

A proven process that can be immediately understood and implemented by your whole team
Project Planning Breakthroughs
At a Glance
Who Should Attend:
Anyone, novice or veteran, who manages, supports or initiates projects.
Format:
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A 3-day workshop using case study projects to implement theory and techniques for success. Participants will plan and work in teams to complete 4 case study projects of increasing scope and complexity.
Tools Provided:
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A Comprehensive Learning Guide
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A Complete Project Planning Kit
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The book 'Making it Happen - a Non-Technical Guide to Project Management'
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Subscription to our monthly LearningLink e-newsletter
Related Training:
Regardless of the diversity among people, locations, departments, or disciplines involved, this program provides a streamlined overview of the basics, while focusing on a vastly improved methodology to meet the rigorous challenges of developing a project execution plan.
This course goes beyond the standards in the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the recognized learning designation in this field and has 21 PDUs (Professional Development Units) recognized by the Project Management Institute. Priority Management is also registered with the Project Management Institute as a Global Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.)
This course will help you:
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Develop a complete and comprehensive Objective Statement; the foundation of a successful project
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Create a detailed Execution Plan using a unique process called Objective Driven Logic, applied to a Time-Scaled Dependency Chart
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Apply a simple, yet powerful method to resolve complex resource constraints
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Calculate a detailed Budget and Cash Requirement Projection
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Integrate contingency planning through "Scenario Estimating"
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Determine where and when to best apply project management software
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Bring final closure to the project through the application of a 3-level review process

Your projects:
- on time
- on budget
...every time
A proven process that can be immediately understood and implemented by your whole team
"The Project Management (Planning) Breakthroughs programme gives in two days a perfect global view of the very specific requirements of a project environment. After a first session dedicated to our Engineers, we decided to spread it throughout the whole Puratos organization as we all regularly work on projects in an interdependent way. Starting with Belgium, we have already run a specific session in China for an important new project. The Team Members were so enthusiastic!
The methodology and the proposed tools are simple, down to earth, very practical and so easy to implement that a lot of trainees decided to use them immediately in their new projects, The Objective Statement in particular, when used correctly, is the right answer to regular issues due to uncontrolled changes of scope. For several months time, this tool has been commonly used when starting work on projects. No doubt that the near future will show us the benefits of the other steps and tools of the methodology!"
B.H.
Group Engineering Director
Puratos Group
"The Project Management (Planning) Breakthrough Course was just that - a breakthrough for me! It enabled me to look at planning in a completely different way, giving me strategies and handy hints to help me with my project planning. The principles I learnt can be applied to any type of project, no matter how big or small. In fact, I rushed home from my course and used these principles to plan some small renovations at home - which I am proud to say were completed on time and on budget! Thank you Priority Management for giving me yet another skill to improve my productivity in the workplace."
J.N.
Research Manager
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
Detailed Synopsis
The Project Planning Breakthroughs Workshop focuses on the challenge of providing practical improvement solutions to organizations that often already know the basics of project management. This is accomplished by two important breakthroughs: For the novice, Project Planning Breakthroughs provides a streamlined overview of the basics, while focusing on the rigorous challenges to developing the crucial element of the project Execution Plan. For the veteran, PPB provides a brief, yet relevant overview of the basics with a strong emphasis on a vastly improved method for developing the project Execution Plan.
Introduction:
Projects have existed since before the Pyramids, and yet as a professional discipline it is relatively new. We start by looking at the development of project management in both traditional and non-traditional project organizations. Here we discover the challenge
of the Two Worlds of Work and how Project work differs from Operational work and identify where projects come from. We then examine the five stages in a new framework for managing assignments and projects. As well, we discuss how project management fits in with Strategic Planning.
Unit 1: Genesis
In the beginning… This unit looks at how we clarify exactly what the project is all about and what it is to achieve. Through the use of an Objective Statement, we define the Project Charter along with the Scope Statement in a unique but powerful format. Along
with this we examine the roles and responsibilities within the project team, especially the crucial relationship between the Project Manager and the Project Sponsor.
Unit 2: Design
In any successful project it is imperative that we determine “what” is going to be created before figuring out “how” to create it. This unit focuses on the requirements for both the conceptual and the detailed design. It is her e that the fundamental elements of Performance Criteria are brought to bear. “When we are all finished, what will we measure the final outcome to determine our level of success.”
Unit 3: Execution Planning
Whether you are a novice just starting out on your first project, or you are a seasoned veteran who’s been involved with projects for decades, this is the unit that will pay the largest dividends. The PPB program will present a unique, world-class combination of methods, tools and skills that will produce the most effective execution plan in the most efficient manner. Through the use of generically crafted case-studies, we will discover how easy it is to determine the tasks, their duration, dependencies and schedule. Also, we will allocate resources and through an ingenious technique, resolve even the toughest resource conflicts. To top it off, we will tackle the thorny issue of project budget, as well as the costs of ‘crashing’ (shrinking) the project schedule.
Unit 4: Execution
Once the Execution Plan is complete we need to consider the reality of change and its implication on the project and the four interdependent variables – Quality, Scope, Schedule and Cost. Here we investigate the challenge of handling incremental as well as transformation change. The latter is tackled through a step-by-step approach that is designed to dissipate the ever-present possibility of panic. The other key challenge at this point is how does the individual or small team deal with their respective tasks. And at the same time, how do they cope with the challenge of Two Worlds of Work… their operational commitments and their project commitments.
Unit 5: Reviews
Nothing is worse than going through all the effort and heartache of a project, good or bad, only to rush off at the end without the satisfaction of bringing about final closure. In this unit we will counter the age-old excuse; ‘I don’t have time.’ The time spent here is often repaid many times over as important lessons are remembered and passed on to other project teams. Our unique ‘3-review’ process ensures a positive morale boost as participants and nonparticipants alike enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a job come to full completion. successful influencing experience.