299 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) courses

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for Experienced system administrators, system engineers, and system integrators Overview By the end of the course, you should be able to meet the following objectives: Configure and manage vSphere networking and storage for a large and sophisticated enterprise Use VMware vSphere Client™ to manage certificates Use Identity Federation to configure VMware vCenter Server to use external identity sources Use VMware vSphere Trust Authority™ to secure the infrastructure for encrypted VMs Use host profiles to manage VMware ESXi™ host compliance Create and manage a content library for deploying virtual machines Manage VM resource usage with resource pools Monitor and analyze key performance indicators for compute, storage, and networking resources for ESXi hosts Optimize the performance in the vSphere environment, including vCenter Server This five-day course teaches you advanced skills for configuring and maintaining a highly available and scalable virtual infrastructure. Through a mix of lecture and hands-on labs, you configure and optimize the VMware vSphere© 7 features that build a foundation for a truly scalable infrastructure, and you discuss when and where these features have the greatest effect. Attend this course to deepen your understanding of vSphere and learn how its advanced features and controls can benefit your organization. As an exclusive benefit, those who participate in this course will receive additional premium recorded lecture material on vSphere security. Course Introduction Introductions and course logistics Course objectives Network Scalability Configure and manage vSphere distributed switches Describe how VMware vSphere© Network I/O Control enhances performance Explain distributed switch features such as port mirroring and NetFlow Storage Scalability Explain why VMware vSphere© VMFS is a high-performance, scalable file system Explain VMware vSphere© Storage APIs - Array Integration, VMware vSphere© API for Storage Awareness?, and vSphere APIs for I/O filtering Configure and assign virtual machine storage policies Create VMware vSAN? storage policies Recognize components of the VMware vSphere© Virtual Volumes? architecture Configure VMware vSphere© Storage DRS? and VMware vSphere© Storage I/O Control Host and Management Scalability Use the vSphere Client to manage vSphere certificates Describe identity federation and recognize its use cases Configure identity federation to allow vCenter Server to use external identity provider Describe the benefits and use cases of vSphere Trust Authority Configure vSphere Trust Authority Use host profiles to manage ESXi configuration compliance Create a local content library and subscribe to a published content library Deploy VMs from a content library Create and manage resource pools in a cluster Describe how scalable shares work CPU Optimization Explain the CPU scheduler operation and other features that affect CPU performance Explain NUMA and vNUMA support Use esxtop to monitor key CPU performance metrics Memory Optimization Explain ballooning, memory compression, transparent page sharing, and host-swapping techniques for memory reclamation when memory is overcommitted Use esxtop to monitor key memory performance metrics Storage Optimization Describe storage queue types and other factors that affect storage performance Discuss vSphere support for NVMe and iSER technologies Use esxtop to monitor key storage performance metrics Network Optimization Explain performance features of network adapters Explain the performance features of vSphere networking Use esxtop to monitor key network performance metrics vCenter Server Performance Optimization Describe the factors that influence vCenter Server performance Use VMware vCenter© Server Appliance? tools to monitor resource use Supplemental Content Appendix A: vSphere Auto Deploy Explain the purpose of VMware vSphere© ESXi ? Image Builder CLI Explain the purpose of VMware vSphere© Auto Deploy? Describe how an autodeployed ESXi host boots Configure a vSphere Auto Deploy environment Appendix B: vSphere Security Configure ESXi Host Access and Authentication Recognize strategies for securing vSphere components, such as vCenter Server, ESXi hosts, and virtual machines Describe vSphere support for security standards and protocols Describe virtual machine security features Describe the components of a VM encryption architecture Create, manage, and migrate encrypted VMs Encrypt core dumps List VM encryption events and alarms

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for Network and security architects and consultants who design the enterprise and data center networks and NSX environments Overview By the end of the course, you should be able to meet the following objectives: Describe and apply a design framework Apply a design process for gathering requirements, constraints, assumptions, and risks Design a VMware vSphere virtual data center to support NSX requirements Create a VMware NSX Manager™ cluster design Create a VMware NSX Edge™ cluster design to support traffic and service requirements in NSX Design logical switching and routing Recognize NSX security best practices Design logical network services Design a physical network to support network virtualization in a software-defined data center Create a design to support the NSX infrastructure across multiple sites Describe the factors that drive performance in NSX This five-day course provides comprehensive training on considerations and practices to design a VMware NSX© environment