Course Details

Project Management for Non-Project Managers (Executives/Stakeholders) Training Course

Introduction

Are you an executive, stakeholder, or functional manager whose success depends on project outcomes, but you don't directly manage projects? Our "Project Management for Non-Project Managers (Executives/Stakeholders)" training course is designed specifically for you. This essential 10-day program demystifies project management jargon, providing a clear understanding of critical project phases, decision points, and how to effectively collaborate with project teams. Learn to ask the right questions, interpret project reports, and contribute strategically to project success without getting bogged down in the minutiae. Enhance your influence, improve collaboration, and ensure projects consistently deliver value to your organization.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

This course is specifically designed for professionals who frequently interact with projects, are impacted by project outcomes, or hold decision-making authority over projects, but whose primary role is not that of a project manager. This includes:

• Executives and Senior Leaders: CEOs, CTOs, CFOs, Heads of Departments, Directors.
• Functional Managers: Managers of Marketing, HR, Finance, Operations, IT, Sales, etc., who rely on projects.
• Project Sponsors: Individuals accountable for the strategic success of a project.
• Key Stakeholders: Anyone who has a vested interest in project outcomes, provides resources, or is affected by the project.
• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Providing critical input to projects without managing them.
• Team Members: Individuals who contribute to projects but are not in a project management role.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Project Management for Non-Project Managers (Executives/Stakeholders)" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental terminology, phases, and roles within typical project lifecycles (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid).
• Clearly articulate their role and responsibilities as a project sponsor, stakeholder, or functional manager.
• Effectively review and interpret project plans, schedules, budgets, and status reports.
• Identify critical project risks and issues, and understand how to contribute to their mitigation.
• Engage constructively with project managers and teams, providing valuable input and support.
• Understand the importance of defining clear project scope, objectives, and success criteria.
• Contribute effectively to project decision-making, ensuring alignment with strategic business goals.
• Recognize the early warning signs of a troubled project and know when and how to intervene.
• Communicate project expectations, progress, and concerns clearly with project teams and other stakeholders.
• Foster a positive and collaborative environment that promotes successful project delivery.

Course Modules

Module 1: What is a Project and Why Does it Matter to You?

• Defining a project vs. ongoing operations.
• The project lifecycle: From initiation to closure (overview).
• Why projects fail, and why your involvement is crucial.
• The strategic importance of projects for organizational growth and change.
• Understanding common project management jargon without becoming a PM.

Module 2: Your Role in the Project Ecosystem

• Project Sponsor: Responsibilities, accountability, and strategic oversight.
• Key Stakeholder: Identifying your influence and interest levels, managing expectations.
• Functional Manager: Providing resources, setting priorities, and ensuring team availability.
• The Project Manager's role and how to best collaborate with them.
• Understanding the "client-vendor" relationship within internal projects.

Module 3: Project Initiation: Setting the Stage for Success

• Project Charter: What it is, why it's critical, and what key information it should contain.
• Defining clear project objectives and expected business value.
• Understanding project scope: What's in and what's out.
• Identifying key deliverables and high-level milestones.
• The importance of upfront alignment and buy-in.

Module 4: Project Planning: Understanding the Roadmap

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): How it helps break down complex projects.
• Reading and interpreting a project schedule (Gantt chart basics).
• Understanding the project budget: Key cost categories and financial oversight.
• Resource planning: Knowing what resources your project needs and when.
• The basics of Agile planning: Sprints, backlogs, and iterative development (high-level).

Module 5: Risk Management for Stakeholders

• What is project risk? Identifying potential threats and opportunities.
• Common project risks you should be aware of (e.g., scope creep, resource conflicts, technical issues).
• Risk mitigation strategies: How project teams plan to reduce risk.
• Your role in identifying and escalating risks early.
• Understanding the project's contingency and reserve plans.

Module 6: Monitoring and Controlling Project Progress

• Project Status Reports: What to look for and how to interpret them effectively.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for projects: Schedule, budget, quality.
• Understanding variances: Why projects go off track and what to do about it.
• Change control process: How changes are managed and approved.
• Making informed decisions based on project data.

Module 7: Quality, Communication, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Understanding project quality: Meeting requirements and expectations.
• Effective communication channels and strategies with project teams.
• How to provide clear, actionable feedback.
• The importance of active listening in project meetings.
• Managing stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Recognizing and resolving conflicts constructively.

Module 8: Project Closure: Ensuring Lessons Learned

• What happens at project closure: Handover, final reporting, financial reconciliation.
• The importance of formal project acceptance and sign-off.
• Lessons Learned: Why they matter for future projects and how to contribute to them.
• Evaluating project success against initial objectives and business value.
• Celebrating successes and recognizing team contributions.

Module 9: Agile for Non-Agile Roles (A Deeper Dive)

• The Agile mindset and principles.
• Key Agile roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team.
• Agile ceremonies: Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives.
• Understanding Agile metrics: Velocity, burndown charts.
• How to effectively collaborate with Agile teams and understand their progress.

Module 10: Driving Project Success and Strategic Impact

• Your role in fostering a positive project culture.
• Asking the right questions to ensure project alignment and value.
• Becoming an effective project champion and removing roadblocks.
• How to challenge constructively and provide strategic guidance.
• Developing a personal action plan for more effective project interaction.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com