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Project Planning Breakthroughs

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About this Course

The Project Planning Breakthroughs Workshop focuses on the challenge of providing practical improvement
solutions to organizations that often already know the basics of project management. This is accomplished
by two important breakthroughs: For the novice, Project Planning Breakthroughs provides a streamlined
overview of the basics, while focusing on the rigorous challenges to developing the crucial element of the
project Execution Plan. For the veteran, PPB provides a brief, yet relevant overview to the basics with a strong emphasis on a vastly improved method for developing the project Execution Plan.

A 3-day workshop using case study projects to implement theory and techniques for success.
Participants will plan and work in teams to complete 4 case study projects of increasing scope and complexity

Audience

Anyone, novice or veteran, who manages, supports or initiates projects.

At Course Completion

• Develop a complete and comprehensive Objective Statement; the foundation of a successful project

• Create a detailed Execution Plan using a unique process called Objective Driven Logic, applied to a Time-Scaled Dependency Chart

• Apply a simple, yet powerful method to resolve complex resource constraints

• Calculate a detailed Budget and Cash Requirement Projection

• Integrate contingency planning through “Scenario Estimating”

• Determine where and when to best apply project management software

• Bring final closure to the project through the application of a 3-level review process.

Course Outline

Introduction:

Projects have existed since before the Pyramids, and yet as a professional discipline it is relatively new.

We start by looking at the development of project management in both traditional and non-traditional

project organizations. Here we discover the challenge of the Two Worlds of Work and how Project work

differs from Operational work and identify where projects come from. We then examine the five stages

in a new framework for managing assignments and project. As well, we discuss how project management

fits in with Strategic Planning.

Unit 1 Genesis:

In the beginning… This unit looks at how we clarify exactly what the project is all about and what it is to

achieve. Through the use of an Objective Statement, we define the Project Charter along with the Scope

Statement in a unique but powerful format. Along with this we examine the roles and responsibilities within the project team, especially the crucial relationship between the Project Manager and the Project Sponsor.

Unit 2 Design:

In any successful project it is imperative that we determine “what” is going to be created before

figuring out “how” to create it. This unit focuses on the requirements for both the conceptual and

the detailed design. It is here that the fundamental elements of Performance Criteria are brought

to bear. “When we are all finished, what will we measure the final outcome to determine our level

of success.”

Unit 3 Execution Planning:

Whether you are a novice just starting out on your first project, or you are a seasoned veteran who’s been

involved with projects for decades, this is the unit that will pay the largest dividends. The PPB program

will present a unique, world-class combination of methods, tools and skills that will produce the most

effective execution plan in the most efficient manner. Through the use of generically crafted case-studies,

we will discover how easy it is to determine the tasks, their duration, dependencies and schedule. Also,

we will allocate resources and through an ingenious technique, resolve even the toughest resource

conflicts. To top it off, we will tackle the thorny issue of project budget, as well as the costs of ‘crashing’

(shrinking) the project schedule.

Unit 4 Execution:

Once the Execution Plan is complete we need to consider the reality of change and its implication on

the project and the four interdependent variables – Quality, Scope, Schedule and Cost. Here we investigate

the challenge of handling incremental as well as transformation change. The latter is tackled through

a step-by-step approach that is designed to dissipate the ever-present possibility of panic. The other key

challenge at this point is how does the individual or small team deal with their respective tasks. And at the

same time, how do they cope with the challenge of Two Worlds of Work… their operational commitments

and their project commitments.

Unit 5 Reviews:

Nothing is worse than going through all the effort and heartache of a project, good or bad, only to rush off at

the end without the satisfaction of bringing about final closure. In this unit we will counter the age-old excuse;

‘I don’t have time.’ The time spent here is often repaid many times over as important lessons are remembered

and passed on to other project teams. Our unique ‘3-review’ process ensures a positive morale

boost as participants and nonparticipants alike enjoy the satisfaction of seeing a job come to full completion.

successful influencing experience.

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