Course Catalog

Project Management Fundamentals

Description

Many projects are performed by highly competent and effective people who have little or no project management training. They perform projects like process improvement, marketing campaign development, new product development, event planning and production, and other “tasks” which are projects. Project Management Fundamentals (PMF) is designed to support those people who need a solid foundation in project management, without being unnecessarily burdened to learn it while on the job.

The course offers practical skills, concepts, and principles that can be taken back to the workplace, along with insights needed to adapt them to specific project environments. In today’s environment, that means possibly adapting to Agile / Iterative methods. So we have recently added key Agile concepts to provide a basic understanding of shifting towards agility.

Since PMF’s course goal is to achieve quality performance by learning effective planning and control, the focus is on a process orientation and an analytical, systems-oriented approach. Together, these frameworks promote project-related problem solving and decision-making skills necessary for real world projects. They honor project needs for collaboration, clear communications among people, and interpersonal and relationship skills. Recognition of these needs are woven throughout PMF, but are highlighted in two specific areas:

Module 2 – People and Projects
Module 8 – Executing, Communicating, and Developing the Team

The design of PMF as a learning experience is also rooted in real world perspectives. It minimizes instructor-led segments (~30%) while maximizing time devoted to interactive events (~70%). These include:

Whole group discussions
Multiple configurations of structured groupings (individual, paired, small group, and whole class)
Case study based team exercises (3 basic cases are provided, which can be modestly tailored to the learners’ needs in the classroom in real time)
Frequent individual reflection times, including time dedicated to creating a Personal Action Plan

Built into the experience are also embedded interactive role plays and puzzles:

Getting Started
- The Tallest Tower (Traditional Classroom)
- Designing an Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Car (Virtual classroom)
Foundation Concepts
- Games and puzzles

Additionally, to support both interactive and real-world integration, customized games and simulations are available as PMF experience add-ons. These foster problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Separate outlines for each of the following are available:

Giving Risk a Fair Shake
Murphy’s Match
The Bridge Game
The Countdown Game
PoleStar PM Simulation

Who Should Attend

This course is for people responsible for managing, leading, coordinating, and working on projects who have limited experience or knowledge of practical, formal project management methods. Among those who can benefit from this course are:

Project managers who want to improve formal knowledge and skills
Administrators and managers responsible for coordinating, facilitating or managing projects and programs
Technical professionals and engineers moving into project leadership and coordination
General managers responsible for projects and programs
People in a whole range of roles that rely upon projects to achieve business objectives, e.g.,
- Marketing, training, and technical writing professionals
- Six Sigma consultants
- Members of process and performance improvement teams
- Participants in R&D

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