as part of a software-defined data center strategy. This course prepares the student with the skills to lead the design of an NSX environment, including design principles, processes, and frameworks. The student gains a deeper understanding of the NSX architecture and how it can be used to create solutions to address the customer?s business needs. Course Introduction Introduction and course logistics Course objectives NSX Design Concepts Identify design terms Describe framework and project methodology Describe the role of VMware Cloud Foundation? in NSX design Identify customers? requirements, assumptions, constraints, and risks Explain the conceptual design Explain the logical design Explain the physical design NSX Architecture and Components Recognize the main elements in the NSX architecture Describe the NSX management cluster and the management plane Identify the functions and components of management, control, and data planes Describe the NSX Manager sizing options Recognize the justification and implication of NSX Manager cluster design decisions Identify the NSX management cluster design options NSX Edge Design Explain the leading practices for edge design Describe the NSX Edge VM reference designs Describe the bare-metal NSX Edge reference designs Explain the leading practices for edge cluster design Explain the effect of stateful services placement Explain the growth patterns for edge clusters Identify design considerations when using L2 bridging services NSX Logical Switching Design Describe concepts and terminology in logical switching Identify segment and transport zone design considerations Identify virtual switch design considerations Identify uplink profile and transport node profile design considerations Identify Geneve tunneling design considerations Identify BUM replication mode design considerations NSX Logical Routing Design Explain the function and features of logical routing Describe the NSX single-tier and multitier routing architectures Identify guidelines when selecting a routing topology Describe the BGP and OSPF routing protocol configuration options Explain gateway high availability modes of operation and failure detection mechanisms Identify how multitier architectures provide control over stateful service location Identify EVPN requirements and design considerations Identify VRF Lite requirements and considerations Identify the typical NSX scalable architectures NSX Security Design Identify different security features available in NSX Describe the advantages of an NSX Distributed Firewall Describe the use of NSX Gateway Firewall as a perimeter firewall and as an intertenant firewall Determine a security policy methodology Recognize the NSX security best practices NSX Network Services Identify the stateful services available in different edge cluster high availability modes Describe failover detection mechanisms Compare NSX NAT solutions Explain how to select DHCP and DNS services Compare policy-based and route-based IPSec VPN Describe an L2 VPN topology that can be used to interconnect data centers Explain the design considerations for integrating VMware NSX© Advanced Load Balancer? with NSX Physical Infrastructure Design Identify the components of a switch fabric design Assess Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch fabric design implications Review guidelines when designing top-of-rack switches Review options for connecting transport hosts to the switch fabric Describe typical designs for VMware ESXi? compute hypervisors with two pNICs Describe typical designs for ESXi compute hypervisors with four or more pNICs Differentiate dedicated and collapsed cluster approaches to SDDC design NSX Multilocation Design Explain scale considerations in an NSX multisite design Describe the main components of the NSX Federation architecture Describe the stretched networking capability in Federation Describe stretched security use cases in Federation Compare the Federation disaster recovery designs NSX Optimization and DPU-Based Acceleration Describe Geneve Offload Describe the benefits of Receive Side Scaling and Geneve Rx Filters Explain the benefits of SSL Offload Describe the effect of Multi-TEP, MTU size, and NIC speed on throughput Explain the available enhanced datapath modes and use cases List the key performance factors for compute nodes and NSX Edge nodes Describe DPU-Based Acceleration Define the NSX features supported by DPUs Describe the hardware and networking configurations supported with DPUs

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for Network and security architects and consultants who design the enterprise and data center networks and VMware NSX environments Overview By the end of the course, you should be able to meet the following objectives: Describe and apply a design framework Apply a design process for gathering requirements, constraints, assumptions, and risks Design a VMware vSphere virtual data center to support NSX-T Data Center requirements Create a VMware NSX Manager™ cluster design Create a VMware NSX Edge™ cluster design to support traffic and service requirements in NSX-T Data Center Design logical switching and routing Recognize NSX-T Data Center security best practices Design logical network services Design a physical network to support network virtualization in a software-defined data center Create a design to support the NSX-T Data Center infrastructure across multiple sites Describe the factors that drive performance in NSX-T Data Center This five-day course provides comprehensive training on considerations and practices to design a VMware NSX-T? Data Center environment