Management Cycle and examples of how they have been applied in practice Advice on how to get started in implementing effective benefits management practices and sustain progress What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Define benefits, benefits management and related terms, and the objectives of benefits management Explain the principles upon which successful approaches to benefits management are based Define the practices contained within the Benefits Management Cycle and relevant techniques applicable to each practice Describe key elements of portfolio-based benefits management, as well as the scope of key roles and responsibilities for benefits management and the typical contents of the main benefits management documentation Identify barriers to effective benefits management and strategies to overcome them, including the key success characteristics of benefits management Improve your ability to pass the APMG Managing Benefits Foundation Certification exam Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Overview of Managing Benefits The Benefits Management Model Key Benefits Management Practices What is Benefits Management? Definitions Value and Value Management Why do we need benefits management? Objectives Benefits Management Principles Align benefits with strategy Start with the end in mind Utilize successful delivery methods Integrate benefits with performance management Manage benefits from a portfolio perspective Apply effective governance Develop a value culture The Benefits Management Cycle Barriers to effective and efficient benefits management and overcoming them Key success characteristics of effective benefits management Key roles, responsibilities, and documentation Benefits Management Practice 1 - Identify and Quantify Benefits Management Practice 2 - Value and Appraise Benefits Management Practice 3 - Plan Benefits Management Practice 4 - Realize Benefits Management Practice 5 - Review Portfolio-based Benefits Management Implementing and Sustaining Progress APMG Managing Benefits Foundation Exam
Project Risk Management: In-House Training Have you been surprised by unplanned events during your projects? Are you and your project team frequently fighting fires? Well, you are not alone. Uncertainty exists in any project environment. While it's impossible to predict project outcomes with 100% certainty, you can influence the outcome, avoid potential risks, and be ready to respond to challenges that arise. In this course, you'll gain the proper knowledge needed to identify, assess, plan for, and monitor risk in your projects. You'll learn how to set up and implement risk management processes, helping you to minimize uncertainty and achieve more consistent, predictable outcomes as a result. What You Will Learn You'll learn how to: Demonstrate to others how the risk management processes in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) apply to your project's environment, especially for high-risk projects Adapt these processes for a particular high-risk project team's operating principles Explain the importance of using risk management best practices at single and enterprise project levels Lead an initiative to implement risk management best practices in your project environment Foundation Concepts Risk-related definitions The risk management process High-risk projects and project failures Classical failures in implementing risk management Plan Risk Management Project risk management and governance Risk management planning for high-risk projects High-risk variations on a risk management plan Identify Risk Adapting the risk identification process for high-risk projects Recognizing risks spontaneously Confirming and structuring risk events for treatment Wrapping up risk identification for high-risk projects Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis Adapting qualitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Accelerating risk analysis Clearing risk action Wrapping up qualitative risk analysis for the next level Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis Adapting quantitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Ensuring effective risk analyses with data quality assessments Building a foundation for quantitative risk analysis Using discrete quantitative tools Using continuous quantitative tools Wrapping up quantitative risk analysis for high-risk projects Plan Risk Responses Adapting risk response planning for high-risk projects Optimizing active risk response strategies Leveraging contingencies for high project performance Wrapping up risk response planning for high-risk projects Implement Risk Responses Implementing Risk Responses Process Executing Risk Response Plans Tools and Techniques Best Practices Continuous Risk Management Monitor Risks Adapting risk monitoring for high-risk projects Optimizing risk plan maintenance Weaving risk reassessment into the project's progress Maintaining a continuous 'vigil' in high-risk project environments
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