Project Management Essentials
Increase your productivity by establishing an efficient project management foundation. Using a simple, phase-based framework, this program will help you lessen scope creep and reduce project meeting fatigue.
Through an immersive, one-day workshop you’ll gain 10 tools and templates to help you get projects of all sizes done faster and within budget. During large and small group discussions and case studies, you’ll practice the concepts to ensure you have the skills and techniques needed to have an immediate impact when you return to work.
Who Should Attend
Anyone who desires to improve their project management skills to better meet business objectives is encouraged to attend, even if you have never managed a project before.
This program is also offered online. Learn More »
Continuing Education Units
This course provides 0.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
How You Will Benefit
- Learn the critical question that leaders need ask at the beginning of a project to determine an implementation approach, cost, schedule, and conflicts to expect throughout the project lifecycle.
- Practice and use a simple scalable framework to reach project success.
- Understand how the tools and templates can be applied in various methodologies from waterfall, to Agile, to continuous improvement such as Lean Thinking or Lean Six Sigma.
- Gain insights from practitioners on how the tools and templates are used in a variety of project scenarios to complete projects faster, lessen scope creep, and reduce project meeting fatigue.
SHRM Preferred Provider
The Center for Professional and Executive Development is a Preferred Provider with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Agenda
Introduction and Review of Project Complexity
- The role of project complexity on project management
- Project vs. Process
Dealing with Project Challenges
- Schedule and budget constraints
- Changing requirements and resource constraints
Managing Scope by Understanding Constraints
- Working with sponsors using a constraints matrix
- Using communication plans for both stakeholder and constraints management
Project Initiation Tools
- Managing roles and responsibilities using RACI
- Elements necessary for effective project charters
Project Planning Tools
- Using a Work Breakdown Structure to eliminate gaps in the project plan
- WBS creation with remote teams
The Project Plan
- Estimating and Sequencing Work Packages
- Introduction of risk analysis
Project Execution and Working the Plan
- Managing an effective status meeting
- Dealing with changes to project scope
Project Closure and Program Wrap-Up
- Project Closeout Checklist
- Project Retrospectives
Jacqueline Riphenburg
Jacqueline has over 15 years of experience leading, training, and coaching teams and executives to achieve operational excellence. She has played a transformative role in Lean Six Sigma implementations in both public and private sectors.
As a current lean customer value consultant at American Family Insurance, Jacqueline engages with diverse groups to achieve Lean maturity growth and business results. In her prior role as a process improvement manager at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Jacqueline created vision and set strategy for the Agency’s Lean and portfolio management programs.
Jacqueline has a passion for developing others and continuous education. She is a dynamic leader and has developed and delivered numerous Project Management and Lean Six Sigma courses.
Jacqueline received her M.S. and B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Manager.
Scott Converse
For over 2 decades Scott has developed courses in his areas of expertise, which include project management, portfolio management, gathering business requirements, process improvement using Lean Six Sigma, business statistics, and decision making. He also has over a decade of applied experience in the field as a former information technology director and as a technologist for an internetworking software developer.
Scott has developed programs for a variety of audiences ranging from novices to experienced professionals to C-level executives. Clients have included Fortune 500 firms, the United States military, government, higher education, and not-for-profit agencies.
Scott is a Six Sigma black belt and received his M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds a B.S. degree in physics from UW-Eau Claire.
Daily Schedule
Program: 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lunch and Breaks are Included with Program Registration
Program Check-In will be 7:30-8:15 a.m. on the first day of the program.