Workshop on Leading Project Managers (Leading and Managing Project Managers)

Program Overview:

For organizations to fully maximize the environment of management by project there would be need to increase the skills of the project performance effectiveness of the organizations’ managers and executives. This will help build a climate that supports effective project management practices such as accurate and useful estimates, accelerated delivery, project stakeholder partnerships, and emphasis on quality, in-depth analysis, and effective communication. 

This program will help LPMs to identify information expected from Project Managers, to improve project success, and describes the actions to focus upon, to add value in every project initiative in their areas of responsibility.

For Whom:

This program is designed for managers, senior managers and top management executive responsible for leading and managing project managers.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• define leadership role in each phase of project life cycle;
• outline reasons for project failures and successes;
• set KPIs to monitor ongoing project progress;
• support project managers and project teams through on-going coaching, mentoring and rewards;
• select project management tools and techniques to help the organization to be successful;
• manage internal and external influences that affect project managers performance;
• increase productivity by challenging the processes and motivating project managers; and
• foster productive communication and effectively manage conflict.

Course Outline:

Day 1: The Role of Leader of Project Managers (LPM) in Project Life Cycle

• Managing the stage gate process
• The project environment
• The role of management in each phase of life cycle
• Defining project success within the organization
• Organizational factors affecting project management
• Knowing the organization project management process

 Day 2: Managing Multiple Project Environment

• Importance of rank ordering projects across the organization
• Managing multiple issues
• Resource allocation
• Issue resolution
• Resource pool consideration

Project Initiation

• Project selection
• Project charter
• Project funding
• Stakeholders’ considerations
• Financial tools
• Understanding margins

Day 3: Leading and Managing Project Managers

• Challenges of leading and managing project managers
• Identifying, developing, evaluating and retaining project managers
• Rewarding success

The Role of LPMs in Project Planning

• Risk Management
• Cost estimates

• Resource allocation
• Communication management
• Project plan review
• Project plan approval

Day 4: Managing Relationships       

• Communicating across the organization
• Managing expectations
• Management styles
• Mentoring and coaching
• Conducting effective meetings
• Supporting project managers of virtual teams
• Supporting diversity and cross-cultural teams
• Conflict management and resolution

Day 5: The LPMs Role in Project Implementation

• Project manager and team performance
• Asking the right questions
• Management oversight
• Determining project performance measurement tools
• Project reviews
• Project audits
• Understanding signs of trouble
• Project recovery and turn-around
• Change management

Project Close-out

• Early termination
• Lessons learnt

Training Methodology

Lectures, discussions, exercises, and case studies will be used to reinforce these teaching/learning methods.