Project Management: Skills for Success

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? Through a media-enhanced, simulated case study, you learn how to successfully plan, manage and deliver projects using best practices in a 6-step process. You also learn how to implement project management processes, develop leadership skills and respond to real-world scenarios. At the end of the course, you take away templates and checklists for use back at the office. How is this course structured? This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlusTM - an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing, and video/computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization! Is the course for people new in the role of project management? Yes. This course teaches best-practice techniques for running projects in a businesslike and professional way. Anyone who is responsible for planning and executing a job plan will benefit from this course. The material is applicable to a wide range of project types. Participants are usually: Project team members who want a better understanding of projects and project management processes Those who have been on technical staffs who have the responsibility for managing projects Those who represent the business or user in a multidiscipline environment Those who have been managing projects and are convinced there must be a better way to get projects delivered on time and within budget How does this course differ from other management courses on the market? This course is concerned with training the "whole manager." The course has three main focuses: Basic project management techniques and tools needed to produce a win-win plan State-of-the-art PC-based tools that eliminate the project administrative burden Managerial skills necessary to plan and run a project, and the leadership skills to manage a team How does this course differ from Course 340? Course 296 teaches the principles and best practices of running a broad range of projects. Course 340, Project Management for Software Development, also covers project management fundamentals, but it focuses on the unique aspects of software development projects. Participants should not take both Course 296 and Course 340; there is significant overlap in the content of these two courses. Is this a course on Microsoft Project? You use Microsoft Project 2007 as a vehicle for demonstration and learning in some of the course workshops. However, the intent is not to teach any particular tool, but to demonstrate its role within the broader scope of state-of-the-art techniques on project management. Course 299, Microsoft® Project: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, provides extensive hands-on experience using Microsoft Project 2007. Why do you use Microsoft Project? Microsoft Project is one of the most widely used project management tools and is included in this course to further simulate an authentic work environment. Do you deal with any other project management tools? Although some of the workshops are structured around Microsoft Project 2007, several other applications are used in the workshops. Participants who use some of these other tools are encouraged to share their opinions and experiences. This, coupled with the instructor's awareness of comparative features, invariably results in a spirited and helpful review providing useful insights for particular situations. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introduction to project management 2.5 Building a project charter 2.5 Core project leadership skills 1.0 Identifying and structuring project work 2.0 Building high-confidence estimates 2.0 Task sequencing and scheduling 3.5 Effectively matching resources to work 2.5 Developing a risk management process 2.0 Setting the baseline 2.0 Running the project 3.0 Closing the project 1.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What kinds of activities are covered in the course workshops? Approximately 70 percent of class time is spent in activities. Planning is based on a solid framework involving the project team in a six-step process to produce a viable project plan. Very quickly you reach the proficiency level required to handle the basic project planning activities. This course then leads you through the steps needed to produce a baseline plan for a real-world case study. For example, as part of your baseline plan, you learn to produce network diagrams and Gantt charts, Work Breakdown Structures and resource histograms. As soon as you've developed your initial plan, your instructor reminds you of reality-he or she advances the delivery date or removes some of your resources! Your next task is to revise the plan to meet the changed requirements. During a simulated execution phase, you prepare progress and status reports using the PC tools. The emphasis is always on the case study, not the tool being used to aid the activities. What additional benefits do attendees gain from this course? Working in small groups encourages cross-fertilization of ideas from many different businesses. Attendees also gain confidence in presenting project management issues and reports to a critical audience. Each attendee manages the schedule and deliverables of a short workshop session. Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Professional (PMI) certification? Yes. Though the course is not designed as preparation for the exam, this course is beneficial to anyone working toward PMI's PMP certification. For those who are currently certified, completion of this course counts as 23 professional development units (60 units must be completed every three years to maintain certification). For more details, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A. If you are an experienced project manager intending to take the PMP exam, you should take Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam. In this course you learn essential PMBOK® Guide terminology, tools and techniques. You gain practical test-taking experience through PMI-style practice exams and create your own personal study plan for continued use after the course. If you are interested in taking the PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification exam, you should take Course 920, Preparing for the Program Management Professional (PgMP®) Exam. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? 248, Project Scheduling and Budgeting provides you with the skills to build schedules and budgets that transform project constraints into project success 287, Strategic Project Management: Achieving Organizational Goals is a follow-on to Course 296. Participants gain experience using advanced methods to initiate, plan and control large or diverse projects 919, SharePoint® for Project Management provides the skills to exploit SharePoint Technologies to manage successful projects 908, Making Successful Business Decisions: Getting it Right the First Time offers the skills to make intelligent decisions with limited time and information 299, Microsoft® Project: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides extensive practical experience using Microsoft Project 915, The PMBOK® Guide in Practice: Applying the Principles to Your Projects enables you to apply the most relevant and practical principles of the PMBOK® Guide to the everyday activities needed to successfully manage projects in your organization 340, Project Management for Software Development focuses on the unique aspects of software development projects 290, Management Skills provides new and experienced managers with the practical skills needed to lead effective teams 292, Communication Skills: Results Through Collaboration emphasizes specific tools and techniques for improving listening skills, delivering effective messages and bridging different communication styles 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results Without Direct Authority focuses on the specific behaviors and attitudes that enable you to achieve desired results without relying on the use of authority

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