as part of a software-defined data center strategy. This course prepares the student with the skills to lead the design of NSX-T Data Center offered in release 3.2, including design principles, processes, and frameworks. The student gains a deeper understanding of the NSX-T Data Center architecture and how it can be used to create solutions to address the customer?s business needs. Course Introduction Introduction and course logistics Course objectives Design Concepts Identify design terms Describe framework and project methodology Describe VMware Validated Design? Identify customers? requirements, assumptions, constraints, and risks Explain the conceptual design Explain the logical design Explain the physical design NSX Architecture and Components Recognize the main elements in the NSX-T Data Center architecture Describe the NSX management cluster and the management plane Identify the functions and components of management, control, and data planes Describe the NSX Manager sizing options Recognize the justification and implication of NSX manager cluster design decisions Identify the NSX management cluster design options NSX Edge Design Explain the leading practices for edge design Describe the NSX Edge VM reference designs Describe the bare-metal NSX Edge reference designs Explain the leading practices for edge cluster design Explain the effect of stateful services placement Explain the growth patterns for edge clusters Identify design considerations when using L2 bridging services NSX Logical Switching Design Describe concepts and terminology in logical switching Identify segment and transport zone design considerations Identify virtual switch design considerations Identify uplink profile, VMware vSphere© Network I/O Control profile, and transport node profile design considerations Identify Geneve tunneling design considerations Identify BUM replication mode design considerations NSX Logical Routing Design Explain the function and features of logical routing Describe NSX-T Data Center single-tier and multitier routing architectures Identify guidelines when selecting a routing topology Describe the BGP and OSPF routing protocol configuration options Explain gateway high availability modes of operation and failure detection mechanisms Identify how multitier architectures provide control over stateful service location Identify VRF Lite requirements and considerations Identify the typical NSX scalable architectures NSX Security Design Identify different security features available in NSX-T Data Center Describe the advantages of an NSX Distributed Firewall Describe the use of NSX Gateway Firewall as a perimeter firewall and as an intertenant firewall Determine a security policy methodology Recognize the NSX-T Data Center security best practices NSX Network Services Identify the stateful services available in different edge cluster high availability modes Describe failover detection mechanisms Explain the design considerations for integrating VMware NSX© Advanced Load Balancer? with NSX-T Data Center Describe stateful and stateless NSX-T Data Center NAT Identify benefits of NSX-T Data Center DHCP Identify benefits of metadata proxy Describe IPSec VPN and L2 VPN Physical Infrastructure Design Identify the components of a switch fabric design Assess Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch fabric design implications Review guidelines when designing top-of-rack switches Review options for connecting transport hosts to the switch fabric Describe typical designs for VMware ESXi? compute hypervisors with two pNICs Describe typical designs for ESXi compute hypervisors with four or more pNICs Describe a typical design for a KVM compute hypervisor with two pNICs Differentiate dedicated and collapsed cluster approaches to SDDC design NSX Multilocation Design Explain scale considerations in an NSX-T Data Center multisite design Describe the main components of the NSX Federation architecture Describe the stretched networking capability in Federation Describe stretched security use cases in Federation Compare Federation disaster recovery designs NSX Optimization Describe Geneve Offload Describe the benefits of Receive Side Scaling and Geneve Rx Filters Explain the benefits of SSL Offload Describe the effect of Multi-TEP, MTU size, and NIC speed on throughput Explain the available N-VDS enhanced datapath modes and use cases List the key performance factors for compute nodes and NSX Edge nodes

Duration 4 Days 24 CPD hours This course is intended for Students in this course are interested in implementing DevOps processes or in passing the Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions certification exam. Overview After completing this course, students will be able to: Plan for the transformation with shared goals and timelines Select a project and identify project metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) Create a team and agile organizational structure Design a tool integration strategy Design a license management strategy (e.g., Azure DevOps and GitHub users) Design a strategy for end-to-end traceability from work items to working software Design an authentication and access strategy Design a strategy for integrating on-premises and cloud resources Describe the benefits of using Source Control Describe Azure Repos and GitHub Migrate from TFVC to Git Manage code quality including technical debt SonarCloud, and other tooling solutions Build organizational knowledge on code quality Explain how to structure Git repos Describe Git branching workflows Leverage pull requests for collaboration and code reviews Leverage Git hooks for