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Project management has evolved over the past four decades as a method by which one can manage complex multidisciplinary efforts of a technical or non-technical nature. This workshop introduces this extremely useful technique to novices and to seasoned practitioners in a structured manner.

The key tasks of the project manager, namely planning the project and controlling the execution of the work, are dealt with by using a total process-based view of the project over its total life as a point of departure. In this way all management and supporting functions, such as contracting, team building, conflict management, etc are put into an overall perspective and are related to one another.

This workshop qualifies for NZ Trade and Enterprise's Capability Development Voucher Scheme.

This workshop is for those who have, or are about to have, responsibility for managing projects at any level. It assumes that participants have no previous formal training in project management. It is not focused to any particular sector or industry, and as such, is applicable for any industry, the private and public sectors, for-profit companies and not-for-profit organisations, and any individual or organisation wishing to develop a more strategic, focused and managed approach to delivering projects.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• understand the total project life cycle within a wider business context
• communicate regarding this topic in a standardised terminology
• define the work content of a project
• plan all the project functions
• control the project in terms of cost, schedule and deliverables
• deal with issues such as staffing, contracts, conflict, etc that support the project management effort
• be aware of parameters to sensibly select project management software.

Project Definition:

• Principles of project management and where they may be applied
• Components of the total project life cycle and why each is needed
• Establishment and control of contractual, cost, schedule and performance baselines
• Definition of a work breakdown structure for a project

Project Planning:

• Preparation of a statement of work
• Allocation of resources to tasks
• Definition of task logic (programming the project)
• Allocation of time as a resource (scheduling the project)
• Preparation of a project budget

Project Control:

• Cost control by determining cost variance
• Schedule control by determining schedule variance
• Control of the technical/deliverable aspects of the project

• "Sometimes these courses sound great, but end up being a series of headings which just sum up the original question. Piet had real substance to his course."
• "Easy to follow course set at a comfortable learning pace by a terrific presenter."
• "Very real world approach makes the adoption of the learning easy to envisage."
• "Was one of the best presented courses I have attended for many years."
• "Course was great and venue was excellent."
• "A course many people running any project should attend."
• "Overall very good. Piet, I especially liked the development of a logical approach to starting and running a project. Personally I liked your style and sense of humour. Well done."
• "This course gave me a very good understanding of projects and the basics of how they work. This will assist me in my role and further career development."
• "I think the course content was great and delivered in a way which drew the theory into a practical world.
• "I enjoyed the humour, changing pace of delivery. Piet did a fabulous job of gauging the mood of the group and adapting accordingly."
• "Interesting and well presented. My challenge is to effectively implement it!"
• "Very useful and learned a lot about budgeting and the importance of closing a project out properly."
• "The course was well run and its content was stimulating."