Many organisations find that project teams struggle to create and maintain effective plans. Estimates are often overly optimistic and risks go unmanaged until the inevitable happens. Resource managers also find it hard to forecast the likely loading on their departments and requests for support are not provided in a consistent format. This programme has been developed to address these needs in a very practical, hands-on format. Case study work can be based on simulations or on the organisation's current projects for maximum benefit to participants. The aim of this training is to develop and enhance participants' planning and risk management skills in order to maximise the success of project work undertaken by the organisation. The principal training objectives for this programme are to: Provide a structured, integrated approach to planning and risk management Demonstrate practical tools and techniques for each stage of planning Show how to organise and involve relevant people in the planning process Explain how to use the plan for forecasting and pro-active project control Identify ways to improve planning, both individually and corporately The course will emphasise the importance of participative planning techniques that improve the quality of plans whilst reducing overall time and cost of planning. The course will encourage discussion of internal procedures and practices and may be customised to include them if required. DAY ONE 1 Introduction (Course sponsor) Why this programme has been developed Review of participants' needs and objectives 2 Projects and planning Why plan? The benefits of good planning / penalties of poor planning Planning in the project lifecycle; the need for a 'living' plan The interaction between target setting and the planning process Team exercise: planning the project 3 Planning the plan Defining the application and structure of the plan Impact of planning decisions during the project lifecycle Using available time to create an effective plan 4 Defining deliverables Assessing the context; reviewing the goals and stakeholders Developing the scope and defining deliverables; scope mapping Understanding customer priorities; delivering value for money Case study: defining the project deliverables 5 Creating the work breakdown Building the work breakdown structure Detailing the tasks and sub-tasks; structured brainstorming Defining task ownership; the task responsibility matrix 6 Creating and using a logical network Developing the logical network; task boarding Determining the critical path and calculating float Accelerating the plan; concurrent programming and risk Individual and group exercises DAY TWO 7 Developing resource schedules Deriving the Gantt chart from the network Developing the detailed resource schedules Calculating the expenditure profile ('S' curve) 8 Estimating task durations and costs Understanding estimates: effort, availability and duration Estimating tools and techniques Application of estimating techniques during the project lifecycle 9 Case study Developing the project plan Refining the project plan Team presentations and discussion 10 Managing risks and refining the plan Awareness of contractual issues associated with risk Identifying and evaluating risks; deciding ownership Managing risks: determining levels of provision and contingency Controlling risks: maintaining an up-to date risk register 11 Planning for pro-active control The earned value analysis (EVA) concept and its predictive value Deriving the measures needed for cost and delivery performance Practical issues associated with implementing EVA 12 Using and maintaining the plan Tracking progress and updating the plan Publishing and controlling the plan 13 Course review and transfer planning (Course sponsor present) Identify ways of implementing the techniques learnt Sponsor-led review and discussion of proposals Conclusion
Wouldn't sales be a 'walk in the park' without challenging customers? Why is it that some customers are so difficult to please, so quick to call 'foul' at the slightest blip and so mean with their gratitude after we've bent over backwards to accommodate them? Whether we are looking at prospective or existing customers, there is a toolkit for dealing with the most challenging of them. This course will help participants: Use broad open questions to give the customer a platform for their opinions or issues Improve listening skills to really understand what's behind the customer's challenging style Probe specific phrases to show listening and earn deeper disclosure Use silence to let challenging customers 'blow off steam' Understand the negative impact of certain phrases on a challenging customer Summarise effectively and reassure the customer of our understanding of their needs Recognise the 'behaviour cycle' and avoid emotional escalation Understand 'transactional analysis' and how to bring people from 'child' to 'adult' state Create loyalty in customers who are slow to give trust 1 What makes a customer 'challenging'? Why customers challenge us - understanding their drivers 'Wearing their shoes' - seeing things from their perspective Understanding our own personality style How to flex with a style that is different from our own Ways to quickly recognise a customer's style The benefits of flexing with a challenging customer's style 2 Practical exercise - forum theatre Participants take it in turns to deal with the trainer (who plays the role of the challenging customer) Observers stop the action when they hear or see something they deem wrong The participant in the seat gets a chance to use a suggested alternative line The participant who makes the suggestion has the chance to occupy the seat and deliver it themselves Frequent feedback from the trainer as to how the participant's words are making him feel Opportunities to rewind the action if an ill-advised line is suggested and delivered Flipchart for capturing what worked, what didn't work and why Mehrabian principle - the importance of body language and tone over words used 3 Questioning and listening skills How to use open questions to get the customer