automation Use Git to foster inner source across the organization Explain the role of Azure Pipelines and its components Configure Agents for use in Azure Pipelines Explain why continuous integration matters Implement continuous integration using Azure Pipelines Define Site Reliability Engineering Design processes to measure end-user satisfaction and analyze user feedback Design processes to automate application analytics Manage alerts and reduce meaningless and non-actionable alerts Carry out blameless retrospectives and create a just culture Define an infrastructure and configuration strategy and appropriate toolset for a release pipeline and application infrastructure Implement compliance and security in your application infrastructure Describe the potential challenges with integrating open-source software Inspect open-source software packages for security and license compliance Manage organizational security and compliance policies Integrate license and vulnerability scans into build and deployment pipelines Configure build pipelines to access package security and license ratings This course provides the knowledge and skills to design and implement DevOps processes and practices. Students will learn how to plan for DevOps, use source control, scale Git for an enterprise, consolidate artifacts, design a dependency management strategy, manage secrets, implement continuous integration, implement a container build strategy, design a release strategy, set up a release management workflow, implement a deployment pattern, and optimize feedback mechanisms. Module 1: Get started on a DevOps transformation journey Introduction to DevOps Choose the right project Describe team structures Choose the DevOps tools Plan Agile with GitHub Projects and Azure Boards Introduction to source control Describe types of source control systems Work with Azure Repos and GitHub Module 2: Development for enterprise DevOps Structure your Git Repo Manage Git branches and workflows Collaborate with pull requests in Azure Repos Explore Git hooks Plan foster inner source Manage Git repositories Identify technical debt Module 3: Implement CI with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions Explore Azure Pipelines Manage Azure Pipeline agents and pools Describe pipelines and concurrency Explore Continuous integration Implement a pipeline strategy Integrate with Azure Pipelines Introduction to GitHub Actions Learn continuous integration with GitHub Actions Design a container build strategy Module 4: Design and implement a release strategy Introduction to continuous delivery Explore release strategy recommendations Build a high-quality release pipeline Introduction to deployment patterns Implement blue-green deployment and feature toggles Implement canary releases and dark launching Implement A/B testing and progressive exposure deployment Module 5: Implement a secure continuous deployment using Azure Pipelines Create a release pipeline Provision and test environments Manage and modularize tasks and templates Automate inspection of health Manage application configuration data Integrate with identity management systems Implement application configuration Module 6: Manage infrastructure as code using Azure and DSC Explore infrastructure as code and configuration management Create Azure resources using Azure Resource Manager templates Create Azure resources by using Azure CLI Explore Azure Automation with DevOps Implement Desired State Configuration (DSC) Implement Bicep Module 7: Implement security and validate code bases for compliance Introduction to Secure DevOps Implement open-source software Software Composition Analysis Static analyzers OWASP and Dynamic Analyzers Security Monitoring and Governance Module 8: Design and implement a dependency management strategy Explore package dependencies Understand package management Migrate, consolidate, and secure artifacts Implement a versioning strategy Introduction to GitHub Packages Module 9: Implement continuous feedback Implement tools to track usage and flow Develop monitor and status dashboards Share knowledge within teams Design processes to automate application analytics Manage alerts, Blameless retrospectives and a just culture Additional course details: Nexus Humans AZ-400 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the AZ-400 Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for The audience includes implementers, developers, system administrators, project teams, database administrators and engine project technical teams. The audience also includes consultants that are looking to gain an understanding of Maximo Asset Management 7.6.0.x and the engine. Overview After completing this course, you should be able to perform the following tasks: List the components of Tivoli's process automation engine Understand Maximo modules and applications Understand Tivoli's Process Automation Engine Create the foundation data necessary for Maximo Asset Management Customize the engine database and applications Automate IBM Service Management applications using workflows Use the Maximo Work Centers Use the Integration Framework to import and export data This course is designed for anyone planning to use Maximo Asset Management and Tivoli?s process automation engine with one of the IBM System Management (ISM) products. It is a course that introduces you to the features and functions of both products. IBM Maximo Asset Management Overview This unit focuses on Maximo as an overall product and how Maximo assists companies with their asset management lifecycle. Tivoli Process Automation Engine This unit describes the functions