Training Course on Project Management Essentials for Development Projects with Microsoft Project

Course Description

Projects are an increasingly important aspect of modern business and Project Management is recognized as one of the fastest growing professions today. This course introduces the project manager to the essential project management concepts and methods. Through discussion, workshops and real-world examples, participants learn how to identify project components, organize them effectively and control the project from the earliest steps of developing the project charter through the final steps of a project - documenting lessons learned. The course underlines the importance of understanding the relationship between projects and organization’s strategic goals. It also discusses the technical, cultural, and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully manage projects from initiation to closure. It emphasizes that project management is a professional discipline with its own tools, body of knowledge, and skills. Concepts are reinforced by case studies covering a wide variety of project types and industries.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Understand key aspects of project design, planning, implementation, administration and Monitoring and Evaluation
• Understand approaches to design, implement, monitor and evaluate projects
• Link a logical framework and translate it into a concise and transparent budget and a simple work plan
• Understand best practices techniques for project management, monitoring and evaluation
• Understand and appreciate the use of Microsoft Project in project planning and monitoring

Training Methodology

The course is designed to be highly interactive, challenging and stimulating. It will be an instructor led training and will be delivered using a blended learning approach comprising of presentations, discussions, guided sessions of practical exercise, case study review, web based tutorials, group work and exploration of relevant issues. Our facilitators are seasoned industry professionals with years of expertise in their chosen fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.

Course Content

Introduction, Definition and Attributes of Projects, Project Management and Project Lifecycle

• Definitions: Project and Project Management
• Operations/Programs/Portfolios/Subprojects
• Progressive Elaboration vs Scope Creep
• The Triple Constraint
• Ten Knowledge Areas
• Project Life Cycle & Phases
• Benefits of Structured Project Management
• Environmental & Organizational Influences
• Project Stakeholders

Project Management Processes

• Initiating Processes
• Planning Processes
• Executing Processes
• Monitoring & Controlling Processes
• Closing Processes
• Change, Deliverable & Information Flow
• Project Success Factors

Project Scope Management

• Project Scope Management Processes
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Using the WBS to Estimate Effort and Costs
• Best Practices for Estimating Effort
• Project Planning and Cost Controls
• Statement of Work (SOW)
• Customer Approvals and Reviews
• Scope Change Control
• Project Management Offices

Project Monitoring & Evaluation

• An overview of Monitoring, Control and Evaluation
• Concepts in Monitoring and Evaluation
• Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation in Project Implementation
• Monitoring and Controlling Risks

Effective Project M&E & Results-Based Management (RBM)

• Framework for Effective Monitoring and Evaluation
• Designing and Setting Up an Effective Monitoring and Evaluation System
• Understanding Results-Based Management (RBM)

Project Objectives & Targets that Facilitates Effective M&E

• The Essentials of Defining Your Project
• SMART Goals
• Considering Resources and Common Goods
• Participatory Indicator Selection and Target Setting

Project Life Cycle and Project Planning

• Opportunities, Challenges and Difficulties Inherent in Project Management
• Defining Project Parameters

Project Human Resource Management

• Exercising Leadership as a Project Manager,
• Development of Project Teams
• Roles and Responsibilities – RAM (Responsibility Assignment Matrix)
• Managing Meetings
• Time Management and Personal Effectiveness
• Negotiating for and Scheduling the Necessary Resources
• Enhancing Teamwork and Motivating People

Tools, Methods and Approaches for Facilitating M&E

• The Logical Framework as a Tool for the Design of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
• Building Monitoring and Evaluation Teams
• Baseline Surveys and Role in Bench Marking
• Project Milestones and Performance Indicators
• Quantitative and Qualitative Indicators
• Tools for Data Collection, Processing, Analysis
• Leadership and Effective Communication for Motivation
• Project Progress Tracking
• Group Assignment and Presentation

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME)

• Participatory Community Monitoring and Evaluation
• Aims of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME)
• Steps in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME)

Use of MS Project as a Project Management and Monitoring Tool

• Overview of MS Project
• Role of MS Project in Planning
• Working with MS Project

Evaluations, Learning and Improvement

• Understanding Project Implementation
• Evaluation Types & Designs
• Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluations

Communicating and Reporting M&E Findings

• Audience Analysis to Identify Reporting Needs
• Type of Reports
• Writing Monitoring and Evaluation Reports
• Dissemination of Monitoring and Evaluation Results

Practical Group Exercises

• Choose a Project Of Preference, Develop an Implementation Plan, a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan & Prepare a Sample Report.
• Demonstrate How Monitoring & Evaluation will be Conducted in the Chosen Project

Requirements

Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

NOTE

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees caters for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fee paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

How to Book

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on: +254720272325 / +254737566961

Payment Options: We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date in order to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for the all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less to the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training at a later date, or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request to a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it delivered at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com 

Accommodation: Accommodation is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com  or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961