348 Courses in Edinburgh

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

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

PfMP® Exam Prep: In-House Training This is an intensive PfMP® Exam preparation course. This learning experience guides you through the multi-faceted discipline of portfolio management by focusing on the related technical, leadership, and business skills required to navigate it in the real world. First and foremost, this is an intensive PfMP® exam preparation course. Over the course, we go beyond exam prep to provide selected practice in applying key portfolio management skills, tools, and techniques. This learning experience guides you through the multi-faceted discipline of portfolio management by focusing on the related technical, leadership, and business skills required to navigate it in the real world. The journey zooms in and out between governance context and specific operational activities. The ultimate goal is practical application, with the bonus of certification along the way. What You Will Learn By the end of this program, you will be able to: Align and manage the portfolio, strategically, to satisfy organizational objectives and priorities, through benefit realization Articulate and emulate the role of a portfolio manager Apply the principles and skills of a portfolio manager to your real-world environment Study and prepare for the PfMP® Examination Apply for the certification, per the PMI PfMP Handbook and pass the initial panel review on your application Getting Started Course Overview Details of the PfMP® Certification process Foundation Concepts Projects, program, and portfolios A portfolio management process Strategy and value The role of the portfolio manager The role of key stakeholders Life cycle management The Portfolio Life Cycle Overview of Life Cycle Portfolio Management Information System (PMIS) Governance within the Portfolio Life Cycle Strategic Management Strategy concepts Supporting documentation and the strategic plan Planning and optimization Organizational risk appetite Managing strategic change Governance Management Overview and Guiding Principles The Concept of Governance Effective Design Factors Governance Roles Capacity and Capability Management Overview and Guiding Principles Capacity Management and Planning Supply and Demand (Management and Optimization) Organization Capabilities (Assessment and Development) Performance Management (Reporting, Analytics, and Balance) Stakeholder Engagement The Importance of Stakeholders Overview and Guiding Principles Definition and Identification Analysis and Planning Communications Approaches and Management Value Management Overview (Guiding Principles, Definition, and Components) Negotiating Expected Value Maximizing Value Assuring Value Realizing Value Measuring and Reporting Value A Look at Tools Risk Management Overview and Guiding Principles Portfolio Risk Planning Portfolio Risk Identification Portfolio Risk Assessment Portfolio Risk Response Examination Content Outline (ECO) Overview Structure Strategic Tasks Mapping Governance Tasks Mapping Performance Tasks Mapping Risk Tasks Mapping Communication Tasks Mapping List of Knowledge and Skills Exam Prep and Practice Overview Documenting experience Submitting the application Preparing to sit for the exam

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

Introduction to Agile for Executives: In-House Training This session provides executives with an overview of Agile values and principles, the key benefits of an Agile approach, and its differences with the traditional Waterfall method. During the session, we compare and contrast the major Agile methods, with an emphasis on Scrum, as the most popular in the market. And most importantly, we present some criteria for Agile Transformation, possible certifications to pursue, and what is needed at the senior leadership level to achieve the best business results. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain the basics and benefits of using an Agile approach Describe the Scrum framework, its events, artifacts, and roles and responsibilities Illustrate an Agile approach outside of Software Development Define Scaled Agile Determine how to support an Agile transformation for your organization Getting Started Introduction Course structure Course goals and objectives Agile Introduction What is Agile? Agile benefits Agile myths and realities Overview of Agile Methods Overview of Agile methods Scrum method Lean and Kanban methods Criteria and certifications What Executives Need to Know About Agile Agile is not just for IT Agile can be scaled Agile transformation needs your support Summary and Next Steps Review Personal Action Plan

Strategic Thinking: In-House Training 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.)