of Tivoli?s process automation engine and introduces the products that are based on the engine. This unit also introduces Start Centers and basic navigation. Architecture and components This unit covers the architecture of Tivoli?s process automation engine. The various components that make up the system are described. The unit will address Java EE servers and the basic use of WebSphere© as it relates to the engine. The unit then covers the organization of the administrative workstation and system properties. The unit briefly describes the setup of the system for using attachments. Foundation Data This unit covers the creation of foundation data for Tivoli?s process automation engine. The foundation data is the software constructs that are necessary in the basic configuration of the product. These constructs include organizations, sites, locations, classifications, and various engine financial configurations. Security Security addresses the need to protect system resources from unauthorized access by unauthenticated users. Resources in the system are protected by Authentication and Authorization. Database architecture This unit illustrates the possible database configurations using the Database Configuration application. It also presents specific command lines that you can run to configure the changes made on the attributes of business objects using the Database Configuration application. Work Management Work Management is a collection of components and products that work together to form a powerful process and work management system. This unit provides a look at work management and focuses on using Work Management to generate, process, and complete work orders. Customizing an application This unit provides an overview of the Application Designer and Migration Manager. You will learn how to change, duplicate and create applications. You will learn the process to move from development, integration testing, user acceptance testing and moving to production. Automation This unit provides a high-level overview of key automation application programs and their functionality. It describes cron tasks, which are used to automate jobs in the system. The unit then discusses various communication tools in the system such as Communication Templates and the E mail Listener application. Finally, automated means of notification using escalations and actions are covered. Workflow This unit focuses on workflow. You learn about the Workflow Designer and its tools. You also learn how to modify an existing workflow and how to manage the included workflows. Reporting This unit provides an overview of the data analysis and reporting options that you can use in the system to analyze data. You create query by example (QBE) reports, result sets, key performance indicators (KPI), and query-based reports (QBRs). Students can optionally review Appendix A to learn how to create a simple enterprise report using Business Intelligence Reporting Tools (BIRT) designer. This report provides an example of how developers create more complex, widely used reports for users. Integration Framework In this unit, a high-level overview of the Integration Framework is provided. The Integration Framework architecture and components are described and basic configuration steps are described. The configuration and steps for loading and exporting data to and from the system are covered. You have the opportunity to practice them also. Budget Monitoring This unit provides information on a new feature introduced in Maximo 7.6.0.8, the Budget Monitoring application. In this application, you can create budget records to monitor transactions in a financial period. Inspection Tools and Tasks This unit introduces the new Inspection application. You can use the Inspections tools to create online inspection forms by using your desktop computer or laptop, and you can use the forms to complete an inspection by using your desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. Troubleshooting This unit focuses on troubleshooting as a systematic approach to solving a problem. The goal is to determine why something does not work as expected and to resolve the problem. It discusses the configuration of logging in the application. It also covers basic troubleshooting techniques, some important component logs, and information about obtaining help from Tivoli Support. Additional course details: Nexus Humans U5TR712 - IBM Maximo Asset Management - System Administration and Development v7.6x training program is a workshop that presents an invigorating mix of sessions, lessons, and masterclasses meticulously crafted to propel your learning expedition forward. This immersive bootcamp-style experience boasts interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative hackathons, all strategically designed to fortify fundamental concepts. Guided by seasoned coaches, each session offers priceless insights and practical skills crucial for honing your expertise. Whether you're stepping into the realm of professional skills or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive course ensures you're equipped with the knowledge and prowess necessary for success. While we feel this is the best course for the U5TR712 - IBM Maximo Asset Management - System Administration and Development v7.6x course and one of our Top 10 we encourage you to read the course outline to make sure it is the right content for you. Additionally, private sessions, closed classes or dedicated events are available both live online and at our training centres in Dublin and London, as well as at your offices anywhere in the UK, Ireland or across EMEA.

