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.

The aim of this training is to develop and enhance participants' planning and risk management skills in order to maximise the success of project work undertaken by the organisation.

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.

DAY ONE

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

DAY TWO

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 Images

Project planning and risk management (In-House)

By The In House Training Company

Booking options

Highlights