Workshop Overview

In the course of the last decade the global business arena has shifted from steady well established markets to rapidly changing and dynamic markets.  As organizations are exposed to an increasing number of opportunities and risks, modern management has responded with updated management techniques.  Progressive Project Management is amongst the leading techniques used by modern management. The acquisition of skill and knowledge in leading Project Management techniques have become recognized as an essential prerequisite for today’s successful manager.

This is the setting that Lewis Trigger’s project management workshop addresses.  Lewis draws on his wide and in depth knowledge and experience of Project Management to provide a system’s approach to project management.  Practical tools and techniques set in the framework of a structured methodology are taught, reinforced, and internalised through the extensive use of class exercises, case studies and open discussion.  The methodology adopts a life cycle approach to project management: - we begin with the initial choice of the project concept; move on to the preliminary screening process; continue on to the planning stage of content, budget, time frame, and organizational structure; issues of supplier selection and contract are finalised; considerations of “Time to Market”, risk management,  configuration management, reallocation of resources, and project control are integrated as part of the day to day management of the project; finally the product is released which signals project termination.  Leading management techniques such as the Theory of Constraints and Concurrent Engineering are interwoven into the workshop.  Much of the body of knowledge passed on by the workshop is in sink with the internationally recognized standard of the PMI (Project Management Institute).

Participants will be made familiar with the technical concepts and professional language used in Project Management. 

Participants will receive comprehensive documentation including all presentation material, exercises and case studies used.

 

Key benefits of attending

The core challenge facing any project team is meeting performance specifications within a given time frame and budget.  In order to meet that challenge the following skills will be acquired:

• Supplying the “building blocks” of project planning - WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) methodology; OBS (Organizational Breakdown Structure) methodology; Budget planning; Scheduling based on PERT techniques.

• Leading contemporary project management techniques and skills - Risk Management; Concurrent Engineering; DFM (Design for Manufacturing); Configuration Control; Earned Value Methodology. 

• Optimising decision making – adapting ‘The Learning Organization” paradigm of Peter Senge; the LCC (Life Cycle Cost) approach.

• Using common sense, uncomplicated management techniques to enhance performance – weighted matrix model (AHP); sensitivity & break-even analysis; cost-benefit analysis; making the most from DRs (Design Reviews) and PMRs (Program Management Reviews)

• Project control – making the most through an integrated approach. 

• Gain management tips – lessons that have been drawn from success and failure.

• Using a contract as a management tool – Fixed Price vs. Cost Reimbursed.  

• Learning to be “Effective” as opposed to being “Efficient” – based on the TOC (Theory of Constraints) approach.

• Reinforcing a system’s approach to Project Management.

• Providing a common language for the project teams.

 

Who should attend

Project Managers, members of project teams. The principles emphasised are equally relevant for the development and or acquisition of systems as well as “internal” projects such as implementing ERP systems, or maintenance projects.  The workshop is particularly suited to project engineers who wish to reinforce their project managerial skills.   

 

Workshop methodology

Emphasis is placed on the active involvement of the participants.  To this end, case studies and exercises are extensively used, and group learning through open discussions are encouraged.