In today's competitive business world firms are under unprecedented pressure to deliver value to their shareholders and other key stakeholders. Senior executives in all parts of the organisation are finding that they need some degree of financial know how to cope with the responsibility placed on them as business managers and key decision-makers; monitoring and improving business performance, investing in capital projects, mergers and acquisitions: all require some degree of financial knowledge. The key financial skills are not as difficult to learn as many people believe and in the hands of an experienced senior executive they can provide a formidable competitive advantage. After completing this course delegates will be able to: Understand fundamental business finance concepts; understand, analyse and interpret financial statements: Profit Statement, Balance Sheet and Cashflow Statement Understand the vital difference between profit and cashflow; identify the key components of working capital and how they can be managed to generate strong cashflow Evaluate pricing decisions based on an understanding of the nature of business costs and their impact on gross margin and break-even sales; managing pricing, discounts and costs to generate strong business profits; understand how lean manufacturing methods improve profit Use powerful analytical tools to measure and improve the performance of their own company and assess the effectiveness of their competitors Apply and interpret techniques for assessing and comparing investment opportunities in capital projects, business acquisitions and other ventures; understand and apply common methods of business valuation Understand the role of business finance in formulating and implementing competitive business strategy; the role of budgeting as part of the planning process and the various approaches to budgeting and performance measurement 1 Basic principles Delivering value to key stakeholders Accounting concepts, GAAP, IFRS and common terms Understanding and using the balance sheet Understanding and using the profit statement Recognising the vital difference between profit and cashflow Understanding and using the cashflow statement What financial statements can and cannot tell us 2 Managing and improving cashflow Sources of finance and their advantages and disadvantages What is working capital and why is it so important? Managing stocks, debtors and creditors Understanding how working capital drives business growth Understanding and avoiding the over-trading trap Unlocking the funds tied up in fixed assets: asset backed loans and leasing 3 Managing and improving profit Understanding how profits generate cashflow The fundamental nature of costs: fixed and variable business costs Understanding gross margin and break-even How common pricing methods affect gross margin and profit Effective strategies to improve gross margin Using value chain analysis to reduce costs Lean manufacturing methodsUnderstanding Just-in-time, 6 Sigma and Kaizen methods Improving profitEffective and defective strategies 4 Measuring and managing business performance Measures of financial performance and strength Investor behaviour: the risk and reward relationship Return on investment (ROI): the ultimate measure of business performance How profit margin and net asset turnover drive return on net assets Why some companies are more profitable that others Understanding competitive advantage: cost and differentiation advantage Why great companies failWhat happened to Kodak? Using a 'Pyramid of Ratios' to improve business performance Using Critical Success Factors to develop Key Performance Indicators 5 Budgeting and forecasting methods Using budgets to support strategy Objectives and methods for effective budgets Using budgets to monitor and manage business performance Alternative approaches to budgeting Developing and implementing Balanced Scorecards Beyond Budgeting Forecasting methods and techniques Identifying key business drivers Using rolling forecasts and 'what-if' models to aid decision-making

This two-day programme gives the key insights and understanding of contracting principles and the impact they have on business and operations. The course is designed for individuals involved in or supporting contracting who want to improve their commercial management skills; individuals in functions such as project management, business development, finance, operations who need practical training in commercial management; general audiences wanting to gain a basic understanding of commercial management. This is an assessed programme, leading to the International Association for Contracts & Commercial Management (IACCM)'s coveted Contract and Commercial Management Associate (CCMA) qualification. The programme addresses 31 different subject areas, across the five stages of the contracting process. By the end of the course the participants will be able, among other things, to: Develop robust contract plans, including