Course description
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.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Outcome / Qualification etc.
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.
Training Course Content
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
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
Course delivery details
Request info
The In-House Training Company
We offer top-quality in-house training, in a wide range of subjects, at sensible prices. All of our programmes are delivered by independent subject specialists who also have outstanding training skills. We have rigorous standards and only work with the very...