Building a team that understands and utilizes strong project management skills is like conducting Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture. You set the purpose and the tempo, collaborate on the planning, implement with excitement and energy, monitor and control the work phases, and after achieving and delivering the project objectives, close out the project with a celebration before moving on to something else.

High Performance

Providing your employees with proven project management skills and tools ensures your teams are prepared to work efficiently and effectively.  In the past Project Management (PM) training was often offered to only engineers and managers.  In today’s business climate businesses recognize that all team members, even those managing administrative tasks, benefit from learning how to utilize PM tools and methodologies.  We may still refer to their job titles as Administrative Assistants, but their roles and responsibilities have increased tremendously from the days of answering the phone and typing.  Today they are more likely to be providing project coordination, analysis, customer service, and data management.  Collaboration, communication, leadership and teamwork, along with other 21_^st century project monitoring, tracking and reporting skills, are valuable to every team member regardless of title.

Most PM training programs, including EMI’s Navigating the Way to a Successful Project ©, focus on transferring an understanding of project management concepts using the Project Management Institute’s, Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as a guide. Armed with the concepts, language, methods and tools of project management, the entire team can approach project goals focused on the importance of meeting milestones, discussing risks and determining how to mitigate them, and controlling costs associated with labor, as well as expenses. Breaking the project down into phases helps team members manage the activities that must occur in each stage of the project in order for the project to successfully progress to completion.

Project Phases

Phase I – Inititation – This is when projects are identified, prioritized, authorized, and the project team begins to come together.   Depending on the size of the organization, project managers (PMs) may be involved in this phase, or management may determine priorities and authorizations before getting PMs involved.

Phase II – Planning – This phase involves developing the design of the project including tasks such as:  creating the Work Breakdown Structure, aligning tasks with budgeted hours and schedule deadlines, defining deliverables, developing a communications plan, and assessing and planning for risks that may or may not impact the success of the project.

Phase III – Implementation – This phase involves the team working together to carry out the project tasks with timely check-ins and input from project stakeholders.   This is a time of high energy and excitement as the project shapes a difference for the future.

Phase IV – Monitoring and Controlling – In this phase the team is responsible for monitoring and measuring progress, as well as taking corrective action when necessary.  Eyes follow the schedule, costs, quality and the probability of completing the project as planned. 

Phase V – Closing – This phase involves formalizing acceptance of the project and bringing an orderly end to the team’s work together.  In addition to having the project accepted by the stakeholders, there usually is a review of lessons learned and things to improve on next time, as well as a celebration of team successes before reassigning team members.

Each phase uses methods, tools, and processes that promote efficient performance; many of which are computer-based.  With so many software choices available to assist PMs today, organizations such as TopTen Reviews have formed to fill the niche of providing assistance with making the right application choice for specific project needs.

Providing your team members with the opportunity to develop project management knowledge will not only improve the performance of your team, but will also increase the satisfaction of your stakeholders.  Please call us if we can assist you with your project management training needs.  If appropriate, we can customize our 2-day Program to include your project terminology, forms, and processes.