Learning Solutions for Increased Project Performance

Level: Foundation/Intermediate
Length: 5 hours (Two 2.5 hours sessions)
PDUs/Contact Hours: 5

Once the important early criteria of the project charter and requirements documentation is completed, the project manager and project team must delve more deeply into planning. The Project Management Institute in its PMBOK guide devotes almost half of its processes to project planning. Carpenters have a saying, “Measure twice, cut once.” In this two-part session, there will be an emphasis on creating two of the most important artifacts: the Work Breakdown Structure and the project schedule.

The Work Breakdown Structure is extremely important because, done correctly, it will give the team a visual sense of the project’s scope. This vital document will also help all stakeholders to better understand what is in (and out) of scope. As importantly, the project schedule will clearly demonstrate all the tasks and milestones of the project with all tasks linked and end dates clearly shown.

Case studies will be used to demonstrate real-life scenarios for application of project management techniques. Exercises will include creation of a Work Breakdown Structure, as well as a project schedule.

Participants will:

• Gain a better understanding of what it means to truly plan a project correctly.
• Have a more realistic idea of what is in and out of scope.
• Better understand dependencies between tasks.
• Learn how to develop a realistic Work Breakdown Structure and project schedule.