Project Management Fundamentals

Project Management Fundamentals (PMF100)

Course Length: 3 days
Delivery Methods: Available as private class only
Course Overview

This course, Project Management Fundamentals, offers a comprehensive introduction to the essential principles and practices of project management, equipping your team with the skills to successfully lead projects from start to finish. Whether you're training an entire department or enhancing the skills of a single team member, this course is designed to provide a solid grounding in project management concepts and processes.

We start with an Overview of Project Management, where you and your team will learn the definition of a project and the role a project manager plays. This section covers foundational topics such as the Triple Constraint and how various project environments can impact project execution. An engaging quiz ties the section together, ensuring a deep understanding that serves as the basis for more advanced topics.

Next, we explore Project Management Processes and their role within the project life cycle. Here, participants will discover the characteristics of different project phases and gain insights into various knowledge areas essential for smooth project execution. Interactive elements are included to showcase these processes in action, offering practical applications that reinforce learning.

In the Starting the Project section, you’ll focus on developing essential project documents, such as the business case, project charter, and management plan. Potential change management strategies are discussed to provide a robust framework from which to launch any project. The section concludes with a challenging quiz to test your newly acquired knowledge.

The course proceeds to Communications Management, focusing on identifying stakeholders and managing their expectations through carefully crafted communication plans. Through exercises and quizzes, you will learn to enhance the efficiency and transparency of communications within your project team.

Next, the Collecting Requirements session emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing project requirements. Participants will engage in role play and other interactive exercises to overcome common planning challenges and learn to manage the life cycle of requirements effectively.

With Defining Scope and Creating the Work Breakdown Structure, you’ll gain the skills needed to outline project scope clearly and break tasks into manageable components. A guided exercise is included to practice developing a work breakdown structure, culminating in valuable practical experience.

Moving forward, the Developing Project Schedule lesson offers an eight-step approach to constructing an effective project schedule. Participants will create network diagrams, identify critical paths, and complete a project schedule exercise to gain hands-on experience with these concepts.

In the Developing the Project Budget segment, learn how to manage project costs from documentation through final approval. This section covers budgeting assumptions, cost aggregation, and aligns budget planning with funding schedules. Interactive scenarios and review exercises ensure that budgeting skills are honed effectively.

The Managing Project Risk section introduces risk management strategies to help teams anticipate potential project hurdles. Participants will practice identifying and analyzing risks through exercises and quizzes that reinforce proactive risk management.

Through the Executing the Project module, focus on managing teams, measuring progress, and utilizing status reporting. An innovative simulation and quiz help practice these skills, ensuring readiness to lead projects efficiently and effectively.

The course concludes with Closing the Project, covering essential closure activities such as performing process reviews, assessing stakeholder satisfaction, and preparing for administrative closure. Participants complete their learning experience with exercises that encapsulate their newfound project management expertise.

By the end of this course, participants will be well-equipped to manage projects effectively, improving productivity and achieving organizational objectives. Whether for individual learners or company-wide teams, Project Management Fundamentals is your go-to course for building competent project leaders.