talking What questions to avoid and why The use of pauses and silence to reduce tension and build trust What listening is and what it isn't Question funnelling - how to earn deeper disclosure through probing The power of summary 4 Transactional analysis explained What is transactional analysis (TA)? Exploring the TA states and why people behave in that way under pressure How to bring challenging customers to 'adult' state to reduce tension How 'parent' or 'child' behaviours can be inadvertently triggered Understanding the 'behavioural cycle' and how to break it Mini-role play 'vignettes' to demonstrate real time impact of ill-chosen words 5 How to build trust with challenging customers Techniques for placating current challenging customers Methods that the participants have already used effectively - understanding why those methods worked and how other participants can model them Participants' experiences of trust having been lost - understanding why those experiences had that negative outcome How to 'go the extra mile' with challenging customers 6 Bringing a 'real' challenging customer to life Participants give the trainer a brief profile of a specific challenging customer of theirs 5-10 minute roleplay in which the trainer brings that individual to life Observing participants - without interrupting - make notes on what is and isn't working Trainer stops the action half-way through to give feedback on how he is feeling Participant goes back into the roleplay having recalibrated their approach based on feedback Observers give feedback on what did and didn't work Trainer comes out of character to explain the impact of the participant's words and behaviours 7 Wrap-up Key learnings from each participant Individual action planning - steps that can and will be implemented in the workplace
Recognising the value of, and practising, clear and open communication at all levels is the first step to improving performance, whether at an individual, team, management, leadership or organisational level. We all know this, but why is it so difficult? This unique programme will make it much, much easier for you by giving you a robust framework to use - and the opportunity to practise your skills in a safe, supportive environment. It will help you have conversation that deliver tangible results. The programme will help you: Overcome the barriers to effective performance conversations Handle feedback conversations effectively Improve working relationships with your staff Set realistic expectations and targets (and get 'buy-in' for them) Improve your communication style Plan and prepare for honest conversations in the workplace 1 What is an honest conversation? Why don't we have them more often? What stops us? The cost of not having them 2 The feedback conversation Dealing with the impact of feedback conversations 3 Preparing for conflict 4 Effective working relationships 5 The expectations conversation 6 The targets conversation 7 Your communication styles 8 Planning and preparing for an honest conversation 9 Giving and receiving feedback skills
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is designed for project leaders, scrum masters, coaches, product owners, and team members who intend on taking the PMI-ACP© exam. This course provides participants with a foundation of the PMI-ACP© exam. Participants will be introduced to PMI Agile concepts and practices with banks of sample questions. PMI-ACP© Exam Preperation PMI-ACP© Exam Particulars Overview PMI-ACP© Exam Particulars PMI-ACP© Candidate Requirements PMI-ACP© Candidate Fees PMI-ACP© Exam Application Process Core Agile Concepts Core Agile Concepts Overview Traditional Project Management Methodologies Drawbacks of Waterfall Methodologies Agile Approach Empirical Process Control Agile and Traditional Project Management Choice of Methodologies/Frameworks The Agile Manifesto The Agile Manifesto Overview Manifesto Contributors Manifesto Values Manifesto Principles Common Agile Methodology Elements Common Agile Methodology Elements Overview Project (Product; Release) Initiation Agile Planning Iteration Planning and Executing Project Initiation Project Initiation Overview Determine Project Justifications and Metrics Provide Value-Driven Delivery Write Project Vision Statement Create Project Charter Identify Stakeholders and Leader/Coach Form Project Team Agile Teams and Team Space Agile Teams and Team Space Overview Scrum Master/Coach Product Owner/Customer Team Members/Developers (XP) Trackers and Testers Other Roles Team Space Physical Space Recommendations Agile Planning Agile Planning Overview Develop Epics and Stories Create Stories Non-Customer Facing Stories Personas and Extreme Personas Story Maps Estimating Stories Prioritizing Stories Create Product Backlog Create Product Roadmap Conduct Release Planning Create Parking Lot Iterations/Sprints Iterations/Sprints Overview Velocity Determination Iteration Planning Meeting Iteration Planning Guidelines Development Testing Daily Standup Meetings Progress Tracking Velocity Tracking Interpersonal Aspects of Agile Interpersonal Aspects of Agile Overview Methodologies and Uncertainty Coach/Scrum Master Team Motivation Soft Skills Emotional Intelligence Collaboration Negotiations Active listening Conflict Resolution Speed Leas? Model of Group Conflict Conducting Retrospectives Mindsets of Agile Coaches Leadership Stages Key Coaching Responsibilities Agile Methodologies Agile Methodologies Overview XP and Scrum Terms XP Terms and Concepts XP Primary Practices XP Corollary Practices Scrum Lean Software Development Seven Principles of Lean Seven Types of Muda Responsibilities Core Beliefs of Lean-Agile Software Development Other Principles of Lean-Agile Software Development Value Stream Mapping Lean-Agile Software Development Portfolio Management Additional course details: Nexus Humans PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Exam Preparation 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 PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Exam Preparation 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 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is designed for anyone currently working on Agile-based projects or having experience with other forms of project management experience and want to add Agile PM skills and knowledge to their portfolio. Anyone with any experience in project-based work, either from the customer or supplier side can benefit from this course, including but not limited to: project manager, team leaders and managers or project employees. Overview AgilePM ⢠certification is the result of collaboration between APMG-International and the DSDM Consortium. