Advanced Project Management Programme

Course Outline

Module I: Planning, Organising & Controlling Projects

DAY 1

Reviewing the Fundamentals

• Understanding projects: Differences between large/small and simple/complex projects
• The 'project life cycle' and the role of project management
• Current trends in project management: Project management associations and qualifications
• Project performance measurement: Understanding why some projects succeed and others don’t
• A framework for building project success: Improving project management performance
• The different project roles, responsibilities, and boundaries: RACI Charts
• Key financial concepts: Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, and Payback Periods

DAY 2

Initiating and Defining Projects

• Initiating projects: Project context and environment
• Setting realistic objectives: Defining project scope and deliverables
• Managing expectations and agreeing priorities: Ensuring value for money
• Developing a work breakdown structure: Defining roles and specifying work packages
• Developing a cost breakdown structure: Techniques for making preliminary estimates of time and cost
• Using appropriate project planning methods: Applying a structured approach
• Initiating risk management: Using qualitative risk analysis techniques

DAY 3

Planning Projects for Results

• Building a realistic project plan: Using Gantt charts and activity networks
• Using the plan to develop detailed task and resource schedules
• Identifying the critical path and setting milestones: Getting buy-in from the key players
• Techniques for developing detailed estimates for time and cost: Managing estimating uncertainty
• Minimising project timescales: Exploring time-cost options and understanding trade-offs
• Managing project risks: Qualitative and quantitative risk management methods and techniques
• The importance of continuous planning: Maintaining and updating plans and risk registers

DAY 4

Organising, Implementing, and Controlling Projects

• Handling the changes and challenges that affect projects
• Running effective change control processes
• Project performance tracking, management, and control systems
• Pro-active and re-active control: Measures that give early warning
• Using predictive control techniques: Gantt charts, burn-down charts, and earned value methods
• Managing project communication and decision making: Running effective meetings
• Exploiting information management technology: Managing project documentation

DAY 5

Project Leadership and Team-Working

• Working in project teams: Building collaborative working relationships
• Understanding leadership and management: Qualities and skills that enhance results
• The role of the leader in building team cohesion and performance: The team development cycle
• The keys to effective influence and persuasion: Characteristics of successful leaders
• Improving communication, delegation, and motivation skills
• Working with senior stakeholders: Creating rapport and understanding, managing expectations
• Lean concepts and the learning cycle: Implementing continuous improvement

Module II: Managing and Supervising Projects, Consultants and Contractors

DAY 6

Project Management in the Construction Industry 

• Introduction to Construction Management
• Stages of Construction Project Management
• The role of a Project Manager/Supervisor in Construction Management
• Defining and understanding the goals, risks and quality of a project
• The major elements of a Construction Project and Safety Management

DAY 7

Scope of Work, Detailed Specifications and Construction Pricing 

• Defining the detailed requirements and Scope of Work
• Understanding and Managing Project Constraints
• The absolute importance of collaboration with key stakeholders to determine the actual drawings and specifications
• Estimation and Costing techniques
• Construction Price and Cost Indices (PCIs)

DAY 8

Procurement, Tendering and Selection 

• Critical importance of Strategic Procurement Planning
• The Bidding and Bid Evaluation Process
• Understand Consultants and Contractor Firms’ Pricing Strategies
• Value for Money and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for complex purchases
• The Fundamentals of Earned Value Management

DAY 9

Contract Development and Negotiation 

• Understanding the concept and principle of contract law
• Analysis of the Contract requirements
• Model Contract Formats – specific for Consultants and Contractors
• Contract dispute and responding to a contract breach
• The Art of Negotiation and Persuasion

DAY 10

Managing Performance and Decision-Making Skills 

• Issues in Contract Performance and major causes of change to contracts
• Managing Supplier Performance and Expectations
• Service Level Agreements, developing and managing Key Performance Indicators
• Decision Making Theory: Process, Models and Stages
• Ability and confidence to make the right decision