Learn how to use Microsoft Project to create and resource robust project plans and how to maintain and track throughout the project lifecycle. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Our Project Planning and Control course gives you the essential skills to use Microsoft Project to build, resource and monitor project schedules. It looks at initial setup, building plans, using a work breakdown structure and managing resources through to baselining and progressing your schedule. This course is designed for new or existing users of Microsoft Project, and no previous experience of Project is required. Knowledge of planning techniques would be an advantage. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create project schedules Build a Work Breakdown Structure Create relationships Set baselines Manage resources Set deadlines and task properties Print and report on your project Update and track project schedules Content Creating a new project Project defaults Project start date Setting default hours per day/week Setting daily working times Project timeline Building a project Creating a work breakdown structure Adding tasks and durations Estimated durations Setting milestones Recurring tasks Linking, Baselining and Resourcing Setting start dates and dependencies Task Inspector Resourcing Assigning resources Filtering available resources Baseline Setting a baseline Removing a baseline Managing resources Resource properties Dealing with over allocations Tasking information Constraint dates Setting deadline Assigning task specific calendars Task types Updating your project Completing work Completing work per resource Updating tasks Updating the project Rescheduling work Change highlighting Printing and reporting Setup and Printing Visual reports Using the Timeline Creating Dashboard reports
Use some of the hidden statistical analysis tools within Excel to build complex data models. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This advanced Excel course looks at some of the statistical analysis tools available and gives examples of when they might be used. This course is aimed at advanced users of Excel who work with statistical data often and have a good knowledge of Maths. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Use Goal Seek Create and view scenarios Use Forecast Sheet Create single and double input data tables Create models using the solver Install and use the Analysis Toolpak Create and use array formulas Use a range of advanced Financial and Statistical Excel functions Content Using what if analysis options Using Goal Seek Creating, saving and viewing scenarios Generating a Forecast sheet Solver Creating models Projecting scenarios with Solver Using data tables Creating single input data tables Creating double input data tables Projecting with data tables Financial functions PMT FV NPV Analysing data with Analysis ToolPak Installing the Analysis Toolpak Generating statistical analysis Visualising data using Histograms Array formulas Using embedded Excel Array formulas Create an Array formula Multi and single cell Array formula Using TRANSPOSE to flip rows or columns Use the FREQUENCY Function Use an array to count unique entries in a range Dynamic arrays Spilling data Using the new dynamic array functions Advance functions in formulas Statistical functions:MEAN, MEDIAN and MODERANKLARGE and SMALLMODPERCENTILE Use the AGGREGATE function to sum data in ranges with errors
Look at the in depth features of charts and some specialist tools to make your charts come to life. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Our Excel Charting Specialist course examines how to unlock the full potential of Charts in Excel. It investigates the useful tools needed for creating bespoke Charts, allowing you to creatively present data more visually. By the end of the course, you will have an awareness of the tools used for creating more advanced Charts and will be able to create your own Dynamic Charts. The course is designed for existing users of Excel who are looking at more advanced ways to visualise data in Excel using Charts. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create and Amend Charts Format multiple areas of a Chart Use a Combo Chart Apply Conditional Formatting to a Chart Create Dynamic Charts Work with Custom Formatting Create an Advanced Dynamic Chart Content Creating and amending charts Creating Simple Charts Using the Chart Design tab Adding Chart Elements Changing the type of Chart Formatting charts Format Chart Area Format Data Series Format Data Point Format Axis Working with combo charts Adding additional data to a Chart Customising Chart types Creating Clustered Column/line Charts Applying conditional formatting on charts Using IF Statements Highlighting Max/Min Data points in Charts Using Series Overlap Dynamic charts Creating dynamic Target vs Actual Charts Introducing the NA function Hiding data used for Charts Custom formatting charts Formatting Data Labels Customising number formats Using Trend Arrows to show changes Editing Format Code Advanced dynamic charts Pivot Chart rules Creating a Pivot Chart Working with your Pivot Chart Creating calculations Combining all elements to create an Advanced Chart Using Error Bars to create a line Adding a scroll bar and linking with data