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is the longest existing Agile method and the only Agile method aimed at managing Agile projects. It Has evolved over the years into a Project Framework, and AgilePM is a subset tailored to the Agile project manager. Students will be explained how the model is set up, how the different project activities and project roles are connected and how AgilePM handles project management. This course provides preparation for the Foundation exam of APMG. Training Day 1 - AgilePM Foundation Topics What is Agile? Choosing an appropriate Agile approach philosophy, principles and project variables preparing for success The DSDM Process Training Day 2 - AgilePM Foundation Topics The People ? DSDM Roles and Responsibilities The DSDM Products Key practices ? prioritization and timeboxes Training Day 3 - AgilePM Foundation Topics Planning and control throughout the lifecycle Other practices: facilitated workshops, modeling and iterative development
Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is designed for individuals in a variety of job roles whose primary responsibility is not project management, but who manage projects on an informal basis; who contribute as members of a project team; or who wish to incorporate project management practices into their personal work. It is also beneficial for anyone who is considering a career path in project management and desiring a complete overview of the field and its generally accepted practices. Overview In this course, you will identify the elements of sound project management and apply the generally recognized project management practices to successfully manage or participate in projects. You will: Identify the key processes and requirements of project management. Initiate a project. Use a Predictive approach to plan for time and cost. Use an Adaptive approach to plan a project. Plan for project risks, communication, and change control. Manage the execution of a project. Close a project. This course teaches the fundamentals of project management and its underlying structure and elements, including project phases, project life cycles, stakeholders, and areas of expertise. These, coupled with the ability to identify the project management processes that are recognized industry wide as good practice, will help you to apply effective project management techniques to improve the efficiency of your projects and ensure their success. This course is designed to cover various project management approaches and is not intended to focus on a single methodology or framework. Lesson 1: Getting Started with Project Management Topic A: Identify the Characteristics of a Project Topic B: Identify the Project Approach Topic C: Identify the Leadership Roles in a Project Lesson 2: Initiating a Project Topic A: Create a Project Scope/Vision Statement Topic B: Identify the Essential Skills for a Project Team Topic C: Identify the Risks to a Project Lesson 3: Planning for Time and Cost in Predictive Projects Topic A: Create a WBS Topic B: Create a Project Schedule Topic C: Determine Project Costs Lesson 4: Planning for Adaptive Projects Topic A: Create Epics and User Stories Topic B: Build a Product Backlog Topic C: Create an Initial Release Plan Topic D: Conduct a Sprint Planning Meeting Topic E: Replan the Project Lesson 5: Planning for Project Risks, Communication, and Change Control Topic A: Analyze the Risks to a Project Topic B: Create a Communication Plan Topic C: Develop a Change Control Plan Lesson 6: Managing a Project Topic A: Begin Project Work Topic B: Execute the Project Plan Topic C: Track the Progress of an Adaptive Project Topic D: Report Project Performance Topic E: Implement Change Control Lesson 7: Closing a Project Topic A: Close a Sprint, a Release, or an Adaptive Project Topic B: Close a Predictive Project Topic C: Create a Final Report
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Psychosis Information coming soon - watch this space! Workshop outline: Details coming soon - watch this space! 2-hour workshop packages At Mindmaps Wellbeing, we know that every business is unique, and no team is the same. That’s why we’ve developed our range of short, specialist wellbeing and mental health themed workshops—a fully flexible approach to workplace training. With our selection of engaging and impactful 2-hour workshops, you can build a programme that truly meets your organisation’s needs. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, challenge stigma, or avoid burnout, you choose the sessions that suit your team best. Our training courses and workshop collection Book multiple workshops on the same day to save Why Mindmaps Wellbeing? Mindmaps Wellbeing is the trusted training provider for businesses looking to enhance workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Our training is designed and delivered by registered Mental Health Nurses, ensuring credibility, expertise, and real-world application. Focus on culture change – Our training goes beyond theory transfer, aiming to embed lasting behavioural shifts that foster a positive, mentally healthy workplace Flexible delivery options – We offer in-person, online, and hybrid training solutions to fit your organisation’s needs Proven impact and measurable results – Our training leads to improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention Engaging and actionable – All our courses include interactive activities, case studies, and real-world applications for immediate impact Contact us for more information.