The Art of Negotiation: In-House Training Confidence, rapport, curiosity, and patience are essential ingredients to successfully handling a difficult conversation and negotiation. In this course, you will learn to identify and manage aspects of a negotiation, distinguish needs from wants, and manage expectations. The course will cover communication best practices, strategies for handling difficult conversations, and the basics of the art of negotiation. What you Will Learn Master the different ways to say 'no' Determine negotiation strategies based on typical client strategies Develop solutions to break deadlocks Getting Started Introductions Course structure Course goals and objectives Establishing personal learning objectives Foundation Concepts Exercise: Most Challenging Scenarios and Outcomes Debrief: Impact versus intent Addressing customer expectations Needs versus wants Key skills for managing customer relationships Elicitation (requirements gathering) Communication and active listening Sensitivity and empathy Handling Difficult Conversations Saying 'no' The Ladder of Inference 4-Step approach for handling difficult conversations Characteristics of a trusted advisor Communication Best Practices Attunement and active listening Exercise: Identifying Effective Techniques Communication pitfalls and best practices Building rapport and influence Words of wisdom Exercise: Reflection on Challenges Negotiation Strategies Negotiation basics Five phases of negotiation Identifying different strategies Traditional versus Progressive Hard - Soft - Principled Exercise: Your Preferred Techniques Selecting appropriate strategy for project negotiations Common pitfalls to avoid The impact of culture on negotiation Looking at conflict through the lens of negotiation Exercise: Mapping a Resolution

Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving: In-House Training Two critical skillsets for the future of work are critical thinking and creative problem solving. These modes of working and thinking intersect and overlap; both are necessary and both can be taught. Having the ability to exercise creativity while at the same time applying structure and discipline to the thinking process is a key competency in the twenty-first century workplace. This course explores the interplay between critical and creative thinking, and the necessity of each to effective problem solving and decision making. Participants will learn a variety of techniques to apply critical thinking to real-life scenarios. They will experiment with different problem-solving approaches and will learn about cognitive influences on our decisions and choices. The course delves into the business value of creativity and involves participants in actively integrating criticality, creativity, and problem solving. What you will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Explain basic concepts of problem solving Infer types of cognitive biases that impact decision making Utilize types of root cause analysis Differentiate among obstacles to sound decision making Apply a variety of problem-solving approaches / processes to existing challenges Evaluate alternative solution methods using various techniques Analyze real world problem scenarios to determine the lateral thinking type needed to address them Foundation Concepts Definitions Thinking modes and cognitive bias Basic problem-solving framework Problem Definition and Solution Generation Root cause analysis Basic problem-solving obstacles Generating alternative solutions Evaluating Alternatives Critical thinking guidelines Obstacles to sound decision making Tools for evaluating alternatives Exploring Lateral Thinking Problem-solving challenge Workplace application

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam Prep: In-House Training: In-House Training This course gives you the knowledge you need to pass the exam and covers CAPM®-critical information on project management theory, principles, techniques, and methods Are you planning on taking the CAPM® examination? This course gives you the knowledge you need to pass the exam and covers CAPM®-critical information on project management theory, principles, techniques, and methods. You'll also have an opportunity for practical applications and time to review the kinds of questions you'll find in the CAPM® Exam. What you Will Learn Apply for the CAPM® Examination Develop a personal exam preparation plan Describe the structure, intent, and framework principles of the current edition of the PMBOK® Guide Explain the PMBOK® Guide Knowledge Areas, as well as their inter-relationships with the each other and the Process Groups Getting Started Program orientation The CAPM® certification process Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Examination Content Outline CAPM® eligibility requirements Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Application options Foundation Concepts Skills and qualities of a project manager Project management terminology and definitions Relationship of project, program, portfolio, and operations management Project lifecycle approaches Project Integration Management Review Project Integration Management Knowledge Area Develop Project Charter Develop Project Management Plan Direct and Manage Project Work Manage Project Knowledge Monitoring and Controlling Perform Integrated Change Control Close Project or Phase Project Stakeholder Management Review Project Stakeholder Management Knowledge Area Identify Stakeholders Plan Stakeholder Engagement Manage Stakeholder Engagement Monitor Stakeholder Engagement Project Scope Management Review Project Scope Management Knowledge Area Plan Scope Management Collect Requirements Define Scope Create WBS Validate Scope Control Scope Project Schedule Management Review Project Schedule Management Knowledge Area Plan Schedule Management Define Activities Sequence Activities Estimate Activity Durations Develop Schedule Control Schedule Project Cost Management Review Project Cost Management Knowledge Area Plan Cost Management Estimate Costs Determine Budget Control Schedule Project Resource Management Review Project Resource Management Knowledge Area Plan Resource Management Estimate Activity Resources Acquire Resources Develop Team Manage Team Control Resources Project Quality Management Review Project Quality Management Knowledge Area Plan Quality Management Manage Quality Control Quality Project Risk Management Review Project Risk Management Knowledge Area Plan Risk Management Identify Risks Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis Perform Quantitative Risk Analysis Plan Risk Responses Implement Risk Responses Monitor Risks Project Communications Management Review Project Communications Management Knowledge Area Plan Communications Management Manage Communications Monitor Communications Project Procurement Management Review Project Procurement Management Knowledge Area Plan Procurement Management Conduct Procurements Control Procurements Summary and Next Steps Program Review Mock CAPM® Exam Getting Prepared for the CAPM® Exam After the CAPM® Exam

