Project Review Mentoring Workshop
Overview
What can be done to help project managers become more effective,
whether they have limited experience or substantive experience?
Only so much can be learned in a lectured classroom environment,
even with case studies and group exercises. The next best thing
to one-on-one mentoring is to take the classroom into the real
world and bring the real world into the classroom. This workshop
does just that by focusing the workshop's attendees on analyzing
ongoing real projects for areas of improvement and areas of praise.
The participants come to the workshop prepared to have their projects reviewed by the instructor and by their workshop peers. By the conclusion of the workshop, the attendees are armed with a list of recommendations to take back to their projects and implement. No theory and schoolbook jargon here, only specific real-world solutions to real-world problems.
Length of Workshop
Typically two days. The length of the workshop depends on the
number of projects being reviewed, the complexity of the projects
and the number of workshop attendees.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is for Project Managers, MIS/Functional Managers,
Team Leaders, Quality Assurance Personnel, Project Management
Office Personnel and Individual Team Members who are interested
in improving their contributions and overall success of their
projects. Attendees should have a basic understanding of project
management concepts. Great booster for seasoned
project managers.
At least some project management experience. It is recommended, but not required, that the workshop participants have completed the workshop, "The Essentials of Software/IT Project Management: Best Practices." This core workshop will help define common terminology. It also will lay the foundation for establishing an effective project management culture both within a project and across an organization of multiple projects.
You Will Benefit
You can gain benefit from the workshop by:
 |
Preparing (before the workshop) and delivering a presentation that focuses on the current state of your project and providing a self-assessment of your project. |
|
Having your project reviewed by an experienced project management instructor/consultant/mentor, experienced project manager attendees and other workshop attendees. |
|
Obtaining reinforcement for those project practices that are contributing positively to your project. |
|
Receiving a list of project-related problems that require attention. |
|
Receiving a list of recommendations to pursue to strengthen the probability of success of your project. |
Your Seminar Experience Will Cover
| 1. | The Soft Skills Element - Understand the importance of leadership to the success of a project and the leadership skills that contribute to the success of project leaders. |
| 2. | Roles and Responsibilities - Understand the roles and responsibilities of the project manager and other project leaders. |
| 3. | Problem Identification and Solutions - Identify big-ticket problems that derail projects and solutions to help you avoid, recover, or minimize their impact. |
| 4. | Planning and Tracking - Learn the impact that effective (and ineffective) planning and tracking can have on the outcome of the project. |
| 5. | Metrics - Identify metrics that can be effective in planning and monitoring key work activities. |
| 6. | Vendors and Subcontractors - Learn how to effectively train and engage vendors and subcontractors towards the achievement of project success. |
| 7. | Project Reviews - Learn how to review projects for maximum benefit with minimal effort. |
| 8. | Culture Training - Learn how to create a productive, successful business culture for your project. |
| 9. | Improvement to Your Project - Receive objective, candid, constructive remarks that can, in many cases, significantly improve the outcome of your project. |
Instructional Methods
Full class participation in reviewing ongoing projects, discussion,
group exercises, and some lecture.
Workshop Size
Up to 20 participants is optimal. From one to five projects can
be reviewed depending on the size and complexity of the projects.
The greatest benefit is gained if at least several key players
from a project attend together.
Notes
This workshop is an unusually powerful tool in showing how to apply project
management concepts to ongoing projects. The more project experience that
participants bring to the workshop, the more they and others will benefit
from the workshop. Attacking people is not permitted; however, attacking
problems is encouraged and welcomed.