Living On The Edge Risk Taking Behaviour Information coming soon: watch this space! Workshop outline: Details coming soon: watch this space! 2-hour workshop packages At Mindmaps Wellbeing, we know that every business is unique, and no team is the same. That’s why we’ve developed our range of short, specialist wellbeing and mental health themed workshops—a fully flexible approach to workplace training. With our selection of engaging and impactful 2-hour workshops, you can build a programme that truly meets your organisation’s needs. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, challenge stigma, or avoid burnout, you choose the sessions that suit your team best. Our training courses and workshop collection Book multiple workshops on the same day to save Why Mindmaps Wellbeing? Mindmaps Wellbeing is the trusted training provider for businesses looking to enhance workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Our training is designed and delivered by registered Mental Health Nurses, ensuring credibility, expertise, and real-world application. Focus on culture change – Our training goes beyond theory transfer, aiming to embed lasting behavioural shifts that foster a positive, mentally healthy workplace Flexible delivery options – We offer in-person, online, and hybrid training solutions to fit your organisation’s needs Proven impact and measurable results – Our training leads to improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention Engaging and actionable – All our courses include interactive activities, case studies, and real-world applications for immediate impact Contact us for more information.
I Can Cope, Society Can't Information coming soon - watch this space! Workshop outline: Details coming soon - watch this space! 2-hour workshop packages At Mindmaps Wellbeing, we know that every business is unique, and no team is the same. That’s why we’ve developed our range of short, specialist wellbeing and mental health themed workshops—a fully flexible approach to workplace training. With our selection of engaging and impactful 2-hour workshops, you can build a programme that truly meets your organisation’s needs. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, challenge stigma, or avoid burnout, you choose the sessions that suit your team best. Our training courses and workshop collection Book multiple workshops on the same day to save Why Mindmaps Wellbeing? Mindmaps Wellbeing is the trusted training provider for businesses looking to enhance workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Our training is designed and delivered by registered Mental Health Nurses, ensuring credibility, expertise, and real-world application. Focus on culture change – Our training goes beyond theory transfer, aiming to embed lasting behavioural shifts that foster a positive, mentally healthy workplace Flexible delivery options – We offer in-person, online, and hybrid training solutions to fit your organisation’s needs Proven impact and measurable results – Our training leads to improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention Engaging and actionable – All our courses include interactive activities, case studies, and real-world applications for immediate impact Contact us for more information.
Burnout or Bounce Back Information coming soon: watch this space! Workshop outline: Details coming soon: watch this space! 2-hour workshop packages At Mindmaps Wellbeing, we know that every business is unique, and no team is the same. That’s why we’ve developed our range of short, specialist wellbeing and mental health themed workshops—a fully flexible approach to workplace training. With our selection of engaging and impactful 2-hour workshops, you can build a programme that truly meets your organisation’s needs. Whether you’re looking to manage stress, challenge stigma, or avoid burnout, you choose the sessions that suit your team best. Our training courses and workshop collection Book multiple workshops on the same day to save Why Mindmaps Wellbeing? Mindmaps Wellbeing is the trusted training provider for businesses looking to enhance workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Our training is designed and delivered by registered Mental Health Nurses, ensuring credibility, expertise, and real-world application. Focus on culture change – Our training goes beyond theory transfer, aiming to embed lasting behavioural shifts that foster a positive, mentally healthy workplace Flexible delivery options – We offer in-person, online, and hybrid training solutions to fit your organisation’s needs Proven impact and measurable results – Our training leads to improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention Engaging and actionable – All our courses include interactive activities, case studies, and real-world applications for immediate impact Contact us for more information.