Develop the commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, to influence the direction of the business Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) This course is aimed at managers who want to develop their commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, so that they can influence the direction of their business and deliver to their full potential. Day one of the course provides the skills and insights to make sense of your company’s financial position and performance. Day two helps delegates to consider the strategic thinking tools required to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. As well as looking at how to make effective business decisions, this course gives a good grounding in finance and profitability. As a two day programme, day one provides the skills and insights to make sense of the company’s financial position and performance. Day two then considers the strategic thinking tools needed to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: An understanding of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow and statutory and management accounts Learnt to correctly employment key financial ratios to analyse your business A practical definition of strategy analysis tools to examine the current environment and capabilities Steps to devise a mission and vision statement Recognition of the skills and resources needed to achieve the vision Generation of appropriate strategic and tactical commercial objectives Content What is Strategy Defining Strategy Strategic thinking Strategic models Commercial thinking – what is money? Where are we now STEEPLE analysis SWOT Analysis P&E forces at work Political distortions in capitalist markets Where are we trying to get to Setting the mission and vision Creating a BHAG Strategies for deflation and inflation The role of banks Commercial and investment banking Fractional reserving Securitisation How to get there Skill gap analysis Business Process Re engineering The role of creativity How to get there Getting the team on board Individual and team motivation The power of the brand Overcoming challenges Debt and deleveraging Change management Creating value Discounted Cash Flows Building the business case Asset Valuation techniques Making it happen Turning Strategic Thinking into Strategic Plans Scenario planning for an uncertain future Creating commitments and lock in Discussion and review Time will be set aside during the course for review sessions with time for questions, answers and action learning.
Gain practical skills in influencing and decision-making, perfect for anyone working in team-based or project-focused environments, with interactive, hands-on learning. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This is a highly interactive and practical course which will help you to use influencing and decision making techniques. This workshop has been specifically designed to give you an opportunity to learn and test a range of influencing and decision making models and techniques. The course is aimed at anyone who interacts with others on a regular basis, especially those in project management disciplines, multi disciplinary, matrix type organisations where healthy debate and challenge are key to achieving optimum resolutions. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Utilise a variety of new techniques to enhance your influencing skills Recognise the impact of non-verbal communication and use it to enhance influencing behaviours Use language skills necessary to get your message across in an influential way Apply different techniques for dealing with aggression Understand VUCA – Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguous Use Perception, Bias, Decision Making and Judgement Understand personal preferences and approaches to Decision Making Speed read others approach to decision making Apply Mindsets, Skillsets and Toolsets for decision making Content What is influencing? Sources of power Influencing skills Choosing the right approach Developing Skills Communication skills – the language of influence Different influencing techniques and when to use them Having the confidence to challenge Dealing with confrontation and challenges in a confident manner The Decision Lifecycle – Personal Preferences Understand the human facts that influence decision making Understanding personal preferences and approaches to Decision Making Understand the impact of Perception, Bias and judgement in decision making Speed reading others approach to decision making Frameworks to provide context for decision making Understand the business factors that influence decision making - VUCA The Cynefin Framework – decision making in complex situations Understanding which business context, you operate in – simple, complicated, complex or chaotic Understanding how to decide in complexity Practical Practical exercises Case studies Personal action planning
