EPM, Exploring Project Management

Duration

2 days

Course Description:

Elements of this syllabus are subject tchange.

In today’s dynamically changing business environment projects are initiated under tighter budgetary, resource and time constraints more than ever before. This seminar focuses on the core project communications management skills, as presented in the PMBOK® Guide, 4th Edition, that are required to manage a project.  The program will provide the attendees with proven "real life" tools and techniques, and put into context through various exercises and scenarios and case studies.

Course Audience:

This course is intended for both project team members and project managers wishing to gain a fluent working knowledge of commonly accepted best practices for planning and implementing project communications.  Team members and managers looking to improve their communication skills and looking to improve their understanding of how on-going communications planning and implementation can foster project success should take this course.  Students on a track to take the PMP examination should take this course.

Prerequisites:

To ensure your success, we recommend you have taken a foundation course in project management or have strong working knowledge or experience in project communication.

Delivery Method:  Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with structured minds-on and hands-on activities.

Benefits:  Students will learn how to use communications management techniques to plan, organize, control, document, and improve their project communications.

Performance-Based Objectives:

• Discuss the processes of Project Communications Management and a project manager's role in it.
• Discuss the Identify Stakeholder and Stakeholder Analysis processes.
• List and discuss challenges to effective communication and how to deal with these challenges.
• Discuss key elements of project management communications and reporting.
• List and discuss elements of a Communications Management Plan.
• Discuss techniques for distributing project information.
• Learn how to Report Performance to track a project’s progress and report on any variances.
• Discuss techniques for managing the expectations of project stakeholders.
• Discuss project closure activities

Course Outline:

Module 1        Introduction

Session Overview
Exercise – Project Communication Problems

Module 2        Communication Challenges

Project Communications Management
PMBOK® Guide Processes
Exercise – T-Exercise
Communication Concerns
The Dimensions of Communication

Module 3        Identify Stakeholders

The Triple Constraint
Stakeholder Analysis
Exercise – Identify Project Stakeholders
Identifying Stakeholder Impact and Interests
Exercise –Stakeholders 2 x 2 Matrix
Stakeholder Management Strategy

Module 4        Planning Project Communications

Project Subsidiary Management Plans
Plan Communications
Communication Planning Factors
Communication Channels
Communication Media
Project Communication Requirements Analysis
Project Communications Management Plan Components
Communication Planning Table
Exercise – Create a Communications Planning Matrix for a project
Performance Measurement Baselines
Calculating Variance

Module 5        Distribute Information

Information Distribution Tools and Techniques
Information Distribution Methods
Exercise – Recommended/Not Recommended practices for communications tools
Lessons Learned
Exercise – Determine variances

Module 6        Manage Stakeholder Expectations

Tools & Techniques
Management Skills

• Business Writing
• Issues Management
• Issues Management Plans
• Process Flow for Issues Management
• Tools and Best Practices for Issues Management

Module 7        Report Performance

• Earned Value
• Calculating Earned Value
• Using EVMS to Forecast

Exercise – Earned Value Calculations

• Types of Reports

Perform Integrated Change Control
Exercise – Performance Reporting and Corrective Actions

Module 8        Project Closure

Closing Processes
Close Project or Phase process
Discussion – What happens at project closure?

• Contract
• Closure Administrative
• Closure Archive

Project Records
Lessons Learned
Course Summary
Course Review
Appendix – Communication Tools and Techniques

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