scope of work and award strategies Conduct effective contracting activities, including ITT, RFP, negotiated outcomes Negotiate effectively with key stakeholders, making use of the key skills of persuading and influencing and to work with stakeholders to improve outcomes Set up and maintain contract management systems Take a proactive approach to managing contracts Make effective use of lessons learned to promote improvements from less than optimal outcomes, using appropriate templates Develop and monitor appropriate and robust Key Performance Indicators to manage the contractor and facilitate improved performance Understand the approvals process and how to develop and present robust propositions Make appropriate use of best practice contract management tools, techniques and templates DAY ONE 1 Introductions Aims Objectives Plan for the day 2 Commercial context Explaining the contracting context Define the key objective The importance of contact management Impact upon the business 3 Stakeholders How to undertake stakeholder mapping and analysis Shared vision concept, How to engage with HSE, Finance, Operations 4 Roles and responsibilities Exploring the key roles and responsibilities of contract administrators, HSE, Finance, Divisional managers, etc 5 Initiating the contract cycle Overview of the contracting cycle Requirement to tender Methods Rationale and exceptions 6 Specifications Developing robust scope of works Use of performance specifications Output based SOW 7 Strategy and award criteria Developing a robust contract strategy Award submissions/criteria 8 Managing the tender process Review the pre-qualification process Vendor registration rules and processes Creation of bidder lists Evaluation, short listing, and how to use of the 10Cs© model template and app 9 Types of contract Classify the different types of contracts Call-offs Framework agreement Price agreements Supply agreements 10 The contract I: price Understanding contract terms Methods of compensation Lump sum, unit price, cost plus, time and materials, alternative methods Cost plus a fee, target cost, gain share contracts Advanced payments Price escalation clauses DAY TWO 11 Risk How to manage risks Risk classification Mitigation of contractual risks 12 Contractor relationship management session Effectively managing relationships with contractors, Types of relationships Driving forces? Link between type of contract and style of relationship 13 Disputes Dealing with disputes Conflict resolution Negotiation Mediation Arbitration 14 Contract management Measuring and improving contract performance Using KPIs and SLAs Benchmarking Cost controls 15 The contract II: terms and conditions Contract terms and conditions Legal aspects Drafting special terms 16 Managing claims and variations How to manage contract and works variations orders Identifying the causes of variations Contractor claims process 17 Completion Contract close-out process Acceptance/completion Capture the learning/HSE Final payments, evaluation of performance 18 Close Review Final assessment

An insightful, enjoyable and experiential programme to help you analyse data and information and make a balanced decision based upon sound commercial reasoning. It will enable you to identify options, make decisions and take actions based on a thorough analysis combined with instinct and intuition to make a positive effect on profitability. This programme will help you: Identify ways to analyse data and sort relevant from irrelevant information Develop analytical and numerate thinking, and consider the financial implications of a decision Make decisions based on sound commercial reasoning - a mix of intuition and analysis Select from a range of tools to analyse a situation and apply these effectively Understand how costs and profits are calculated Use tried-and-tested techniques to manage and control your budgets Appreciate the fundamentals of financial analysis Focus on the bottom line Identify the basics of capital investment appraisal for your business Evaluate results and seek opportunities for improvement to your business 1 The commercial environment What do shareholders and investors want? What do managers want? Profit v non-profit organisations Investor expectations 2 Financial and non-financial information Risk and reward considerations Drivers of commercial decisions 3 Running a business A practical exercise to bring financial statements to life Different stakeholder interests in a business The impact and consequences of decisions on financial statements 4 Where do I make a difference to the organisation? How can I contribute to an improved business performance? Key performance indicators - measuring the right things A 'balanced scorecard' approach - it's not all about money! 5 A 'balanced scorecard' approach Analysing and reviewing my contribution to the business direction What is the current focus of my commercial decisions? Developing the business in the right way - getting the balance right! Where should/could it be in the future? Do my decisions support the overall vision and strategy? 