RESILIA™ Foundation: In-House Training AXELOS RESILIA™: Cyber Resilience Best Practice is designed to help commercial and government organizations around the world prevent, detect, and correct any impact cyber attacks will have on the information required to do business. Adding RESILIA to the existing AXELOS global best practice portfolio, including ITIL® and PRINCE2®, brings a common cyber resilience best practice for security, IT service management, and business. Active cyber resilience is achieved through people, process, and technology. The RESILIA™ Foundation course starts with the purpose, key terms, the distinction between resilience and security, and the benefits of implementing cyber resilience. It introduces risk management and the key activities needed to address risks and opportunities. Further, it explains the relevance of common management standards and best practice frameworks to achieve cyber resilience. Subsequently, it identifies the cyber resilience processes, the associated control objectives, interactions, and activities that should be aligned with corresponding ITSM activities. In the final part of the course, it describes the segregation of duties and dual controls related to cyber resilience roles and responsibilities. What you will Learn At the end of this course, you will be able to: Demonstrate your knowledge of the purpose, benefits, and key terms of cyber resilience Demonstrate your knowledge of the risk management and the key activities needed to address risks and opportunities Demonstrate your knowledge of the purpose of a management system and how best practices and standards can contribute Demonstrate your knowledge of the cyber resilience strategy, the associated control objectives, and their interactions with ITSM activities Demonstrate your knowledge of cyber resilience design, the associated control objectives, and their interactions with ITSM activities Demonstrate your knowledge of cyber resilience transition, the associated control objectives, and their interactions with ITSM activities Demonstrate your knowledge of cyber resilience operation, the associated control objectives, and their interactions with ITSM activities Demonstrate your knowledge of cyber resilience continual improvement, the associated control objectives, and their interactions with ITSM activities Demonstrate your knowledge of the purpose and benefits of segregation of duties and dual controls Course Introduction Course Learning Objectives Course Agenda Activities Course Book Structure RESILIA Certification Introduction to Cyber Resilience What is Cyber Resilience? Defining Cyber Resilience Balancing in Cyber Resilience Characteristics of Cyber Resilience Risk Management Understanding Risk Management: Discussion Defining Risk Management Addressing Risks and Opportunities Managing Cyber Resilience Why and What of Management Systems? Management Systems Common Management Standards and Frameworks Cyber Resilience Strategy What is Strategy? Cyber Resilience Strategy and Activities Security Controls at Cyber Resilience Strategy Interaction Between ITSM Processes and Cyber Resilience Cyber Resilience Design Why Cyber Resilience Design? Cyber Resilience Design Activities Security Controls at Cyber Resilience Design Aligning ITSM Processes with Cyber Resilience Processes Cyber Resilience Transition Why Cyber Resilience Transition? Basics of Cyber Resilience Transition Cyber Resilience Transition: Controls Interaction Between ITSM Processes and Cyber Resilience Cyber Resilience Operation The Purpose of Cyber Resilience Operation Security Controls in Cyber Resilience Operation Interaction Between IT Processes and Cyber Resilience Interaction Between ITSM Functions and Cyber Resilience Cyber Resilience Continual Improvement Continual or Continuous Improvement Maturity Models Continual Improvement Controls The Seven-Step Improvement Process The ITIL CSI Approach Cyber Resilience Roles & Responsibilities Segregating Duties Dual Controls