Course Benefits
  • Enhanced understanding of project management concepts and practices
  • Improved ability to manage project constraints such as scope, time, and cost
  • Increased proficiency in communication and stakeholder management
  • Advanced skills in requirement gathering and scope definition
  • Ability to effectively develop project schedules and budgets
  • Improved risk management strategies
  • Experience in project execution and monitoring for successful outcomes
  • Knowledge of project closure processes and capturing lessons learned
  • Preparation for potential project management certifications
  • Hands-on experience with practical exercises and quizzes
Course Outline
  1. Overview of Project Management
    1. Introduction
    2. What Is a Project?
    3. What Is Project Management?
    4. The Triple Constraint
    5. What Is the Role of the Project Manager?
    6. The Project Environment
    7. Triple Constraint Scenarios
    8. Triple Constraint Scenarios Review
    9. Overview of Project Management Quiz
    10. Conclusion
  2. Overview of Project Management Processes
    1. Introduction
    2. Project Life Cycle Characteristics
    3. Project Phases
    4. Processes
    5. Knowledge Areas
    6. Project Management Processes in Action
    7. Project Management Processes in Action Review
    8. Overview of Project Management Processes Quiz
    9. Conclusion
  3. Starting the Project
    1. Introduction
    2. Development of the Business Case
    3. Using a Statement of Work
    4. Developing the Project Charter
    5. Defining the Project Management Plan
    6. Defining the Change Management Process
    7. Project Planning Exercise
    8. Project Planning Exercise Review
    9. Starting the Project Quiz
    10. Conclusion
  4. Communications Management
    1. Introduction
    2. Identifying Project Stakeholders
    3. Manage Stakeholder Expectations
    4. Stakeholder Communication Plan Exercise
    5. Stakeholder Communication Plan Exercise Review
    6. Communications Management Quiz
    7. Conclusion
  5. Collecting Requirements
    1. Introduction
    2. Cost of Changes
    3. Impediments to Good Planning
    4. Reasons for Planning
    5. The Requirements Life Cycle
    6. Managing Requirements
    7. Requirements Gathering Role Play
    8. Requirements Gathering Role Play Review
    9. Collecting Requirements Quiz
    10. Conclusion
  6. Defining Scope and Creating the Work Breakdown Structure
    1. Introduction
    2. Creating the Work Breakdown Structure
    3. Create a Work Breakdown Structure for a Wedding
    4. Create a Work Breakdown Structure for a Wedding Review
    5. Defining Scope and Creating the Work Breakdown Structure Quiz
    6. Conclusion
  7. Developing Project Schedule
    1. Introduction
    2. Step 1: Document the Scheduling Assumptions and Constraints
    3. Step 2: Gather Activity Estimates
    4. Step 3: Construct a Network Diagram
    5. Step 4: Determine the Critical Path
    6. Step 5: Determine Calendar Dates and Create the Ideal Schedule
    7. Step 6: Assign Resources
    8. Step 7: Publish the Schedule for Final Review
    9. Step 8: Gain Final Approval
    10. Project Schedule Creation Exercise
    11. Project Schedule Creation Exercise Review
    12. Developing Project Schedule Quiz
    13. Conclusion
  8. Developing the Project Budget
    1. Introduction
    2. Project Costs
    3. Project Cost Management
    4. Step 1: Document the Budgeting Assumptions and Constraints
    5. Step 2: Gather Activity Estimates
    6. Step 3: Aggregate Cost for All Activities
    7. Step 4: Align the Budget with Funding Schedules
    8. Step 5: Establish the Cost Baseline
    9. Step 6: Determine a Contingency Reserve Budget
    10. Step 7: Publish the Budget for Final Review
    11. Step 8: Gain Final Approval
    12. Budget Calculation Scenario
    13. Budget Calculation Scenario Review
    14. Developing the Project Budget Quiz
    15. Conclusion
  9. Managing Project Risk
    1. Introduction
    2. Definition of Risk
    3. Risk Tolerance
    4. Project Manager's Role
    5. Developing a Risk Management Plan
    6. Risk Identification and Analysis Exercise
    7. Risk Identification and Analysis Exercise Review
    8. Managing Project Risk Quiz
    9. Conclusion
  10. Executing the Project
    1. Introduction
    2. Managing the Team
    3. Managing Change
    4. Measuring Progress
    5. Status Reporting
    6. Project Execution Interactive Simulation
    7. Project Execution Interactive Simulation Review
    8. Executing the Project Quiz
    9. Conclusion
  11. Closing the Project
    1. Introduction
    2. Performing Process Reviews
    3. Assess Stakeholder Satisfaction
    4. Lessons Learned
    5. Administrative Closure
    6. Closing the Project Exercise
    7. Closing the Project Exercise Review
    8. Closing the Project Quiz
    9. Conclusion
Class Materials

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of materials, including course notes and all the class examples.

Class Prerequisites

Experience in the following is required for this Project Management class:

  • Basic understanding of business concepts
  • Familiarity with organizational structures and functions
  • Strong communication skills
  • Proficiency in using standard office software (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets)
  • Ability to work collaboratively with teams
  • Time management skills
Live Private Class
  • Private Class for your Team
  • Live training
  • Online or On-location
  • Customizable
  • Expert Instructors
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