The Comprehensive Project Management Program is a seventeen session program designed to improve participants’ understanding of project management and enhance on the job project performance.
This program is intended for employees needing to bridge the gap between formal schooling and real-world project management practice. For those with specialized project management experience, it will broaden and update their skills in effective project management.
The program has been reviewed and certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) and the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA™). These certifications ensure the training presents real-world best practice approaches. All training is conducted by Total Systems Education, Ltd., a globally recognized and award winning project management training provider.
The course is comprised of seven modules for a total of 136 hours of instruction. These modules are presented over 17 sessions, one or two sessions per week.
Sessions include a mix of presentations, workshops, and discussion. Upon request, modules include reference and/or use of applicable internal Project Management procedures as well as the use of Six-sigma DMAIC methodology. Pre-class preparatory homework assignments will also need to be completed, in addition to in-class assignments. To ensure hands-on practice and facilitate discussion class size is limited to 20 participants, 5 to 15 optimal. Homework and readings are assigned throughout, and, exams are given at the end of each topic.
In the first three sessions participants learn and practice tools and techniques needed to execute effective project planning, organizing, staffing, scheduling and controlling, while delivering quality work products. Best practices for negotiation, communication, risk management, change management, and coordination among stakeholders are covered in great detail. Once the foundation is set, program participants learn to use Microsoft™ Project to help facilitate and manage the process.
Since most projects span multiple departments, groups, and companies, this module will help participants develop realistic project requirements. Participants will learn how to identify stakeholders and elicit their needs, deliverables, and priorities. They will also create deliverables that define the scope of the project. By doing this, the production of quality products, on time, within budget and without surprises, can become a reality.
During the first half of this module, participants learn strategies, tools and tactics needed to ensure successful communications with all stakeholders. The second half of this module addresses risk. Since all projects contain risk, a major responsibility of the project manager is to lower and manage it. A six step risk process is presented and practiced in the second half of this module. Part of project risk is caused by the need to work with part time resources, all with varying priorities, from inside and outside the company.
An overview of everything covered to date! After completing a midterm examination, teams will work on a real-world project and present their Team Project results to the class, instructor and invited guests. Constructive feedback and recommendations will be offered.
During the first half, participants learn practical tools and techniques to first assess, then improve their personal leadership skills using real-world project situations and exercises. Also, project managers must be able to negotiate with everyone, about everything (delivery dates, resource commitments, budgets, and coordination with both internal support groups and external contractors)! He/she must also make certain that service level agreements and contracts are agreed upon and followed. Day two of this module does that!
Schedule and budget are always difficult to manage. Also includes presentations by internal SMEs.
This module teaches participants the strategies and tactics needed to ensure successful teamwork provide active and ongoing leadership and set well defined goals.
Participants must successfully complete all seven modules with a cumulative grade equivalent of 80% or higher to earn certification.
To facilitate continued knowledge and skill development, participants will be given a midterm team case study. Participants are expected to complete the assignment during the program hiatus. During that time, Total Systems instructors will be available for questions and mentoring.
All quizzes and tests will be robust and comprehensive and reflect the appropriate assessment of knowledge and application. Vendor will review and revise existing assessment exercises. The placement of the quizzes will also be reviewed.