6 Making commercial decisions Left-brain and right-brain thinking Convergent and divergent thinking Analysis and instinct Interactive case study exercise - emotional and rational decisions Reflection - what is my style of making decisions 7 Let's consider the customer! Identifying target markets Differentiating propositions and products Customer service considerations Marketing considerations and initiatives Pricing strategies and considerations 8 Strategic analysis The external environment The internal environment LEPEST analysis SWOT analysis Forecasting Group activity - analysing markets and the competition How do these improve your decisions? 9 Comparing performance Analysing key financial ratios Ways to compare performance and results Break-even analysis 10 Profit and loss accounts and budgeting Managing income and expenditure The budgeting process How does this link to the profit and loss account? Managing and controlling a cost centre/budget The role of the finance department Different ways of budgeting Incremental budgeting Zero-based budgeting 11 Understanding the balance sheet Purpose of balance sheets Understanding and navigating the content What does a balance sheet tell you? How do you affect your balance sheet? Links to the profit and loss account A practical team exercise that brings financial statements to life 12 Business decisions exercise How does this improve your decisions? A practical exercise to apply new knowledge and bring commercial thinking to to life The impact and consequences of decisions on financial statements 13 Working capital Why is this important? The importance of keeping cash flowing Business decisions that affect cash Calculating profit 14 Capital investment appraisal Capex v Opex Payback Return on investment The future value of money The concept of hurdle rate 15 Lessons learned and action planning So what? Recap and consolidation of learning The decisions that I need to consider Actions to achieve my plan

Develop your Project Management skills and fully understand the entire project lifecycle and key activities that need to be done to deliver a successful project outcome. Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) The ability to run a successful project professionally is a valuable transferrable life skill that can enhance your career and opportunities in any industry. Our Principles of Project Management course takes a pragmatic approach to managing a project successfully. It looks at the entire project lifecycle and key activities that must be done to give a successful project outcome. This course is suitable for anyone who is involved in or about to run a project – either as a full-time project leader/manager or as a part of their role. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify 10 key principles for managing a project successfully Apply a common sense project lifecycle to a project regardless of its size or magnitude Develop robust project documentation throughout the lifecycle whilst keeping the documents to a minimum Identify the expectations of key stakeholders and develop a clear communication plan to engage with them Apply a range of planning and scheduling techniques to help manage the project timeline Produce realistic estimates to help monitor and control the project costs Manage key risks and issues associated throughout the project lifecycle Manage changes through a robust change control process Manage the Project team through the use of clearly defined Work Packages Identify and manage key areas of conflict throughout the lifecycle Content Introduction Key characteristics of projects v Business as Usual Definition of Programmes and Portfolios Project Lifecycles – A structured approach using phases Reasons why projects fail 10 principles of successful project management The Concept (Feasibility) Phase Analysing the project context / environment Stakeholder needs and requirements Content of a Business Case Differences between Benefits, Success Criteria, Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) Purpose of the Project Brief The Definition (Planning) Phase Defining the Scope of a project Assigning Project roles and responsibilities Product Breakdown structures and Work Breakdown Structures Approaches to estimating Detailed planning using Gantt charts Critical path analysis Using project management software – an overview Constructing a realistic project budgets Resource allocation and optimisation Producing a Communication Plan The Implementing (Execution) Phase Delegating using a Work Package Project tracking and reporting Managing contractors Controlling changes to the project Risk and Issues management Managing conflict between stakeholders The Handover / Closure Phase Measuring project success Capturing Lessons Post project review and evaluation Benefits Realisation Transferring the deliverable into Business as Usual