Creating the Environment for Successful Projects 
An Executive Program

A 1-day, 7 PDU (.7 CEU) instructor-led program  Poor project management wastes a firm's scarce technical resources and costs a firm lost business opportunities. Research repeatedly shows that executive support is essential to project success and that lack of executive support is a leading cause of project failure. Creating the Environment recognizes that all projects require executive leadership to create a culture that fosters success. Executives must understand the project management process, recognize the strategic importance of every project, and effectively communicate that importance to the organization. This program will enable executives to ensure that projects are completed efficiently, predictably, and profitably. The program begins with a review of the basic concepts and definitions used in project management. Then you'll analyze the elements of the project management environment that contribute to a successful project: strategic balance, clear priorities, and flexible support. The program introduces the Project Success® Model for project managers, supporting managers, and executives of the firm. Finally, you'll explore our research-based 14 competencies of a successful project manager, and the 44 processes defined in PMI's Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (The PMBOK Guide). The program features Herding Cats®, a hands-on, interactive project simulation, to recreate a typical multi-project environment. You'll experience the project life cycle step-by-step, including the various forces that work against project success. The program is interactive, provocative, engaging, and valuable. You'll leave knowing what you must do to create the environment for successful projects in their firms. Upon completion, you will be able to: ·   Describe how better project management leads to better business results  ·   Delineate the PM responsibilities of: a project manager, a middle manager, an executive ·   Create an enabling resource environment for successful projects ·   Understand the mechanics of range-based estimation and earned-value performance management ·   Take concrete steps to improve the practice of project management in your organization Who will benefit? ·   Executives who are involved in enhancing the project management environment ·   Supporting general managers who are responsible for maintaining and improving the project management infrastructure ·   Project managers who would like to know more about creating a better infrastructure for projects Agenda Morning ·   Why should you improve your project management environment? ·   What should you include in a good business model for a project? ·   What are the three levels of the PM environment? ·   How do you determine a project manager's level of competence in a useful way? ·   What are The PMBOK Guide's processes for project management? ·   What are the critical project planning tools? ·   How do you improve your estimating ability? Afternoon ·   How can you best measure project performance? ·   What will increase your company's project process improvement? ·   What are the high-gain questions to ask at a phase review? ·   How do you make best use of the earned-value ratios?