Project Management Foundations - 2-day Workshop
Organizations that apply project management best practices complete projects on time 28% more often and on budget 24% more often. The Project Management Foundations workshop delivers the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to apply essential project management skills across predictive, agile, or hybrid approaches. Aspiring and current project managers, team leads, and professionals who manage projects gain the tools to define project scope, engage project stakeholders, and create project plans that fit the organizational environment. This fundamental, discussion-driven course aligns with PMI guidelines and can be applied toward maintaining PMP or other Project Management Institute certifications. Participants also explore AI-powered tools and develop leadership and management capabilities for successful project execution. Note: This project management course provides 16 PMI PDUs and a certificate of completion.
Description
Module 1: Project Context
- Understanding Projects, Products, and Processes
- Project Management and the Stages of the Project Life Cycle
- Key Factors Affecting the Project Environment
- Defining What Project Success Looks Like
Module 2: Project Approach
- Comparing Waterfall and Agile Methodologies
- Agile Manifesto and Core Principles
- Introduction to Scrum and Kanban Frameworks
- Embracing and Managing Change
Module 3: Partnering with Stakeholders
- Key Project Roles and Responsibilities
- Using the Stakeholder Register Effectively
- Creating a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) and RACI Diagram Exercise
Module 4: Initiating the Project
- Predictive Project Life Cycles
- Developing and Using Project Charters
- Charter Creation Exercise
Module 5: Planning the Project
- Best Practices for Building a Project Management Plan
- Components of a Comprehensive PM Plan
- Balancing Project Constraints
Module 6: Defining Project Scope
- Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- WBS Development Example
Module 7: Defining and Estimating Activities
- Breaking Down Activities into Manageable Tasks
- Defining Activities Exercise
- Understanding Effort vs. Duration
- Estimation Techniques and Resource Planning
- Rolling Wave Planning
- Activity Estimation Exercise
Module 8: Developing the Project Schedule
- Sequencing Activities for Logical Flow
- Understanding Dependencies, Leads, and Lags
- Determining the Critical Path and Float
- Schedule Compression Techniques
- Schedule Presentation Formats
- Budget Development
- Schedule and Budget Creation Exercise
Module 9: Planning Project Communications
- Common Communication Challenges and Best Practices
- Assessing Stakeholder Communication Needs
- Tailoring Communication for Stakeholders
- Creating a Communications Matrix
- Project Communications Plan Exercise
Module 10: Planning Project Risk Management
- Roles and Responsibilities in Risk Management
- Overcoming Risk Identification Challenges
- Identifying Known and Unknown Risks
- Using Contingency Reserves
- Conducting Risk Analysis
- Calculating Expected Monetary Value (EMV)
- Recognizing Risk Triggers
- Maintaining a Risk Register
- Planning Risk Responses
- Risk Register Creation Exercise
Module 11: Artificial Intelligence in Project Management
- Generative AI (GenAI) vs. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
- Practical Applications of AI in Project Management
- Understanding the Risks of Using GenAI
Module 12: Executing a Project
- Leading and Managing Projects Effectively
- Building Team Trust and Cohesion
- Engaging Stakeholders Throughout Execution
- Leveraging Power Skills and Emotional Intelligence
Module 13: Overseeing and Controlling the Project
- Distinguishing Between Monitoring and Controlling Activities
- Change Management Processes
- Tracking Progress and Reporting Results
- Controlling the Project Schedule
- Monitoring Communications, Risks, and Stakeholder Engagement
- Top 10 Project Monitoring and Controlling Practices
- Project Tracking Requirements Exercise
Module 14: Closing a Project
- Closing Projects, Phases, or Milestones
- Capturing and Applying Lessons Learned
- Celebrating Project Achievements
Module 15: Wrap-Up
- Reviewing Open Items (“Parking Lot” Review)
- Key Takeaways, Confirmations, and New Ideas
Prerequisites
Target Audience
Anyone seeking to strengthen or refresh their understanding of foundational project management concepts and techniques, including both new and experienced project managers, team leads, and professionals responsible for delivering projects.