Discover the amazing features this tool has to offer in combining, collating and editing documents and the forms, markups and redaction techniques available. Duration 1 day (6.5 hours) Overview This Adobe Acrobat course looks at the powerful features of the tool quite often overlooked. The course requires the use of either the Standard or Professional versions of Acrobat as the free Acrobat Reader only has limited functionality. Learn how to combine documents into a single file, edit and mark up PDFs, compare documents, redact data from documents and create fillable forms. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create PDFs from other tools Set security Collate and combine files into a single PDF Edit PDF files Complete and sign documents Create fillable forms Mark up PDF documents Compare files Redact data Content Creating PDFs Building PDF documents from Word, Excel and PowerPoint Setting PDF options for print, image quality and security Working in Acrobat Home, Tools and Document Views Using the Navigation Panel and Pane Floating toolbar and Contextual menus Collating and Combining Files Combining multiple files into a single PDF Adding extra files Deleting pages and reorganising pages Editing Files Editing text and graphics Adding text and images Adding headers and footers, watermarks and backgrounds Adding Links Adding manual links Automatic links Completing and signing documents Using fill and sign to complete forms Adding signatures Creating Fillable and Signable Forms Prepare a form Autodetect fillable fields Add manual fillable fields Adding drop downs, check boxes, etc. Naming fields Setting field properties Previewing the form Marking Up Documents Marking up changes Using sticky notes Using the highlighter pen Adding stamps Attaching documents and audio Replying to comments Comparing Files Selecting settings Comparison report Reviewing differences Using the changes pane Redacting Data (Acrobat Professional only) Setting redaction options Redacting chosen text Searching and redacting words, phrases or patterns Redacting whole pages Applying redaction
Learn how create and structure enterprise projects and programmes. Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) Our P6 Project Planning and Controls Fundamentals course is an intensive two day course aimed at experienced planners and project controllers who need to use Primavera to create and manage detailed plans. It includes creating EPS levels, projects, WBS levels and detailed activity and resource planning. Experience of project planning and scheduling techniques is essential. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Create a programme structure Create projects and set project properties Create programme milestones Create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Create detailed plans including activities, links and resources Progress the schedule Manage actuals Customise layouts Use the reporting tools in Primavera Content Programme Management Creating EPS elements Defining the programme structure Navigating the EPS structure Finding programmes Project Management and WBS Creating projects Setting project properties Validating projects Assigning project codes Building a work breakdown structure Creating a WBS structure Creating WBS elements Work package management Top Down budgets Allocating top down budgets Budget change Programming milestones and activity planning Creating programme milestones Setting constraints Linking milestones Scheduling Using the schedule function Detailed activity planning Creating activities Relationship types Creating relationships Adding milestones Assigning activity codes Resourcing, workloads and baselining Resource types Creating resources Resource attributes Assigning resources Switching resources Split load resource assignment Reduced hours resource assignment Checking workload Reviewing workload Dealing with resource conflicts Assignments view Baselining Creating baselines Assigning baselines Working with layouts Creating layouts Customising columns Setting filters Sorting and grouping Changing the timescale Customising the Gantt Creating activity code breakdown structures Progressing the schedules Updating task status and remaining duration Setting the data date Monitoring and reporting Exporting and importing information Primavera standard reports Creating custom reports Creating portfolios Printing Printing your schedule Printing to other packages
Learn how to work with and connect multiple data sets to effectively analyse and report on data. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Within Excel you have some powerful features to enable you to connect and analyse multiple data sources. Power Query enables you to import and manipulate your data, Power Pivot enables you to connect multiple data sources and create pivot tables and pivot charts from them. This course is an introduction to Power Query and Power Pivot in Excel to get you started on creating a powerful reporting capability. Knowledge of working with Excel workbooks and relational databases would be an advantage. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Import data from multiple data sources Edit and transform data before importing Add extra columns of data Append data Merge data from other tables Create data models Build data relationships Build Pivot Tables Build Pivot Charts Use Slicers and Timeline Filters Content Importing data Data sources Importing data Transforming data Editing your data Setting data types Removing columns/rows Choosing columns to keep Setting header rows Splitting columns Appending queries Appending data from other tables Adding text Columns from example Custom columns Conditional columns Merge queries Setting up and using merge queries Merging in columns of data Creating a data model The data model Multiple data tables Connecting tables Building relationships Relationship types Building visuals from multiple tables Analysing information using pivot tables Creating and modifying a Pivot Table Recalculating the Pivot Table Filtering the Pivot Table Searching the Pivot Table Drilling down to underlying data Customising field names Changing field formatting Pivot charts, slices and timelines Creating Pivot Charts Adding and using Slicers
Ideal for those already using Excel but who really want to get to grips with formulas and functions. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Our Excel Mastering Formulas and Functions course looks at how to confidently use formulas and functions within Excel. It looks at how to correctly construct formulas and explains how to build common formulas such as working with percentages. It investigates a range of built in Excel functions and shows you how to use the formula auditing tools to help when things go wrong. This course is aimed at existing users of Excel who want to further their skills. Participants should be able to confidently create and amend worksheets. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Construct Formulas Use a range of common Functions Work with absolute and relative references in formulas Create percentage calculations Use named ranges in formulas Use the XLOOKUP command Create formulas with date and use date functions Use formulas in conditional formatting Use a range of Count functions Use the formula auditing tools Content Formulas vs Functions Constructing formulas Using functions Common Excel functions Using the function wizard vs the formula bar Formulas in tables Absolute vs relative references in formulas Using absolute references in formulas Using partial absolute referencing Range Naming Naming ranges Using range names in formulas Single and multi-cell ranges Working with percentages Creating formulas with percentages Percentage breakdowns Percentage increases Formatting as a percentage Using Lookups Using XLOOKUP to insert information from other spreadsheets Calculating with dates Calculating with dates Using date functions Using formulas in conditional formatting Using conditional formulas Using functions in conditional formatting Count functions COUNT COUNTA COUNTBLANK Formula auditing Using the auditing facility Tracing how formulas are made up Tracing precedents and dependants Evaluating formulas Error checking Showing formulas on a sheet
Unlock the power of effective negotiation. Gain essential skills to navigate complex deals, build lasting partnerships, and achieve optimal outcomes. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This course is designed for those who need to understand and be able to use essential negotiation skills to make them more effective in their role. Externally you maybe negotiating with suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities and other organisations. Internally you will be negotiating with stakeholders, colleagues, and team members which could be for resources, time, budget or facilities. Being able to negotiate agreements that are acceptable to all parties requires skill and is essential to maintain healthy, functional relationships. This will be a facilitated workshop designed to be flexible to achieve the desired outcome. We will achieve the objectives through a mixture of facilitated discussion, interactive exercises designed to give insight and facilitator input. During the day we will deal with the stages of a negotiation from preparation to closing. Individuals will get the opportunity to practice the skills needed to create win-win outcomes through a number of generic but realistic scenarios. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: State the principles of effective negotiation Prepare effectively for different types of negotiation Set negotiation objectives and identify what can be ‘traded’ Explain how assertiveness and influencing skills can affect outcomes Deploy appropriate strategies and tactics to achieve the best results Use different techniques to deal with difficult customers and difficult situations Content Influencing Seek first to understand, and then be understood The importance of understanding the other party’s position and how to do it The power of non-verbal communication Dealing with difficult customers and difficult situations whilst maintaining a positive relationship How to approach negotiations Identifying potential negotiations and preparing for potential outcomes Aiming for results which deliver win/win outcomes Developing a win/win mindset and behaviours Rights and responsibilities of negotiators Setting Negotiation Objectives Clarifying essential, desirable and ideal objectives Assessing the most favoured, realistic target and walk away positions The Negotiation Process The importance of preparation Creating an opening proposal Where to pitch the opening proposal Bargaining/Trading - Gaining Momentum Knowing your parameters – what can be traded? Choosing a strategy and tactics Dealing with questionable tactics and ploys Building rapport – the communication process Asking the right questions and active listening Being assertive, demanding your rights and ensuring you meet your responsibilities Closing Techniques Trial and actual closing techniques Signalling Summarising and documenting the agreement Follow up and implementation of the deal